Tejas gets night capability

India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft achieved an important milestone when it took to the skies in the night, meeting all its test objectives.

In its maiden flight by night, the Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft took off at 8.05 pm from Bangalore airport on Friday and carried out a set of predetermined manoeuvres to demonstrate its night capability, a DRDO release said.

The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt N Tiwari of the National Flight Test Centre. Wg Cdr R K Dash as the Test Director along with several senior officers of the Tejas Programme was at the telemetry station monitoring the progress of the flight. The flight met all its test objectives, the release said.

“The night qualification marks an important step towards achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC),” the release said, adding, “the flawless flight will pave the way for systems and weapon integration for delivery by night”.

“The modifications for achieving night capability has been worked out by a team in Aeronautical Development Agency and supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd supported by IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA,” it was stated.