IAF inducts two Tejas fighters into 45 Squadron

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday inducted two Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) into its 'Flying Daggers' 45 Squadron here.

Southern Air Command Air Officer Commanding-in Chief Air Marshal Jasbir Walia received the certified documents of the indigenous fighters from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman T. Suvarna Raju at a function here.

IAF test pilot and commanding officer of 'Flying Daggers' Group Captain Madhav Rangachari flew one of the multi-role aircraft for about 10 minutes from the Aircraft System Testing Establishment of the air force under a cloudy sky and windy conditions.

The only of its kind fighter in the world, the 'Made in India' Tejas has been designed and developed by state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by HAL at its Bengaluru complex in the city's eastern suburb,

Prior to its induction, the fourth generation-plus advanced fly-by-wire fighter has flown about 3,000 sorties for 2,000 hours till date without a single mishap.

Equipped with the latest satellite-aided inertial navigation system, the tandem twin-seater supersonic aircraft has a digital computer-based attack system and an autopilot.

The fighter is capable of carrying four tonnes of weapons and firing air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions like laser-guided bombs.

The LCA is also equipped with helmet-mounted display and has a distinctive 'glass cockpit' in which information is displayed real-time to the pilot.

--IANS

fb/rn/dg