Bengaluru (NVI): Indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) today conducted its first flight after getting the Final Operational Clearance (FOC), paving the way for production of the remaining 15 fighters from the FOC block which are planned to be delivered during the next financial year.
The maiden flight was conducted at HAL Airport in Bengaluru.
“Piloted by Air Cmde KA Muthana(Retd), Chief Test Flying (Fixed Wing), the aircraft took off from HAL Airport at around 1230 hours. It was airborne for 40 minutes,” said a statement issued by the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) which has built the fighter plane.
R Madhavan, CMD, HAL. said the flight signifies exemplary teamwork between various stakeholders of LCA Tejas programme such as HAL, DGAQA, CEMILAC, IAF, ADA etc.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has achieved the target within a record time of 12 months after the release of Drawing Applicability List (DAL) and SOP by CEMILAC, the statement said.
“This would pave way for production of remaining 15 fighters from the FOC block which are planned to be delivered during the next financial year,” it added.
