India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas inched closer to its much-awaited initial operational clearance (IOC) when a limited series production (LSP-3) aircraft completed a successful First flight on April 23. The flight carried an Israeli Elta multi-mode radar.
Program Director (Combat Aircraft) and ADA Director P.S. Subramanyam, who spoke to Aviation Week soon after the flight, said it was a significant milestone in the LCA program. “We are nearing the goal. All standard operating procedures for IOC are being achieved. We are now left with flight testing and demonstration of sensors and weapon performance. I owe this to my team and all partners of the project. We are confident of flying the LSP-4 in a month and LSP-5 couple of weeks after that,” Subramanyam said.
