The first series production example of India’s Tejas Mk1 light combat aircraft (LCA) completed its maiden flight on 30 September. The single-engined aircraft took to the air – without any telemetry support – from Hindustan Aeronautics’ (HAL) airport in Bengaluru, and landed safely after a flight lasting less than 30min.
HAL has been contracted to build 20 of the fighters to an initial operational clearance (IOC) standard, which was obtained in December 2013. Final operational clearance is due before the end of this year, with another 20 examples to be built to this standard.
Planned production rates call for the delivery of eight aircraft per year to the Indian air force, although HAL is likely to be able to ramp up deliveries to that rate only by 2017.
02/10/14 Atul Chandra/Flightglobal
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HAL has been contracted to build 20 of the fighters to an initial operational clearance (IOC) standard, which was obtained in December 2013. Final operational clearance is due before the end of this year, with another 20 examples to be built to this standard.
Planned production rates call for the delivery of eight aircraft per year to the Indian air force, although HAL is likely to be able to ramp up deliveries to that rate only by 2017.
02/10/14 Atul Chandra/Flightglobal
