Bengaluru: The Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is likely to be extended by a few months due to a delay in the arrival of two crucial components from the United Kingdom.
Highly-placed sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) told Express that they are waiting for the air-to-air refuelling probe and nose cone from the UK to complete all tests required for the OFC. “According to earlier schedule, the FOC was expected by March. However, components from the UK will arrive in April, and after integrating them, various tests have to be conducted by DRDO and IAF. That may take around six months,” a source said.
When contacted, Dr K Tamilmani, distinguished scientist and DG (Aero), told Express that the process to obtain the FOC was on track. “Two aircraft are ready and have successfully conducted various tests, including the release of missiles and bombs. Once we get the components from the UK, we will integrate them and conduct the rest of the tests. The FOC will be obtained by this year end,” Tamilmani said.
In the FOC configuration, the LCA will be more agile and lethal as compared to the aircraft in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration. The Angle of Attack (AoA) has been enhanced from 22 to 24 degrees. In fact, the aircraft was recently tested up to an AoA of 26 degree and it performed well, a DRDO official said.
17/02/15 Ramu Patil/New Indian Express
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Highly-placed sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) told Express that they are waiting for the air-to-air refuelling probe and nose cone from the UK to complete all tests required for the OFC. “According to earlier schedule, the FOC was expected by March. However, components from the UK will arrive in April, and after integrating them, various tests have to be conducted by DRDO and IAF. That may take around six months,” a source said.
When contacted, Dr K Tamilmani, distinguished scientist and DG (Aero), told Express that the process to obtain the FOC was on track. “Two aircraft are ready and have successfully conducted various tests, including the release of missiles and bombs. Once we get the components from the UK, we will integrate them and conduct the rest of the tests. The FOC will be obtained by this year end,” Tamilmani said.
In the FOC configuration, the LCA will be more agile and lethal as compared to the aircraft in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration. The Angle of Attack (AoA) has been enhanced from 22 to 24 degrees. In fact, the aircraft was recently tested up to an AoA of 26 degree and it performed well, a DRDO official said.
17/02/15 Ramu Patil/New Indian Express
