In a key step towards attaining final operational clearance (FOC) from the India Air Force, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is undergoing weapon trials, including firing air-to-air missiles to test its capability to bring down enemy planes.
As part of its first phase trials to fire bombs and missiles, Tejas underwent tests of its aerial skills a few days ago at a Jaisalmer range in Rajasthan.
The tests will continue till the end of this month during which the indigenously developed fighter plane will fire laser-guided bombs. A series of tests will be held in different conditions, DRDO officials said in New Delhi on September 23.
This is part of the development trials of the LCA Tejas for the purpose of FOC. More such trials will take place in coming months, they said.
The aircraft was inducted into the IAF in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration in January 2011.
Following the successful trials and necessary changes in its configuration, Tejas is expected to get the FOC by December 2012.
Before attaining the FOC, the aircraft will be subjected to intensive weapons trials at several locations, including mountainous regions of Leh.
By 2014, a total of seven squadrons (over 120 aircraft) of the advanced version of the fighter aircraft, LCA MK-II with upgraded system and capabilities would be inducted into the IAF.
As part of its plans, IAF will rely on a mix of the Su-30 MKI, 126 Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and the indigenous LCA as its combat assets by the end of this decade.
