Bangalore, Dec 1 (PTI) Software-intensive fourth generation Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (second prototype vehicle), indigenously designed and developed by India, joined the test phase today with its maiden flight here.
Its maiden flight launched at 1010 hours was successful and met all flight test objectives, DRDO officials said.
Capability of Tejas aircraft as a flying platform, has been demonstrated with 474 flight tests carried out utilising two technology demonstrators and one Prototype Vehicle.
"Creditable fly past of Tejas aircraft in three international Aerospace Expositions - Aero India (held at Bangalore since 2001) and twice-a-day aerobatic display during Aero India 2005 was a tribute to indigenous self-reliance efforts," DRDO said.
There is a "quantum jump" in the build standard of Tejas (PV2), which is software intensive fourth generation combat aircraft built to the production standard. Besides having high percentage of composite materials in Airframe Structure, it incorporates a state-of-the-art, integrated, modular avionics system with open architecture concepts to facilitate easy hardware and software upgrades and re-usability.
Avionics Systems of Tejas (PV2) provides excellent Pilot Vehicle Interface in glass cockpit having an all round panoramic view to reduce the pilot's workload and to increase the situational awareness.
The maiden flight of Tejas (PV2) is an extremely significant landmark in Indian Tejas full-scale engineering development programme. Flying and testing of this prototype will lead to induction of the first batch of production standard LCAs, Aeronautical Development Agency officials said.
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