First FOC Standard TEJAS Completes Maiden Flight
This feat was achieved by the HAL in 12 months once the Drawing Applicability List (DAL) and SOP by Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) were released, said the official
17 March 2020 will be a Red Letter Day for the Indian Aviation Industry. The Indian Air Force is a step closer to getting a fully combat-ready indigenous supersonic fighter with the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Final Operational Clearance-standard (SP-21) making its first successful test flight in Bangalore on Tuesday.
The first Light Combat Aircraft in FOC standard (SP-21) took to the skies for maiden flight. @drajaykumar_ias @SpokespersonMoD @DefProdnIndia @gopalsutar @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/e6Nq3AEOYX
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) March 17, 2020
SP21, the first Light Combat Aircraft in FOC standard took to the skies on Tuesday and remained Airborne for around 40 minutes. This was the maiden flight of this aircraft which was piloted by Air Cmde KA Muthana (Retd), the Chief Test Flying (Fixed Wing).
The supersonic jet fighter aircraft, whose earlier non FOC version TejasMK1 is already in Squadron service with the IAF, took-off from HAL Airport in Bengaluru at 12:30 pm and flew over Bengaluru before making a perfect landing. The HAL plans to deliver 16 Tejas FOC fighter by the end of April 2021.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan credited the entire LCA Tejas team for the successful maiden flight of the fighter jet in a press release by the defence PSU major. Apart from HAL, the other organisations involved in the development of LCA Tejas are Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), IAF and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
“HAL achieved the momentous feat within a record time of 12 months after release of Drawing Applicability List (DAL) and SOP by CEMILAC. This would pave way for production of remaining 15 fighters from the FOC block which are planned to be delivered during the next financial year. The FOC aircraft are equipped with advanced features such as Air-to-Air refuelling, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile system, etc. It imbibes a lot of manufacturing improvements which were based on the operational feedback of LCA IOC fleet with IAF,” said the press release.
What Does The FoC Aircraft Have Onboard?
According to HAL the FOC aircraft are equipped with advanced features:
• These include Air-to-Air refuelling, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile system, and other features
• It also comes with a lot of improvements. These manufacturing improvements are based on the operational feedback of LCA IOC fleet with IAF, says the HAL
Minister of State, Defence, Shripad Naik had on February 5, 2020, stated in the Lok Sabha that IAF will induct 20 Tejas FOC jets with a break-up of 16 fighters and 4 twin-seater trainers. IAF already has 16 Tejas in its 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu.
