Bengaluru: The defence PSU often in news for 'not so good' reasons has completed production of 16th Light Combat Aircraft, and this time, without any delay. By the end of this month, the customer flights are also expected to be over. Good news is the target for completion of production was March 31, 2019. So HAL, for a change is on time.
"HAL has produced 16th LCA as per the target till March 31, 2019. The customer flights are expected to be completed by the end of this month."
Government-owned arms manufacturer has an order for 40 LCAs from Indian Airforce. Out of these 40 fighter jets, 16 jets each are to be delivered in IOC (Initial Operational Capability) and FOC(Fully Operational Capability) condition and 8 trainers. The aircraft was inducted into IAF squadron 'Flying Daggers' on July 1, 2016.
A press statement issued by HAL said "The production of LCA commenced in 2014 with a current production capacity of eight aircraft per annum. A second production line has been established at Aircraft Division (Bangalore Complex), which is carrying out structural assembly, final assembly and equipping of the aircraft".
Recently HAL had received drawings and documents related to FOC with limited clearance for LCA (Tejas) from CEMILAC and ADA. With this HAL can start working towards the production of FOC standard fighter aircraft. The first aircraft in FOC configuration may roll-out by the end of this calendar year.
LCA demonstrated its combat capability in the IAF's 'Gagan Shakti' exercise by firing the Air-to-Air BVR Derby missile. Two LCAs will be flying at the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace Expo (Lima- 2019) in Malaysia beginning tomorrow. HAL team will be providing the technical support at the show.
Ready to roll in Lima-2019 the Indian airforce tweeted "Some of 'Tejas' design features are interesting. It is the world's smallest single-seat, single-engine combat aircraft. It is of tailless, compound delta-wing design.
The aircraft will be showcasing its super maneuverability at Malaysia."