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Light combat aircraft to be flight-tested by year-end

The Light Combat Aircraft, one of the main projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, is likely to be flight-tested by the end of the year, says Aeronautical Development Establishment Director Dr K G Narayanan.

Talking to reporters after delivering a lecture on 'Avionics -- Key Technology for Future Aviation' at the Indian Science Congress, Dr Narayanan said more than 50 per cent of the components had been integrated. The engine and software for flight control systems was currently undergoing validation 'on ground', a process that is likely to be completed over the next eight months, he said. He added that testing was being done for various flight conditions, including simulated failures.

Speaking at the engineering sciences session earlier, Dr Narayanan said avionics was now regarded as a key determinant of mission effectiveness of both military and civil aircraft and was expected to play a dominant role in the future of aviation.

Modern combat avionics incorporated in the aircraft accounts for as much as 50 per cent of its total cost, Dr Narayanan said, stressing on the importance of the electro-optic sensors, head -up displays and "smart" equipment in modern aircraft.

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