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Pilot-less aircraft Lakshya successfully flight tested February 20, 2008 19:35 IST India's indigenously developed pilot-less target aircraft 'Lakshya' was successfully flight tested from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, about 15 km from Balasore, on Wednesday. PTA Lakshya, fitted with a digitally controlled improved engine, was developed by the aeronautics development establishment, Bangalore, to perform discreet aerial reconnaissance of battlefield and target acquisition. Usually, the flight duration of the six-feet-long micro light aircraft is 30-35 minutes and after covering three to four laps in the sky, it drops to the ground with the help of a parachute. 'Lakshya' had been tested several times earlier and to further check its engine viability and duration enhancement, today's test was undertaken from the launch complex-2 of the ITR, defence sources said, adding that, "It is a routine trial." 'Lakshya', a sub-sonic, re-usable aerial target system, is remote controlled from the ground and designed to impart training to both air-borne and air defence pilots. It has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force since 2000, the sources said.
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