The Naval Prototype (NP2) made its maiden flight on February 7 for about
35 minutes. Mr. T. Suvarna Raju, Chairman of HAL said dedicated efforts
of engineers of Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) for the complex
landing gear design, which is significantly different from the Air Force
version made this flight possible. |
The
flight was piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, an experienced Test Pilot
from Indian Navy with the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC). The launch
was accomplished under telemetry control exercised by Test Director,
Commander J D Raturi and Safety Pilot, Commodore J A Maolankar, the
Chief Test Pilot of NFTC. The chase aircraft cover was provided by LSP2
piloted by Gp. Capt. Suneet Krishna (Retd) with the Test Director being
Gp. Capt Prabhu and the Safety Pilot being Gp. Capt. RR Tyagi.
The design teams were guided by Programme Director ADA, Mr P S Subramanyam
ensured that systems meet the stringent requirements of Carrier borne
aircraft. The teams were ably supported by the Certification agency,
CEMILAC and the Quality Assurance agency, CRI (LCA), Indian Navy, DRDO
agencies, CSIR agencies (NAL & CSIO), other Public and Private Sector
participants.
The event marks the growth of indigenous LCA (Navy) program, aimed to
achieve Carrier Compatibility technology demonstration including arrested
landing and ski-Jump take off, initially from the Shore Based test facility,
Goa.
The success of maiden flight of NP 2 is a testimony to the efforts put
in by scientists and engineers to enable flight of the first LCA Naval
Fighter. With one trainer and fighter in its stable “the indigenous
carrier borne fighter program is making headway snf acquiring momentum”
The ADA LCA (Navy) Programme Office, under Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) is
exhilarated by the addition of NP 2 as a Flight Test platform. NP 2
has been built with vision and foresight. It addresses several systemic
deficiencies observed whilst making progress on flight test of Naval
Prototype 1. It incorporates most avionic hardware components promised
to the customer, Indian Navy. During design and build NP 2 has been
customized (Plug & Play) to incrementally accept modifications for
Carrier Landing aids like Levcon Air Data Computer, Auto-throttle, external
and internal Angle of Attack lights. NP 2 is the lead aircraft for arrestor
hook integration, Derby Beyond visual Range missile and tactical data
link. The inclusion of NP 2 into the LCA (Navy) flight test stable is
a significant milestone in the indigenous Carrier borne aircraft development
program. |
