Indian fighter Tejas passed first night tests

03.05.2011 Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics has completed first series of flight tests of new fighter Tejas, reports Flightglobal. The aircraft's capabilities to lock on targets and deliver air strikes in the night time were tested during the flights. According to India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the tests were successful, and the fighter proved its capability to be used in night operations.

Second phase of night tests will start in two months. When those tests are finished, Tejas would be commissioned into Indian Air Force. The fighter is equipped with pulse-doppler radar EL/M-2032 made by Israel Aerospace Industries. Designator LITENING made by Israeli company Rafael is used for target illumination. Those two components were checked during night tests of Tejas. Tejas was designed as a substitution for obsolete Soviet fighters MiG-21. The aircraft is capable to accelerate up to 1,900 kph; its flight range makes about 2,000 km. Tejas is armed with 23-mm gun, 8 stations for various missiles, guided and regular bombs.

Tejas is presently used as a basis for further development of deck-based version for Indian Navy, training two-seater airplane, and advanced version Mark II.