Question: The naval version of Tejas aircraft conducted its maiden flight from which of the following aircraft carrier?
(a) INS Vishal
(b) INS Vikramaditya
(c) INS Arihant
(d) INS Khanderi
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
- After completing extensive trials on the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF), naval version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) did a successful arrested landing onboard on Kiev-class aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on January 11, 2020.
- Commodore Jaideep Maolankar conducted the maiden landing.
- Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is originally developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Important Highlights:
- The MoD pronounced the successful take-off and landing as an “important milestone.”
- With the completion of this feat, the indigenously developed niche technologies specific to deck based fighter operations have been proven, which will now pave the way to develop and manufacture the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter for the Indian Navy, which is expected to proudly fly from the aircraft carriers by the year 2026.
- The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been working on a twin-engine medium-weight fighter jet for the Indian Navy’s future carrier force.
- Tejas aircraft took off for the first time last November with two beyond visual range (BVR) and two close combat air-to-air missiles (CCM) from Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa, near Dabolim in Goa.
- At INS Hansa, Goa, over 50 ski jump take-offs and landings were conducted by Tejas LCA. The first arrested landing was carried out in September 2019.
Links:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1599123
https://thediplomat.com/2020/01/naval-version-of-indias-tejas-fighter-conducts-maiden-flight-from-aircraft-carrier/