The Naval LCA Tejas. (via IndiaDefenceRA/Twitter)Naval variant of the indigenously developed and manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully completed its maiden arrested landing attempt today (13 September).
The landing with arrestor wires was achieved at the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) by a two-seater variant of the aircraft in Goa, as reported by The Hindu.
The successful landing is a major step in the aircraft’s development whose naval versions can now be deployed on aircraft carriers with the capability. Once the aircraft completes several successful trials on the SBTF, it will demonstrate a landing on India’s Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
The naval variant of the Tejas has several customisations made to the air force variant to allow it to operate from aircraft carriers. The naval variant has stronger landing hardware allowing it to be airborne within 200 meters as compared to the 1000 meters with normal runways. It also sports a special hands-free-take off mode making it easier for the pilot to operate.
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