BALASORE: The defence personnel on Friday successfully flight tested the advanced version of Pilot-less Target Aircraft (PTA), Lakshya, for the second time in a week. Earlier, on Monday they had tested a digital version of Lakshya. The micro-light aircraft was test flown by the Indian Air Force personnel from the launching complex-II of the Integrated Test Range at about 12 noon. The officials of Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), which has developed the aircraft, were present during the test. Defence sources said the flight test of Lakshya was successfully conducted at very low altitudes. Earlier, the users had indicated their requirement of flying the PTA at 15 to 25 metres above sea level to simulate trajectory of low-level cruise missiles. “The flight test was of nearly 35-40 minutes duration controlled by Ground Control Station and the low altitude flight was proved over 10 km range,” said an official. The flight was stable and well controlled. Mobile launcher to launch the PTA from anywhere and GPS to locate for recovery were used successfully, sources added. The pilot-less aircraft also demonstrated its manoeuvring capability simultaneously simulating manoeuvring attacking aircrafts. The system has been designed so that two targets can be flown and controlled by the Common Ground Control Station (CGCS).
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