(a) whether any test flight of the pilotless aircraft has been conducted;
(b) if so, the details thereof and its status as on date; and
(c) the time by which it is likely to be introduced in the IAF?
(a) whether any test flight of the pilotless aircraft has been conducted;
(b) if so, the details thereof and its status as on date; and
(c) the time by which it is likely to be introduced in the IAF?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) After successful developmental test flights, limited series production of 15 pilot-less target aircraft (PTA) ‘Lakshya’, a reuseable aerial target for weapon engagement training, has been undertaken to meet the requirements of the Army, the Airforce and the Navy.
(c) The first two PTAs along with the associated ground equipment have been handed over to the IAF in September, 1999.