Naval Tejas NP-1 to have its first flight by March : DRDO

SOURCE : IDRW NEWS NETWORK

Dr. Prahlada DRDO’s chief controller in an interview has said that ADE is gearing up for the first flight of Naval Tejas Prototype NP-1 by March this year , Original plans were to have the first flight by end of 2010 but it has been delayed to ensure that all critical new technology which will be integrated in Naval Tejas goes through smoothly in ground test phase .
NP-1 was rolled out in great roll out ceremony which was held in July last year in presence of Defense Minister A.K. Antony which was also attended by high ranking officials from Air force , Navy and DRDO . Dr. Prahlada also told that delay by 3 or 4 months will not have major impact on the whole Naval Tejas Project .
Currently a Special runway development is under way in Indian Navy’s air base in INS Hansa , this runway which will be mock a aircraft carrier runway deck will be used to test Naval Tejas and also future pilots of Navy that includes current fleet of  BAe Hawk AJT , Mig-29k , N Tejas  and new Multi role aircraft to be acquired soon by Indian Navy for the second and third indigenous aircraft carrier .