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TEJAS India’s fifth LCA takes to skies on maiden flight
Bangalore, Dec 1 (UNI)

The prototype aircraft of Tejas, PV3, had its flawless maiden flight today.
 It was flown by Group Capt Harish.
 It is the fifth light combat aircraft to take to the skies, joining the fleet of two technology Demonstrators (TD1 and TD2) and two proto vehicles (PV1 and PV2), according to the Aeronautical Development Agency, which comes under the Ministry of Defence.
 ‘‘The perfect maiden flight is a result of maturity gained in development of various systems, building of the aircraft to better and better quality, and thorough ground testing,’’ an ADA statement said.
 The LCA programme, in spite of all the setbacks it had due to US sanctions, has moved forward and has completed more than 570 flights, ADA said. Eleven Test Pilots from IAF who have flown and evaluated these aircraft have adjudged the handling qualities as one of the best in its class.
 The aircraft, having proved as a good flying platform, is now getting converted into a good weapon platform, with the integration and testing of various weapons and sensors planned over the next 18 months,the statement said.