From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 27: Inching close to Final Operational Clearance (FOC), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out a hot refuelling on indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas followed by a sortie at HAL airport on Monday. 

The system performance during the refuelling session was in-line with design requirements and was satisfactory.

In the history of IAF aircraft, LCA will be the first aircraft to fly with this unique capability of hot refuelling and HAL has successfully demonstrated this on LCA Tejas LSP8 aircraft.

Hot Refuelling is a single point pressure refuelling of the aircraft with the engine in operation.

It is a process by which a fighter aircraft is refuelled (in between sorties) while its engine is in operation, thereby cutting down the refuelling time by half and turn-around time significantly.

This capability is highly desired in combat situation which basically puts aside the need for the pilot to park the aircraft, power down and exit the cockpit for refuelling to begin.

With this, a major requirement of LCA Air Force Mk.1A has been achieved, said HAL in a media release.