BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Tuesday successfully carried out a “hot refueling” procedure on the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas. The procedure was followed by a sortie.
“The system performance during the refueling session was in-line with design requirements and was satisfactory,” HAL said in a statement, adding that the aircraft is now inching closer to the final operational clearance (FOC).
HAL claimed that in the history of
IAF aircraft,
LCA will be the first one to fly with this unique capability of hot refueling and HAL has successfully demonstrated this on LCA
Tejas LSP8 aircraft.
Hot refueling is a single point pressure refueling of the aircraft with the engine in operation. It is a process by which a fighter aircraft is refueled (in between sorties) while its engine is in operation, thereby cutting down the refueling 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 refueling to begin. Further, with this, a major requirement of LCA
Air Force Mk1A has been achieved,” HAL said.
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