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India test-flies pilotless Lakshya aircraft

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 5, IRNA -- India`s pilotless target aircraft `Lakshya` 
was successfully test-flown with an improved engine on Thursday from 
the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-Sea in Eastern Indian 
State of Orissa, local media reported here Thursday. 
Lakshya is a sub-sonic reusable aerial target system is remote- 
controlled from the ground and designed to impart training to both air
borne and air defense pilots for weapon engagement. 
It was test-flown at about 12:45 p.m. (local time) from the ITR 
launch complex number two and was witnessed by Indian Defense Research
and Development Organization (DRDO) scientists and officials. 
With this successful trial, the test on the aircraft is coming to 
a close, the sources said. 
Lakshya was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2000 but 
Thursday`s trial was undertaken with an improved engine indigenously 
developed by DRDO, the sources said. 
2160/BH/210 
End