ITExaminer.com September 26, 2008
Upgraded Lakshya drone completes test flight
Advanced engine successfully integrated
By Peter Larsen
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully tested an upgraded version of the Lakshya drone.
The micro-light pilotless target aircraft (PTA) was fitted with an advanced digitally controlled engine and successfully flown from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore.
The indigenously designed Lakshya was developed by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and inducted into the IAF in 2000. Production of the aircraft was initially entrusted to the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), but was later transfered to HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
According to GlobalSecurity, the Lakshya is utilised for the training of gun/missile crews and air defence pilots.
The PTA is typically ground or ship launched and lands with the assistance of a two-stage parachute system. A crushable nose cone absorbs and minimises potential damage sustained on impact.
It should be noted that Israel had once expressed interest in purchasing 20 Lakshya drones from India, but ultimately chose the US designed Chakor and KD-2R5 PTAs.
Rachel Niedek Ashkenazi of the Israeli MoD explained that the Lakshya "was [only] one of the many options that were examined". According to Ashkenazi, selection of the America UAV was dictated by "budget constraints".
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