Navy LCA to take to skies this month

BANGALORE:  Though consistent delays have dogged the progress of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-MK-II), the LCA (Navy), NP1 prototype however, is all set to make its flying debut later this month. Confirming the first flight, V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Director General  said, “LCA (Navy) will be flown in December.”He told reporters, that the aircraft was going through a phase of refinements. He said all the feedback, suggestions and observations during the Engine Ground Run (EGR) and taxi trials was being looked into before the aircraft takes to the skies for the first time.“Price negotiations with Snecma are in progress. It may take a couple of months more,” he said after confirming that the price negotiations for joint production and joint development with French Snecma of the Kaveri aero engine for Air Force version of the LCA (Tejas-MK-II) aircraft.It was stated that the IAF had scrutinised the proposals for the engine technical specifications and had given the nod for the venture with the French company.