Naval Tejas MK1 NP-5 moved from the assembly line, taxi trial soon for TEDBF testbed

Source : IgMp Bureau

Representative Image

In a significant development the Naval Tejas Mk 1 NP-5 trainer has completed its fabrication and has been moved from its assembly line to another section of the Light Combat Division of Hindustan Aeronautics facility in Bengaluru where it will start low and high speed taxi trials followed by its first flight next month.

The NP-5 will be used as a Technology Demonstrator project for the Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program.

The NP-5 will be used to carry out of nominal landing trials during which it will mimic bad weather conditions that could affect the rear fuselage and landing gears during carrier landing in adverse weather conditions and the collected data will be crucial for the development of landing gears for the TEDBF program by Hindustan Aeronautics and any design changes that could be required for the aircraft to last its operational lifespan.