Pilot-less aircraft Lakshya successfully flight tested

India's indigenously developed pilot-less target aircraft 'Lakshya' was successfully flight tested from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, about 15 km from Balasore, on Wednesday.

PTA Lakshya, fitted with a digitally controlled improved engine, was developed by the aeronautics development establishment, Bangalore, to perform discreet aerial reconnaissance of battlefield and target acquisition.

Usually, the flight duration of the six-feet-long micro light aircraft is 30-35 minutes and after covering three to four laps in the sky, it drops to the ground with the help of a parachute.

'Lakshya' had been tested several times earlier and to further check its engine viability and duration enhancement, today's test was undertaken from the launch complex-2 of the ITR, defence sources said, adding that, "It is a routine trial."

'Lakshya', a sub-sonic, re-usable aerial target system, is remote controlled from the ground and designed to impart training to both air-borne and air defence pilots.

It has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force since 2000, the sources said.