India has unveiled its first indigenous naval light combat aircraft (LCA), the NP1 at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bangalore.
The NP1 will enter Indian Navy service by 2015, deployed on board the indigenous aircraft carrier being built at the Cochin Shipyard, according to ndtv.com.
HAL is preparing the aircraft to undergo systems integration tests, ground runs, taxi trials and flight trials.
The naval aircraft is capable of ski jump take-off and arrested landing and will be equipped with weapons including beyond visual range missiles, anti-ship missiles, conventional bombs, air defence guns, conventional cruise missiles and drop tanks.
The first stage of LCA navy programme includes design and manufacture of one trainer NP1 and one fighter NP2 aircraft along with a shore-based test facility (SBTF) in Goa to simulate carrier take-off and arrested landing of the aircraft.
The NP2 fighter aircraft is scheduled to complete its maiden missions systems flight by the end of 2011.
