BANGALORE: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first Lakshya-1 (pilotless target aircraft) to Bharat Dynamics Limited (Hyderabad), which will be used by the Indian Army in the coming days. "The aircraft has been delivered ahead of schedule in record 15 months against 24 months of normal manufacturing cycle time", said Dr RKTyagi, chairman, HAL. Lakshya-1, originally designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO, is a training aid high-performance reusable target system. It realistically simulates enemy aircraft for air-to-air and surface-to-air weapon system operators and permits proficiency assessment and improvement of weapon crew during live fire engagement. It can be noted here that HAL is the only company in the country producing UAVs like pilotless target aircraft. The company has so far produced 39 Lakshya-1 aircraft at its aircraft division in Bangalore. These aircraft are used by Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and DRDO. In coming months, HAL is planning to take up the manufacturing of next generation version of Lakshya-2 which is also designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO.
It will be used Test Aircraft to test SAM DRDO like to test future SAMs like BARAK 8 and ASTRA SAMs simulating LAKSYA as target enemy. it will be much helpful for assessment of these missiles
New system are purchased to replace structurally older-er and weaker air-frame LAKSYA.. LAKSYA merely use as carrier platform for target pods which are dropped at certain altitude, And these are targeted by SAM and AAA..
I am a little confused here. Is this an old lakshya or a new one? If its old how come its the first delivery? If its new, why isn't it named as Lakshya-2?
