LCA Navy lands on INS Vikrant.

Achieving a historical milestone, LCA Navy, the naval version of the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft successfully landed on board INS Vikrant, the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier.

The carrier is undergoing flight trials ahead of operationalisation. It demonstrates India's capability to design, develop, construct and operate indigenous aircraft carrier with indigenous fighter aircraft, the Indian Navy tweeted.

Earlier, the IN had rejected the single-engine naval LCA as its thrust-to-weight ratio was not meeting the requirements for take-off with a full load from an aircraft carrier. The naval version of the LCA has been designed with stronger landing gears to absorb forces exerted by the ski jump ramp during take-off. It can get airborne within 200 mts and land within 100 mts. 

The Indian Navy currently operates the MiG-29K fighters for INS Vikramaditya. The LCA (Navy) is only a technology demonstrator but the landing on the a/c carrier is considered an achievement as it demonstrates India's capability to develop niche technologies for deck-based air operations. It will help in developing the twin engine deck-based fighter which the IN is looking forward to.

- The NIE

My take

Bravo Zulu!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores, washing machinex of the bed linen and was ready by a half past 9. 

A massive power interruption from 1000 to 1915 hrs! Had plugged my cellphone to the power socket but had forgotten to switch on; so it had to be kept switched off for most of the day.

A quiet day otherwise.