The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered the first Lakshya-1 (pilotless target aircraft) to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, at a function held recently. K. Naresh Babu, HAL’s Managing Director (Bangalore Complex) handed over the delivery documents to Director (Production) BDL, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) P.K. Srivastava.

“The aircraft has been delivered ahead of schedule in record 15 months against 24 months of normal manufacturing cycle time,” said Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL.

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, Bengaluru. These aircraft are used by Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and DRDO.

Lakshya-1 is originally designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment and is fully indigenous UAV. It 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 in live fire engagement.

It is powered with PTAE-7 Engine which is the first ever aero gas turbine engine designed and developed in India at HAL facility (Aero Engine Research & Development Centre, Bengaluru) and successfully inducted into the services. This engine credits itself for being the only flight worthy engine produced in India.

Further HAL is planning to take up the manufacturing of next generation version of pilotless target aircraft, Lakshya-2 which is also designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment.