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BALASORE (Orissa): India on Tuesday successfully tested the indigenously developed Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) Lakhya from a defence base in Orissa for the second time in two days.
It was test flown from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore, 215 km from the state Capital Bhubaneswar, at 12.05 pm.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this is reportedly an improved version of PTA, which was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2000.
Lakhya, a sub-sonic, reusable aerial target system, is remote-controlled from the ground and designed to impart training to both airborne and air defence pilots for weapon engagements.
On Monday, scientists had test flown a PTA from the same test range as part of a target stimulation exercise.
Two fighter aircraft, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar, flown from the Kalaikunda air force base in West Bengal targeted a tow body suspended from PTA, one after another.
Scientists from the Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bangalore, were present during the exercise.
