Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is the smallest lightweight multirole supersonic aircraft in the world. The aircraft has been designed to fly at a maximum speed of 1800 km per hour. With state-of-the-art technologies in every aspect of design and development, this single-seat, single-engine tactical fighter from India is among the best in the world in its class.

In order to make it the most reliable aircraft, a number of test facilities and integration rigs have been developed for qualification of LCA systems and sub-systems. They include Iron Bird-hardware-in-the-loop simulator for Integrated Flight Control System (IFCS), Real Time Simulator (RTS), Dynamic Avionics Integration Rig (DAIR), Cockpit Environmental Facility (CEF), Engine Test Bed Secondary Power System Test Rig, Fuel System Test Rig, Environment Control System Test Rig, Wing Test Rig, Structural Coupling Test Rig, Electrical System Test Rig, Lighting Test Facility (LTF), Undercarriage Drop Test Rig and Brake Dynamometer.

The first test-flight of LCA technology Demonstrator-I was successfully carried out on January 1 last year. The second successful flight was carried out on June 6 this year. Regular flight-tests are being carried out to check any discrepancy in the components of the aircraft. Up till now fifteen test flights have been successfully carried out. It is also proposed to demonstrate the flight during Aero India- 2003 in Bangalore.

Initially, the LCA project was started with interim GE404F2J3 engine of USA. However, at present it has a fully indigenously built Kaveri, a twin spool low bypass turbofan engine with flat rated thrust for tropical conditions to enhance combat power. The other main features are : full authority digital electronic control unit for engine control, external fuel tanks and in- flight refuelling capability to enable long range deployment and a jet fuel starter for ground starts and inflight relight. The mission of LCA programme is to design and develop a world-class fighter for Indian Air Force to replace MiG series of aircraft and to create technology base within the country for such a development as for survival in today's battlefield, agility and manoeuvrability are crucial.

The use of advanced aerodynamic, structural, avionics and control system design methodologies and systems has given LCA an all-weather, day/night capability with excellent mission and point performance. LCA's emergence has led to the development in state-of-the-art materials, manufacturing processes, computational and test facilities at the national level, taking the country to technological self-reliance. LCA signifies the dawn of the new era in fighter development in India.

The development efforts for the LCA are spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Department of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). ADA's responsibility includes project design, project monitoring and promoting the development of advanced aeronautic technology of relevance to the LCA. Several laboratories of the DRDO have contributed to the LCA Programme. Development of LCA flight control system at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Kaveri engine development at Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), carbon brake pads and Kevla radome at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), multi mode radar at Electronics Research and Development Establishment (ERDE), design of control law at Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Control and Coding Unit at Research Centre Imarat (RCI), brake parachute at Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), integrated life support system at Defence Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (DBEL), investment casting for JFS at Defence Material Research Laboratory (DMRL), electronic warfare suite at Advance Systems Integration and Evaluation Organisation (ASIEO) and Hack aircraft at Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) composed the programme. National Aerospace Laboratory, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and other laboratories such as Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and SAMEER have also contributed in a significant way. Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and other academic institutions actively participated in some of the software development activities. Thus, the technology base created for LCA amply demonstrates a national will to achieve self-reliance in the defence sector.