India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) successfully demonstrated a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air  Missile (BVRAAM) firing capability on 12th May by releasing its first Derby BVRAAM in radar-guided mode.

The Indian Ministry of Defence indicates that the missile launch was performed in Lock-On After Launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed.

The objective of the test was to assess Derby missile integration with Tejas onboard systems including avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and Missile Weapon Delivery System and to verify its performance.

The test was conducted on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The sensors at ITR also tracked the target and missile.

A safe separation was followed by missile guidance towards the radar-acquired target. According to the Indian MoD statement, all planned objectives were achieved.

The test paves the way for the BVRAAM capability promised on the second batch of 83 Tejas aircraft ordered in November 2016.