Continuing its success on various recent projects, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has now flown the first FOC (final operational configuration) upgraded Mirage 2000 aircraft on July 28, 2016 adhering to the scheduled date. “We have done it again on time. What it proves is HAL’s capability of midlife upgrade of platforms to overcome obsolescence issues, enhance the reliability and maintainability of these aircraft. The introduction of state-of-theart facility created for this project ensures the timely upgradation of the Mirage fleet”, said T. Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL.

The FOC design was implemented on an initial operational configured (IOC) aircraft which was received at HAL only about eight months ago. “This significant milestone could be achieved by the dedicated efforts of the HAL’s team of designers and engineers with active support from IAF, RCMA and DGAQA”, added Raju.

The initial operation configuration was designed by the Dassault and Thales of France. HAL took up the FOC design and development activities. The FOC configuration covers the integration of Indian specific weapons, sensors and EW system. This FOC upgrade on Mirage 2000 gives additional capability of airto-ground weapon, training, helmet mounted display, etc. The system having a unique feature of integrating different types of database for IOC and FOC configuration is achieved without any degradation. The total design and development was done by HAL which includes mission computer hardware, OFP software, system design, aircraft modification, etc. The company is responsible for the IOC and FOC upgrade of the Mirage fleet of IAF.

The first flight of 45 minutes was piloted by Group Captain C. Subramaniam (Retd), Chief Test Pilot of HAL from the front cockpit, and Wg. Cdr Haldikar of ASTE, IAF, in the rear cockpit. Group Captain A. Mishra of IAF was the test director.