A new book titled Paper to Flight, documenting the development of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy, was released on October 19 in Bengaluru. The book, authored by Cmde C.D. Balaji (Retd), former Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), details the journey of the naval fighter aircraft from its conception to its flight testing phase. Published by Pentagon Press, it is the first book covering the LCA Navy program, developed jointly by ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the Indian Navy.
During the launch event, Dr. V.K. Aatre, former chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), discussed the challenges encountered during the early stages of the program. He highlighted how critical systems, such as the landing gear and arrester hook, were successfully developed by the team.
Dr. Kota Harinarayana, another former ADA Director, expressed his appreciation for the detailed documentation in the book, noting that it simplifies the complexities of the program for a broader audience. Cmde Balaji (Retd) recounted how the initial assumptions about the required changes from the Indian Air Force version to the Naval variant underestimated the challenges. He described the adjustments needed for components like the landing gear and the establishment of specialized test facilities, including the Shore Based Test Facility in Goa.
The event was attended by key officials from DRDO, ADA, HAL, the Indian Navy, and other aerospace organizations. The book is priced at ₹995 and is available for purchase on major e-commerce platforms.
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