In a First, IAF Lands Jet on Yamuna Expressway as Part of User Trial

NEW DELHI: In a first, a Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force today successfully landed on the Yamuna Expressway near Mathura as part of trials to use national highways for emergency landing.

The aircraft landed at about 6:40 AM, senior IAF officers said, adding that the force has plans to activate more such stretches on highways in the future. The IAF has been considering the use of national highways for emergency landing by fighter aircraft.

IAF Mirag 2000 lands at yamuna expressway at Mathura. IAF plans to do it at other highways @PrabhuChawla pic.twitter.com/KsnYuKOPMn

— Pradip R. Sagar (@pradiprsagar) May 21, 2015

For today's trial, all facilities like make shift Air Traffic Control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were set in place by the IAF. "The operation was conducted in coordination with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Agra and Mathura," an IAF statement said. The aircraft first made a practice approach on the highway coming down to 100 metres before landing on the next approach.

"The IAF has been considering the use of national highways for emergency landing by fighter aircraft. This capability was demonstrated by the IAF," an IAF officer said, adding that the jet had got airborne from a base in central India.

The Mirage-2000 is a single seater air defence and multi-role fighter of French origin powered by a single engine that can attain maximum speed of 2,495 km/hr (Mach 2.3). It carries two 30 mm integral cannons and two matra super 530D medium-range and two R-550 magic II close combat missiles.

"The aircraft made practice approach on the highway, coming down to a height of 100 meters, before landing," the officer said. The IAF has plans to activate more such stretches on the highways in the future."

The fighter plane skimmed the highway and landed briefly before it took off again on the stretch of Yamuna Expressway near Mathura. The 165-km long Yamuna Expressway connects Delhi from tourist destinations of Mathura and Agra. IAF helicopters undertook several observation sorites before the jet landed.

The officer added the exercise was done in coordination with district administration of Agra and Mathura, and all necessary security preparations were in place. "All facilities like makeshift air traffic control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were put in place by IAF personnel from the Air Force Station Agra.

"Thereafter, in coordination with the district magistrates and SPs (superintendents of oolice) of Mathura and Agra, necessary tie-ups were effected for activating the selected stretch," the officer said. The entire operation was carried out with active support from the Uttar Pradesh government, Yamuna Expressway Authority, toll authorities of JP Infratech and the police.

^{(With Inputs from IANS)}