The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Tejas light combat aircraft is to be equipped with a compact cockpit to increase the comfort levels of test pilots.

A rearranged and modified cockpit will be fitted in the fifth limited series production (LSP-5) platform of Tejas scheduled for its test flight in the first week of August 2010.

The layout modifications in the glass cockpit will make the aircraft more pilot friendly and enhance its night flying capabilities, according to DNA.

IAF vice-chief Air Marshall PK Barbora said a user-friendly and smart cockpit would make hand-eye coordination perfect.