The test flight of Lakshya, which means target, took place at 1:55 pm (10:25 GMT) from the remote Chandipur testing range on India's eastern coast, 200 kilometres (124 miles) from here.

Already inducted into the Indian air force in the year 2000, Sunday's trial used an improved engine and other sub-systems developed by India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), the sources said.

The Lakshya subsonic is a reusable aerial target system remote controlled from the ground.

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