Shattering Glass Ceilings: India’s first woman Weapons Systems Officer

Tejaswi Ranga Rao is the first woman to be selected as a Weapons Systems Officer in the Indian Air Force’s frontline air-dominance fighter aircraft, Sukhoi-30 fleet. She will be directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of a military aircraft.

She completed her schooling in Chennai and joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) while pursuing her  BSc in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Genetics from Bangalore. She trained at the Navigation Training School of the Indian Air Force for a year and graduated from the Air Force Academy.

She is also a recipient of the president’s plaque for not only acing but topping the navigation course. This achievement is a first among women in the history of the navigation course.

“Another glass ceiling shattered. A woman in control of the Su-30 cockpit for all mission-related weapon systems is definitely a first for the IAF. In a multi-crew fighter cockpit, it is essential that the pilot and the WSO work in tandem towards mission accomplishment. Having a good WSO doing her job takes off half the mission pressure from the pilot in front who now can direct his spare mental capacity towards flying the airplane,” said Wing Commander AR Giri (retired), who is a former IAF pilot.

She expressed gratitude to her parents who helped her realize her dream. She also thanked her mentors and instructors for being supportive and guiding her to achieve her goals which have paved the way for opportunities for women to play a vital role in this field.