New Delhi: The Indian Air Force pilots, counted among the best in the world,, have another weapon in their armoury - 'Go/No-Go' pills.


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The Times of India reports that IAF pilots are now increasingly using pills to keep their alertness level at the optimum as well as tackle the danger called fatigue during round-the-clock exercises and long-range sorties.


These pills – 'Go' is Modafinil (alertness-enhancing) and 'No-Go' pills is Zolpidem (sedative used to treat insomnia) - are 'authorised' for use by the pilots, the report adds.


The Go pill gives the adrenaline rush required for a combat sortie and the No-Go pills helps a fighter pilot to sleep well after the mission so as to ensure that he remains sharp for the next mission.


The pills were used extensively during the 'Livewire exercises held during Oct-Nov last year. The 24x7 exercise involved activation of all the 54 air bases in the country to test both offensive and defensive capabilities in a war like situation.