India starts working on its own Seaplane

lcafanboy

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India starts working on its own Seaplane


As a deal to acquire amphibious plane US-2 from Japan seems to have stuck in a whirlpool, India has quietly started working to build its own Seaplane.

Government-owned HAL has taken a lead to design and develop the amphibian aircraft around its multi-role Do-228 aircraft which is considered the backbone of the Macy’s transport fleet.

The HAL has floated an RFI (Request For Information) seeking partnership for design and development of such an aircraft.

“Under Make in India initiative, HAL intends to design and develop a Seaplane version of HAL built Do-228 aircraft. Towards this, HAL-TAD Kanpur invites information, from reputed design agencies or manufacturers only, for consultancy or to partner in design and development of an HAL built Do-228 aircraft to a Seaplane version,” the RFI said.

“The HAL started working on the project in October 2015 ? a year after India and Japan announced negotiations on the US-2 ? when HAL quietly called the attention of global airframers and design houses,” defence news blog Livefist quoted sources in the company as saying.

Three aeronautical engineers from HAL’s Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) in Bengaluru presented a paper at the Aero India Seminar month titled ‘Conceptual Design of Amphibious Aircraft’.

The paper, offered what HAL described as ‘An optimized design approach addressing key features like hydrostatic stability, dynamic stability, wave handling, and water performance is conceptualised with due care for aerodynamic characteristics and overall performance figures, the report said.

A fleet of over 100 Do-228 aircraft currently fly with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard, with more on order. HAL is also set to unveil a civilian version of the aircraft later this year.

The disclosure about the project comes at time when the deal for US-2 amphibians is no where near to conclusion due to several issues, including the cost of the aircraft.
http://www.defencenews.in/article/India-starts-working-on-its-own-Seaplane-250650
 

sthf

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A step forward in the right direction but Do228 based platform will not be remotely close to the capabilities offered by US-2.

On the other hand, Do228 is perfect for civilian light transport but people are obssesed with NAL Saras.:frusty:
 

ezsasa

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Mahindra manufactures sea planes in australia, i wonder if they will respond to the RFI!!!
 

Bahamut

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I would have preferred then Starting from scratch rather then use Do 228 as base, it has very limited upgrade capability.
 

singh100ful

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I would have preferred then Starting from scratch rather then use Do 228 as base, it has very limited upgrade capability.
HAL has a very good experience with Do 228 and they have upgraded it for IN as maritime surveillance aircraft.
It would be great to see it being upgraded in seaplane.
I wonder can it be upgraded with a radar and engine to make it capable of launching from Aircraft carrier similar to the greyhound & hawkeye.
 

sayareakd

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Lets take it as challenge and make it as blessing in disguise.

Surely if we can make LCA and RLV fly, surely this cant be difficult then sending satellite to Mars.
 

F-14B

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Well i would say lets build this, make it big one for military, with Kaveri engines, just like Russians have build, wont mind having missiles on it, in one go 300-400 soldiers could be send.


We have the tech and it wont take too much time.



That is an ekranoplane it relise on the ground effect theoryIt flew using the lift generated by the ground effect of its large wings when close to the surface of the water—about 4 metres (13 ft) or less. Although they might look similar and have related technical characteristics, ekranoplans like the Lun are not aircraft, seaplanes, hovercraft, nor hydrofoils–ground effect is a separate technology altogether. The International Maritime Organization classifies these vehicles as maritime ships
 

Bahamut

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Well i would say lets build this, make it big one for military, with Kaveri engines, just like Russians have build, wont mind having missiles on it, in one go 300-400 soldiers could be send.


We have the tech and it wont take too much time.



They are reactivating the project.3 types- cargo carrier, missile carrier and for asw. They are good but have limited range, good enough for a offensive if distance is less.
 

Bahamut

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HAL has a very good experience with Do 228 and they have upgraded it for IN as maritime surveillance aircraft.
It would be great to see it being upgraded in seaplane.
I wonder can it be upgraded with a radar and engine to make it capable of launching from Aircraft carrier similar to the greyhound & hawkeye.
They could make a larger plane capable of carrying 20-30 people and has more power and a apu with more range and payload. Do 228 is a nice aircraft but has limited export or upgrade potential.
 

charlie

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That is an ekranoplane it relise on the ground effect theoryIt flew using the lift generated by the ground effect of its large wings when close to the surface of the water—about 4 metres (13 ft) or less. Although they might look similar and have related technical characteristics, ekranoplans like the Lun are not aircraft, seaplanes, hovercraft, nor hydrofoils–ground effect is a separate technology altogether. The International Maritime Organization classifies these vehicles as maritime ships
of course they are ships they should never be categorized as aircraft or seaplanes.

One of the issue back then and still is they had high speed and not enough maneuverable to avoid ships or tanker in their path.

Though they had radars still if they are allowed near a busy shipping lane then it would be a disaster.
 

Indx TechStyle

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A step forward in the right direction but Do228 based platform will not be remotely close to the capabilities offered by US-2.
Who's going to make US-2 like Seaplane in first attempt?
On the other hand, Do228 is perfect for civilian light transport but people are obssesed with NAL Saras.:frusty:
Nothing wrong,
Saras platform is necessary to have expertise on further airliner tech.
 

sthf

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Who's going to make US-2 like Seaplane in first attempt?
Certainly not us and its a good thing.

Nothing wrong,
Saras platform is necessary to have expertise on further airliner tech.
It's a bad design man. NAL bit off more than it can chew. An organisation which has no experience or expertise went on to design an unconventional design and the result is right in front of us.
 

Indx TechStyle

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An organisation which has no experience or expertise went on to design an unconventional design and the result is right in front of us.
Seriously, uncomfortable with Indian content or obsessed with imported maal.

One crash writes entire fate? It's again back lighter & stronger with more powerful engines and will fly again. Everyone is okay with it, I can't understand what's your problem.

And if you are going to act like Ostriches putting head inside hole just because you have started, you won't be getting anywhere. That's mentality which ruined Indian Aviation sector indecades.

Indian stuff may remain inferior to western standards for years but rejecting it is only going to harm India's left chances to catch up further. And finally, we have a government which is willing to do (may be just for cutting down costs but they are doing, it's not only about NAL Saras or aviation). I don't find any reason discourage them.
THIS IS OUR OWN.
Hope you get the significance.:)
 

sthf

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Seriously, uncomfortable with Indian content or obsessed with imported maal.
Neither. I love desi maal even though it may be sligthly inferior to other options, it is cheaper and could be readily available.


THIS IS OUR OWN.
Hope you get the significance.:)

And the reason I hate sarkari maal (not desi) is because most of the time it is a day late and a dollar short.
 

Indx TechStyle

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can't we convert NAL Saras in seaplane.....
No, fuselage shape issue.
Carefully observe the fuselages of all seaplanes you have ever seen, they are made like enclosed boats to float on surface of water.

Saras fuselage design isn't applicable for it, we need new design.
 

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