Vikramaditya
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Its the fighter which can vertically take off and land.................
Indian Air Force: IAF Guns for 42 operational fighter squadrons by 2022
- Thread starter A.V.
- Start date
India purchased 30 Sea Harriers in 1983, using 25 of these for operational flying and the remaining to train pilots. Since then seven pilots have died in 17 crashes involving the Sea Harrier and more than half of the fleet is now gone, lost mostly to routine sorties
youngindian
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IAF presses HAL for more Sukhois
29/09/2009
NEW DELHI: Keen to deploy its most potent fighter jets at strategic airbases on both the eastern and western
fronts, IAF has asked Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to step up the production rate of the Russian-origin
Sukhoi-30MKIs.
IAF till now has inducted 98 of the 230 twin-engine Sukhois contracted from Russia, with HAL tasked to manufacture 140 of them under transfer of technology, under three deals worth a total of around $8.5 billion. IAF wants HAL to step up the production rate from the current 14 to at least 18 Sukhois per year, as also "not bunch them towards the end of the year", said a senior officer.
Apart from the initial figure of 140 Sukhois, HAL will also be assembling 40 more of these "air dominance" fighters, the procurement of which was fast-tracked through the last $1.6-billion contract.
"The first lot of these 40 Sukhois should begin to roll out from 2011 onwards," said the officer. Defence minister A K Antony, on his part, contends India will have a fleet of 230 Sukhois by 2015.
IAF, however, may be forced to go in for another deal for the ‘heavy’ category Sukhois if the gigantic $10.4-billion project to acquire 126 new ‘medium’ multi-role fighter aircraft and the proposed induction of seven squadrons (18 jets each) of the indigenous ‘‘light-weight’’ Tejas Light Combat Aircraft are ‘‘delayed beyond a reasonable timeframe’’.
The slow pace of deliveries from HAL has meant that the first of the two Sukhoi squadrons earmarked for Tezpur (Assam) in the eastern sector will only be fully operational by early-2010. Four Sukhois were based in Tezpur in mid-June as part of the overall strategy to bolster military capabilities along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control to counter China’s build-up of military infrastructure in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and south China.
Incidentally, IAF has identified Chabua (Assam), Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) as the new airbases to house the Sukhois as they come in. It already has Sukhoi bases in Pune and Bareilly, with the former also housing a dedicated training squadron for rookie pilots.
‘‘But with Sukhois not available in required numbers, training and flying operations are obviously being adversely impacted,’’ said the officer. Fresh inductions are also crucial because IAF is grappling with a sharp dip in the number of its fighter squadrons, down to just 32 from its ‘‘sanctioned strength’’ of 39.5.
IAF, of course, having already inked a Rs 3,840-crore deal with Russia to upgrade its 69 MiG-29s by 2011, is looking to sign a Rs 10,000-crore contract with France for a similar package for its 51 Mirage-2000s to enhance its combat potential.
"While a Sukhoi-30MKI, capable of simultaneously operating as a bomber and an interceptor, can be loosely said to be equal to three MiG-21s, numbers do matter at the end of the day,’’ said another officer. "We will only start feeling good as a force around 2015 and achieve 39.5 squadrons by 2017 or so. We would like 42 squadrons by 2022," he added.
IAF presses HAL for more Sukhois - India - NEWS - The Times of India
29/09/2009
NEW DELHI: Keen to deploy its most potent fighter jets at strategic airbases on both the eastern and western
fronts, IAF has asked Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to step up the production rate of the Russian-origin
Sukhoi-30MKIs.
IAF till now has inducted 98 of the 230 twin-engine Sukhois contracted from Russia, with HAL tasked to manufacture 140 of them under transfer of technology, under three deals worth a total of around $8.5 billion. IAF wants HAL to step up the production rate from the current 14 to at least 18 Sukhois per year, as also "not bunch them towards the end of the year", said a senior officer.
Apart from the initial figure of 140 Sukhois, HAL will also be assembling 40 more of these "air dominance" fighters, the procurement of which was fast-tracked through the last $1.6-billion contract.
"The first lot of these 40 Sukhois should begin to roll out from 2011 onwards," said the officer. Defence minister A K Antony, on his part, contends India will have a fleet of 230 Sukhois by 2015.
IAF, however, may be forced to go in for another deal for the ‘heavy’ category Sukhois if the gigantic $10.4-billion project to acquire 126 new ‘medium’ multi-role fighter aircraft and the proposed induction of seven squadrons (18 jets each) of the indigenous ‘‘light-weight’’ Tejas Light Combat Aircraft are ‘‘delayed beyond a reasonable timeframe’’.
The slow pace of deliveries from HAL has meant that the first of the two Sukhoi squadrons earmarked for Tezpur (Assam) in the eastern sector will only be fully operational by early-2010. Four Sukhois were based in Tezpur in mid-June as part of the overall strategy to bolster military capabilities along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control to counter China’s build-up of military infrastructure in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and south China.
Incidentally, IAF has identified Chabua (Assam), Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) as the new airbases to house the Sukhois as they come in. It already has Sukhoi bases in Pune and Bareilly, with the former also housing a dedicated training squadron for rookie pilots.
‘‘But with Sukhois not available in required numbers, training and flying operations are obviously being adversely impacted,’’ said the officer. Fresh inductions are also crucial because IAF is grappling with a sharp dip in the number of its fighter squadrons, down to just 32 from its ‘‘sanctioned strength’’ of 39.5.
IAF, of course, having already inked a Rs 3,840-crore deal with Russia to upgrade its 69 MiG-29s by 2011, is looking to sign a Rs 10,000-crore contract with France for a similar package for its 51 Mirage-2000s to enhance its combat potential.
"While a Sukhoi-30MKI, capable of simultaneously operating as a bomber and an interceptor, can be loosely said to be equal to three MiG-21s, numbers do matter at the end of the day,’’ said another officer. "We will only start feeling good as a force around 2015 and achieve 39.5 squadrons by 2017 or so. We would like 42 squadrons by 2022," he added.
IAF presses HAL for more Sukhois - India - NEWS - The Times of India
First,that the IAF is getting worried about the LCA delays and needs 5 sqds. of MK-2s,which if an alternative engine is selected,will have to be tested by 2012 to be in service in 2013.The IAF is worried that a "technological gap" will occur,while the JSF will be flying by then and that the Chinese have "something similar".This is probably the key unmentioned reason why the IAF is plumping for an MMRCA,as the MK-2 development could be further delayed as the aircraft's design will have to be modified to fit a larger new engine.
The two engines,GE-414 and EJ-200 are being considered for the LCA-MK2.The EJ has an advantage,being part of EADS,who have a contract for LCA consultancy.This might boost the chances of the Eurofighter Typhoon.The Kaveri development is nowhere in the picture and is probably going to be consigned to history.
The F-22 Raptor,which is being located only at US bases for its air national guard and reserves,including Hawaii,is being lusted after by the Japanese who are offering double the cost,about $280 million per peice! The Japanese have rejected the JSF F-35 and other variants of the F-15.According to Lt.Gen.Utterbeck, in charge of 18th Air Force,from reports by "friends",the Russian SU-30s especially and MIG-29s are more reliable these days than earlier Russian aircraft.The only aircraft that can take on the Flanker is the F-22 which is why the Japanese want it.Their F-15s are outclassd by the Chinese Flankers (SU-30MKKs).The Japanese (in other media reports) are supposed to have warned the US that it would buy the Typhoon if the F-22 was not sold to it.An interesting observation is that the Japanese islands close to the Chinese mainland are about 150-200nm away,within the F-22s AESA radar range.The F-15J's radar has a range of only about 60NM.
This evaluation of the Flanker vs JSF,etc, is also borne out by earlier posted evaluations by Oz,who have rejected any further buys of F-18SHs.According to the Oz evaluation,the further upgrades of Flankers (4+ gen),with reported more powerful 3-D TVC engines and other stealth features (internal weapons bay between the modified engine intakes,smart skins,etc.) will outclass any other fighter,JSF and Eurocanards included,other than the F-22.Acquiring a cheaper more capable Flanker than an MMRCA is an option that is tempting to the IAF.It is perhaps one reason why extra Flankers are being ordered.
Another report has more details about the Georgian War and the Russian air losses to Georgian air defences,all of Russian origin.The "double-digit" Russian SAMs of the S-300 family are particularly lethal,which is why the US and Israel do not want them to be sold to Iran and Syria.Even the '80s Russian Buk-1 SAM (SA-11),is very sophisticated and shot down 4 Russian losses,including an SU-24 and a Backfire strategic bomber(sent on a tactical bombing mission),despite Russian aircraft having good EW systems.Other extra losses claimed by an independent Russian think tank due to MANPADS are questioned by US intel,which believes the Russian figures.The Russians supposedly did not plan the offensive properly,with poor ground and air coordination.
This is supposed to be the first modern air war.Future Russian SAMs,including replacements for the IGLA MANPADS series being developed will be even more difficult to counter and even stealth capability will deteriorate in the future with newer air defences.The need today therfore is for aircraft to possess the EW ability to look for "joints and seams" in the air defences' communications networks to defeat it.
From the above reports,it is clear that the future for the IAF should lie in the advanced 5th-gen tech fighter and this project is crucial to the IAF's future regional air dominance and must be given top priority in funding and development (this is because the first flight of the PA-FA 5th-gen fighter si to take place later this year and production expected in 5 years time when the LCA-MK-2 is also scheduled to be in production!).Acquiring extra 4+ gen.SU-30MKIs,upgrades of serving aircraft and building more upgraded Jaguars and MIG-29/35s in addition,is the cheapest and common-sense way to go,if the need for the MMRCA is to make up numbers at a cost-effective price.Perhaps only the Typhoon and Rafale are the aircraft which will have a long future ahead and remain relevant if our intention is to acquire cutting edge tech. as a key priority also.The F-16 and F-18 belong to the past,with the MIG-35 a decade ahead in design.The dark horse is the Gripen,but if it comes with US strings is a dead duck,but offers a cost-effective alternative if the LCA stumbles.The IAF should take a close look at the future plans and aspirations of other air forces around the globe if we plan to spend $10 billion on just this important acquisition.
The two engines,GE-414 and EJ-200 are being considered for the LCA-MK2.The EJ has an advantage,being part of EADS,who have a contract for LCA consultancy.This might boost the chances of the Eurofighter Typhoon.The Kaveri development is nowhere in the picture and is probably going to be consigned to history.
The F-22 Raptor,which is being located only at US bases for its air national guard and reserves,including Hawaii,is being lusted after by the Japanese who are offering double the cost,about $280 million per peice! The Japanese have rejected the JSF F-35 and other variants of the F-15.According to Lt.Gen.Utterbeck, in charge of 18th Air Force,from reports by "friends",the Russian SU-30s especially and MIG-29s are more reliable these days than earlier Russian aircraft.The only aircraft that can take on the Flanker is the F-22 which is why the Japanese want it.Their F-15s are outclassd by the Chinese Flankers (SU-30MKKs).The Japanese (in other media reports) are supposed to have warned the US that it would buy the Typhoon if the F-22 was not sold to it.An interesting observation is that the Japanese islands close to the Chinese mainland are about 150-200nm away,within the F-22s AESA radar range.The F-15J's radar has a range of only about 60NM.
This evaluation of the Flanker vs JSF,etc, is also borne out by earlier posted evaluations by Oz,who have rejected any further buys of F-18SHs.According to the Oz evaluation,the further upgrades of Flankers (4+ gen),with reported more powerful 3-D TVC engines and other stealth features (internal weapons bay between the modified engine intakes,smart skins,etc.) will outclass any other fighter,JSF and Eurocanards included,other than the F-22.Acquiring a cheaper more capable Flanker than an MMRCA is an option that is tempting to the IAF.It is perhaps one reason why extra Flankers are being ordered.
Another report has more details about the Georgian War and the Russian air losses to Georgian air defences,all of Russian origin.The "double-digit" Russian SAMs of the S-300 family are particularly lethal,which is why the US and Israel do not want them to be sold to Iran and Syria.Even the '80s Russian Buk-1 SAM (SA-11),is very sophisticated and shot down 4 Russian losses,including an SU-24 and a Backfire strategic bomber(sent on a tactical bombing mission),despite Russian aircraft having good EW systems.Other extra losses claimed by an independent Russian think tank due to MANPADS are questioned by US intel,which believes the Russian figures.The Russians supposedly did not plan the offensive properly,with poor ground and air coordination.
This is supposed to be the first modern air war.Future Russian SAMs,including replacements for the IGLA MANPADS series being developed will be even more difficult to counter and even stealth capability will deteriorate in the future with newer air defences.The need today therfore is for aircraft to possess the EW ability to look for "joints and seams" in the air defences' communications networks to defeat it.
From the above reports,it is clear that the future for the IAF should lie in the advanced 5th-gen tech fighter and this project is crucial to the IAF's future regional air dominance and must be given top priority in funding and development (this is because the first flight of the PA-FA 5th-gen fighter si to take place later this year and production expected in 5 years time when the LCA-MK-2 is also scheduled to be in production!).Acquiring extra 4+ gen.SU-30MKIs,upgrades of serving aircraft and building more upgraded Jaguars and MIG-29/35s in addition,is the cheapest and common-sense way to go,if the need for the MMRCA is to make up numbers at a cost-effective price.Perhaps only the Typhoon and Rafale are the aircraft which will have a long future ahead and remain relevant if our intention is to acquire cutting edge tech. as a key priority also.The F-16 and F-18 belong to the past,with the MIG-35 a decade ahead in design.The dark horse is the Gripen,but if it comes with US strings is a dead duck,but offers a cost-effective alternative if the LCA stumbles.The IAF should take a close look at the future plans and aspirations of other air forces around the globe if we plan to spend $10 billion on just this important acquisition.
youngindian
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- May 6, 2009
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DRDO unit to develop low-cost radar system
29 Jul 2009, 0324 hrs IST
BANGALORE: The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) at Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) is all geared up to develop a
low-cost indigenous
radar system, which they claim can be similar or more advanced than the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). This will reduce India’s dependence on Israel and create more business opportunities for the local industry.
They are also in the process of developing an indigenous radar system - the airborne early warning and control system (AEWC&S) - which can be used to develop a radar similar to AWACS.
“DRDO is equipped to develop an indigenous radar system at substantially low-cost by using technologies developed for indigenous AEWC&S,” said a CABS official.
DRDO said the Rs 1,800-crore AEWC&S or ‘Eye in the sky’ is scheduled for delivery by 2011. This system alone is capable of creating business opportunities worth Rs 500-600 crore for SMEs. CABS and its other work centres at DRDO are taking the help of around 50-60 SMEs and PSUs to develop the system. Some of these include Astra Microwave, Alligator Designs, Mistral Solutions, CMC, BEL, BDL, Chaturvedi Tools, SM Creative, Cornett, Data Patterns and Ayur.
DRDO sees an immense opportunity in developing these advanced radar systems, as the Indian Air Force is looking to acquire an additional 20 such systems.
This is because six aircraft fitted with such radars can effectively cover only an area equivalent to India’s northern borders.
India had, in May 2009, taken delivery of AWACS, which is part of a $1.1-billion defence deal with Israel. The system is designed to detect aircraft at high altitude and allows operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft, even if they are hundreds of miles away.
Experts like Ajey Lele from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) said: “India needs AWACS for its security needs and it would be a welcome step, if India develops these indigenously. AWACS would provide IAF a high degree of situational awareness, enabling it to dominate the airspace.”
DRDO chief controller R&D Prahlada said the indigenous AEWC&S, to be mounted on three Embraer-145 jets, being obtained from Brazil for $210 million “will be very advanced with the latest image processing facilities and better software systems compared to foreign sophisticated radar systems”.
Scientists at CABS and its work centres like LRDE, Defence Avionics Research Establishment, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, DEAL at DRDO have developed indigenous software for tactical battle management and signal processing, which can be used in radars. “These software, if procured from abroad, could have cost more than $100 million,” said a CABS scientist.
Sources said a South African wireless solutions provider Tellumat is in talks with DRDO to have Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, which are used in programmes such as AEWC&S. Sources said the IFF sensors proposal could throw up a number of opportunities, as Tellumat may have plans to manufacture these systems in India.
DRDO is looking to engage a foreign partner to help CABS optimise the time and cost involved for integrating and evaluating the AEWC&S. Some of the contenders include Israel’s Elta, European EADS, Sweden’s Saab Erikson and the US’ Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
DRDO unit to develop low-cost radar system- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
29 Jul 2009, 0324 hrs IST
BANGALORE: The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) at Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) is all geared up to develop a
low-cost indigenous
radar system, which they claim can be similar or more advanced than the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). This will reduce India’s dependence on Israel and create more business opportunities for the local industry.
They are also in the process of developing an indigenous radar system - the airborne early warning and control system (AEWC&S) - which can be used to develop a radar similar to AWACS.
“DRDO is equipped to develop an indigenous radar system at substantially low-cost by using technologies developed for indigenous AEWC&S,” said a CABS official.
DRDO said the Rs 1,800-crore AEWC&S or ‘Eye in the sky’ is scheduled for delivery by 2011. This system alone is capable of creating business opportunities worth Rs 500-600 crore for SMEs. CABS and its other work centres at DRDO are taking the help of around 50-60 SMEs and PSUs to develop the system. Some of these include Astra Microwave, Alligator Designs, Mistral Solutions, CMC, BEL, BDL, Chaturvedi Tools, SM Creative, Cornett, Data Patterns and Ayur.
DRDO sees an immense opportunity in developing these advanced radar systems, as the Indian Air Force is looking to acquire an additional 20 such systems.
This is because six aircraft fitted with such radars can effectively cover only an area equivalent to India’s northern borders.
India had, in May 2009, taken delivery of AWACS, which is part of a $1.1-billion defence deal with Israel. The system is designed to detect aircraft at high altitude and allows operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft, even if they are hundreds of miles away.
Experts like Ajey Lele from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) said: “India needs AWACS for its security needs and it would be a welcome step, if India develops these indigenously. AWACS would provide IAF a high degree of situational awareness, enabling it to dominate the airspace.”
DRDO chief controller R&D Prahlada said the indigenous AEWC&S, to be mounted on three Embraer-145 jets, being obtained from Brazil for $210 million “will be very advanced with the latest image processing facilities and better software systems compared to foreign sophisticated radar systems”.
Scientists at CABS and its work centres like LRDE, Defence Avionics Research Establishment, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, DEAL at DRDO have developed indigenous software for tactical battle management and signal processing, which can be used in radars. “These software, if procured from abroad, could have cost more than $100 million,” said a CABS scientist.
Sources said a South African wireless solutions provider Tellumat is in talks with DRDO to have Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, which are used in programmes such as AEWC&S. Sources said the IFF sensors proposal could throw up a number of opportunities, as Tellumat may have plans to manufacture these systems in India.
DRDO is looking to engage a foreign partner to help CABS optimise the time and cost involved for integrating and evaluating the AEWC&S. Some of the contenders include Israel’s Elta, European EADS, Sweden’s Saab Erikson and the US’ Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
DRDO unit to develop low-cost radar system- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
32 MiGs crashed in last five years: Antony
New Delhi (PTI): Thirty-two MiG series aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the last five years killing eight pilots, Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said.
"32 MiG aircraft have met with accidents during the last five years and a total of eight pilots have lost their lives in these accidents," he said while replying to a query in Rajya Sabha.
In reply to another query, he said the Defence Ministry had received a letter from Uttarakhand Government regarding purchase and sale of land by the Army and the matter was sub-judice.
To another query, Mr. Antony said that India's policy has been to build up defence preparedness and not advocating an arms race.
He added that till March 2009, the armed forces had spent 99.61 per cent of the funds allocated to them in the last fiscal.
Replying to a query on anti-landmine vehicles, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the Ordinance Factory Board has manufactured 243 such vehicles in the last five years.
He said 141 of these vehicles have been given to the naxal affected states including Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand
The Hindu News Update Service
New Delhi (PTI): Thirty-two MiG series aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the last five years killing eight pilots, Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said.
"32 MiG aircraft have met with accidents during the last five years and a total of eight pilots have lost their lives in these accidents," he said while replying to a query in Rajya Sabha.
In reply to another query, he said the Defence Ministry had received a letter from Uttarakhand Government regarding purchase and sale of land by the Army and the matter was sub-judice.
To another query, Mr. Antony said that India's policy has been to build up defence preparedness and not advocating an arms race.
He added that till March 2009, the armed forces had spent 99.61 per cent of the funds allocated to them in the last fiscal.
Replying to a query on anti-landmine vehicles, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the Ordinance Factory Board has manufactured 243 such vehicles in the last five years.
He said 141 of these vehicles have been given to the naxal affected states including Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand
The Hindu News Update Service
Western suppliers approached for India's next basic trainer
Hindustan Aeronautics has issued a request for information to companies including Embraer, Finmeccanica, Grob, Korea Aerospace Industries and Raytheon to help in the design and development of a new turboprop trainer for the Indian air force and navy.
To replace the HAL-built HPT-32 Deepak, which has been in service since 1984, the new aircraft should have a glass cockpit with advanced avionics and navigation equipment, ejection seats and a retractable landing gear.
State-owned HAL believes an alliance with a foreign company will allow it to leverage the partner's technical expertise, and boost its ability to market its products on the global stage.
Meanwhile, HAL's plan to obtain initial operational clearance for its Sitara intermediate jet trainer is not likely to be realised before 2010. The project had been due to deliver 12 limited series production aircraft to the Indian air force by 2006, but a late decision to integrate Russia's NPO Saturn AL-55I engine led to delays. The first flight of an AL-55I-powered Sitara took place on 9 May.
Western suppliers approached for India's next basic trainer
Hindustan Aeronautics has issued a request for information to companies including Embraer, Finmeccanica, Grob, Korea Aerospace Industries and Raytheon to help in the design and development of a new turboprop trainer for the Indian air force and navy.
To replace the HAL-built HPT-32 Deepak, which has been in service since 1984, the new aircraft should have a glass cockpit with advanced avionics and navigation equipment, ejection seats and a retractable landing gear.
State-owned HAL believes an alliance with a foreign company will allow it to leverage the partner's technical expertise, and boost its ability to market its products on the global stage.
Meanwhile, HAL's plan to obtain initial operational clearance for its Sitara intermediate jet trainer is not likely to be realised before 2010. The project had been due to deliver 12 limited series production aircraft to the Indian air force by 2006, but a late decision to integrate Russia's NPO Saturn AL-55I engine led to delays. The first flight of an AL-55I-powered Sitara took place on 9 May.
Western suppliers approached for India's next basic trainer
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PM, President to get swanky copters
PM, President to get swanky copters
Posted by admin On July - 31 - 2009
BY : TOI
After getting three desi versions of US president’s ‘Air Force One’, the Indian President and PM are now all set to also acquire 12
swanky and secure helicopters for VVIP on the lines of ‘‘Marine One’’.
The multi-million dollar deal to procure the 12 EH/AW-101 helicopters, manufactured by Italian aviation major AgustaWestland, is in the concluding stages now, say defence ministry sources. “The Cabinet Committee on Security will have to give the final nod before the contract is inked,” said a source. This will be the third major deal in recent years to ensure Indian netas and other VVIPs can travel in fully-secure comfort in and around the country.
First, the Rs 727-crore deal for five mid-size Embraer 135BJ Legacy jets was inked in September 2003. Then, the 937-crore contract for three Boeing Business Jets (BBJs), with advanced self-protection
With the Legacy jets and BBJs already inducted, the VVIPs will also get the 12 helicopters to travel around in style. This, incidentally, comes at a time when the upgrade of the US presidential helicopter fleet is embroiled in a funding controversy.
Though not as high-tech as Barack Obama’s “Marine One”, the call sign of the US Marine Corps helicopter which ferries the US President, the Indian EH-101 helicopters will have self-defence systems like missile-approach warners, chaff and flare dispensers and directed infra-red electronic counter-measures to protect the VVIPs on board.
The new helicopters will replace ageing Russian-origin Mi-8s and Mi-17s being operated by IAF’s elite Communication Squadron, which ferries around the President and PM, just like the Legacy jets have replaced the old HS-748 Avros and the BBJs the two 737-200 aircraft bought in 1983.
The AW-101 helicopters were pitted against the American Sikorsky’s S-92 Superhawks during field trials held last year, overseen by both IAF and SPG. The AW-101, which can carry around 40 combat troops but will ferry 10 passengers in the VVIP configuration, and has three engines for better power and safety, was found more suitable.
One particular SPG requirement was that the helicopters have “a high tail boom” since it would allow the VVIP cars to come right next to the rear exit staircase and not “expose” the protected persons to a threat from anyone in the vicinity.
Moreover, the AW-101 was found to be a rugged helicopter, with crashworthy and damage-tolerant features, capable of hovering even in winds over 80 kmph. “We also wanted a helicopter with a service-ceiling of over 4.5 km and capable of operating at night,” said an official.
IDRW.ORG Blog Archive PM, President to get swanky copters
PM, President to get swanky copters
Posted by admin On July - 31 - 2009
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BY : TOI
After getting three desi versions of US president’s ‘Air Force One’, the Indian President and PM are now all set to also acquire 12
swanky and secure helicopters for VVIP on the lines of ‘‘Marine One’’.
The multi-million dollar deal to procure the 12 EH/AW-101 helicopters, manufactured by Italian aviation major AgustaWestland, is in the concluding stages now, say defence ministry sources. “The Cabinet Committee on Security will have to give the final nod before the contract is inked,” said a source. This will be the third major deal in recent years to ensure Indian netas and other VVIPs can travel in fully-secure comfort in and around the country.
First, the Rs 727-crore deal for five mid-size Embraer 135BJ Legacy jets was inked in September 2003. Then, the 937-crore contract for three Boeing Business Jets (BBJs), with advanced self-protection
With the Legacy jets and BBJs already inducted, the VVIPs will also get the 12 helicopters to travel around in style. This, incidentally, comes at a time when the upgrade of the US presidential helicopter fleet is embroiled in a funding controversy.
Though not as high-tech as Barack Obama’s “Marine One”, the call sign of the US Marine Corps helicopter which ferries the US President, the Indian EH-101 helicopters will have self-defence systems like missile-approach warners, chaff and flare dispensers and directed infra-red electronic counter-measures to protect the VVIPs on board.
The new helicopters will replace ageing Russian-origin Mi-8s and Mi-17s being operated by IAF’s elite Communication Squadron, which ferries around the President and PM, just like the Legacy jets have replaced the old HS-748 Avros and the BBJs the two 737-200 aircraft bought in 1983.
The AW-101 helicopters were pitted against the American Sikorsky’s S-92 Superhawks during field trials held last year, overseen by both IAF and SPG. The AW-101, which can carry around 40 combat troops but will ferry 10 passengers in the VVIP configuration, and has three engines for better power and safety, was found more suitable.
One particular SPG requirement was that the helicopters have “a high tail boom” since it would allow the VVIP cars to come right next to the rear exit staircase and not “expose” the protected persons to a threat from anyone in the vicinity.
Moreover, the AW-101 was found to be a rugged helicopter, with crashworthy and damage-tolerant features, capable of hovering even in winds over 80 kmph. “We also wanted a helicopter with a service-ceiling of over 4.5 km and capable of operating at night,” said an official.
IDRW.ORG Blog Archive PM, President to get swanky copters
IAF trainer jet crashes;2 dead
Indian Air Force jet crashes, two pilots killed
Updated at: 1415 PST, Friday, July 31, 2009
NEW DELHI: A trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, killing two pilots onboard.
The HPT-32 trainer aircraft plane crashed near an Air Force academy at Medak, during a training flight.
The aircraft crashed apparently due to an engine problem, an Air Force spokesman said, adding an investigation will be carried out.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=83972
Indian Air Force jet crashes, two pilots killed
Updated at: 1415 PST, Friday, July 31, 2009
NEW DELHI: A trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, killing two pilots onboard.
The HPT-32 trainer aircraft plane crashed near an Air Force academy at Medak, during a training flight.
The aircraft crashed apparently due to an engine problem, an Air Force spokesman said, adding an investigation will be carried out.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=83972
indian_blues
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RIP. Condolences to the family. 
how many we are ready to lose with those junk metal x-(
how many we are ready to lose with those junk metal x-(
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Condolences...
wild goose
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RIP to the brave souls.
May God bless their families with courage.
May God bless their families with courage.
MiG-29 upgrade may be delayed
Ravi Sharma
BANGALORE: The cost escalation and time overrun that is plaguing the multi-billion dollar Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal could soon haunt another mega Indo-Russian defence deal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is worried over the likely delay in the MiG-29 upgrade programme.
For the IAF, already facing a serious depletion of fighter squadrons owing to a number of aircraft being ‘number plated,’ the delay in deliveries of the frontline MiG-29 could mean compromising India’s air superiority.
In a contract signed in March 2008 of nearly $850 million between India and the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK MiG) , the MiG-29 was to have been upgraded from an aerial interceptor and air dominance aircraft to a fighter-bomber capable of striking mobile and stationary targets on the ground and at sea with high-precision weapons under all weather conditions.
As per the contract, 54 single-seat fighters and eight trainers are being refurbished.
While six aircraft will be upgraded by the MiG-29’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the remaining aircraft will be refurbished with kits supplied by RSK MiG at the IAF’s 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Nasik. As per the original schedule, the first upgraded MiG-29 was scheduled to fly into India in March 2010.
However, officials from the OEM told The Hindu that there will be a delay of at least eight months in the arrival of the first upgraded aircraft. The Russians are attributing this to a delay in the IAF finalising the ‘buyer furnished equipment.’
The delay will translate into a year-long delay in the start of production aircraft at 11BRD. Fourteen aircraft are scheduled to roll out of 11BRD between April 2010 and March 2011.
Under the contract, the IAF have to indicate to RSK MiG the list of equipment and their physical dimensions that they want fitted on the upgraded MiG-29’s. Many of these items are to be sourced or integrated by Indian companies.
The upgrade programme had also run into rough weather last year after a Russian Air Force MiG-29 crashed in December, with talk of the IAF even toying with decommissioning the fighter.
However, with the Russians furnishing the reasons for the crash - structural faults in the aircraft due to corrosion on the fin root ribs – and after the IAF conducted a thorough inspection of its entire fleet, flying recommenced.
Extension of life
The upgrade will allow the IAF to extend the life of the MiG-29 from 25 years (and 2,500 hours) to 40 years (3,500 hours). The Air Force had first proposed the upgrade after the Pakistan Air Force added beyond-visual-range missiles and other advanced weaponry in 2003, something that the IAF’s MiG-29s presently do not carry.
The Hindu : National : MiG-29 upgrade may be delayed
Ravi Sharma
BANGALORE: The cost escalation and time overrun that is plaguing the multi-billion dollar Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal could soon haunt another mega Indo-Russian defence deal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is worried over the likely delay in the MiG-29 upgrade programme.
For the IAF, already facing a serious depletion of fighter squadrons owing to a number of aircraft being ‘number plated,’ the delay in deliveries of the frontline MiG-29 could mean compromising India’s air superiority.
In a contract signed in March 2008 of nearly $850 million between India and the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK MiG) , the MiG-29 was to have been upgraded from an aerial interceptor and air dominance aircraft to a fighter-bomber capable of striking mobile and stationary targets on the ground and at sea with high-precision weapons under all weather conditions.
As per the contract, 54 single-seat fighters and eight trainers are being refurbished.
While six aircraft will be upgraded by the MiG-29’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the remaining aircraft will be refurbished with kits supplied by RSK MiG at the IAF’s 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Nasik. As per the original schedule, the first upgraded MiG-29 was scheduled to fly into India in March 2010.
However, officials from the OEM told The Hindu that there will be a delay of at least eight months in the arrival of the first upgraded aircraft. The Russians are attributing this to a delay in the IAF finalising the ‘buyer furnished equipment.’
The delay will translate into a year-long delay in the start of production aircraft at 11BRD. Fourteen aircraft are scheduled to roll out of 11BRD between April 2010 and March 2011.
Under the contract, the IAF have to indicate to RSK MiG the list of equipment and their physical dimensions that they want fitted on the upgraded MiG-29’s. Many of these items are to be sourced or integrated by Indian companies.
The upgrade programme had also run into rough weather last year after a Russian Air Force MiG-29 crashed in December, with talk of the IAF even toying with decommissioning the fighter.
However, with the Russians furnishing the reasons for the crash - structural faults in the aircraft due to corrosion on the fin root ribs – and after the IAF conducted a thorough inspection of its entire fleet, flying recommenced.
Extension of life
The upgrade will allow the IAF to extend the life of the MiG-29 from 25 years (and 2,500 hours) to 40 years (3,500 hours). The Air Force had first proposed the upgrade after the Pakistan Air Force added beyond-visual-range missiles and other advanced weaponry in 2003, something that the IAF’s MiG-29s presently do not carry.
The Hindu : National : MiG-29 upgrade may be delayed
youngindian
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To shield aircraft from missiles, HEMRL works on counter measures
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
Monday , Aug 03, 2009
An indigenous Infra Red (IR) decoy flare to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles is what the High Energy Materials and Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is now working on.
Aircraft leave behind a trail of Infra Red signature in its exhaust, making them easy targets for heat-seeking missile systems. Under attack, decoy flares with similar IR radiation emitted from the aircraft can confound the missiles and save the aircraft. “IR flares have stronger Infra red intensity that induces a missile to follow the flares instead of the aircraft. An aircraft that costs crores can thus be saved by flares costing thousands,” said Amarjit Singh, associate director, HEMRL.
Scientists said that flares imported from other countries are expensive. Besides, countries are less likely to share their latest progress in defence technology.
HEMRL said all initial trials have been conducted in tandem with the Indian Air Force. However, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander T K Singh did not comment.
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
Monday , Aug 03, 2009
An indigenous Infra Red (IR) decoy flare to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles is what the High Energy Materials and Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is now working on.
Aircraft leave behind a trail of Infra Red signature in its exhaust, making them easy targets for heat-seeking missile systems. Under attack, decoy flares with similar IR radiation emitted from the aircraft can confound the missiles and save the aircraft. “IR flares have stronger Infra red intensity that induces a missile to follow the flares instead of the aircraft. An aircraft that costs crores can thus be saved by flares costing thousands,” said Amarjit Singh, associate director, HEMRL.
Scientists said that flares imported from other countries are expensive. Besides, countries are less likely to share their latest progress in defence technology.
HEMRL said all initial trials have been conducted in tandem with the Indian Air Force. However, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander T K Singh did not comment.
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Air force planes jinxed in State?
HYDERABAD: Blame it on human error, technical snag or poor maintenance of aircraft, the number of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel dying in aircraft crashes appears to be rising alarmingly in Andhra Pradesh.
With Friday’s incident, in which a propeller-driven HPT-32 two-seater trainer aircraft crashed into the open fields just outside the Dundigal Air Force Academy killing two instructors on board, the death toll of IAF personnel in aircraft crashes has risen to six.
On July 31, 2003, two trainee pilots of IAF — Avinash and Narayanan — were killed when a Chetak helicopter on a routine sortie crashed near Thumukunta in Shameerpet. In a similar incident on Sept 12, 2007, IAF aircraft Kiran (Mark-I), on a regular night sortie, crashed on the city outskirts killing Squadron leader HC Bhagat and flight cadet UC Sati.
Going into the possible causes behind such crashes, a source in the IAF told Express, ‘‘There could be several reasons for the mishaps. It could be human error, technical snags like a sudden failure in engine or power loss.’’ Failure of coils in the spark plugs in the cylinders and improper pre-flight check by pilots, including weather analysis and assessing the centre of gravity could also be the reasons for aircraft crashes, the source said.
‘‘There might be situations when suddenly the control systems would stop functioning or the engine itself would fail. When it comes to landing or take-off, judgment is the key. Sometimes, the pilot may feel that he is ready for landing but the speed and altitude may be higher which can result in a mishap,’’ Wing Commander (retired) Jaganatham told Express.
According to another official, the aircraft comes with a transmitter which gets activated once it shows signs of crashing.
‘‘If it is a bird hit, there could be a possibility of the pilot not being able to avoid the bird. Birds tend to come closer and closer despite the engine sound and in some situations, it becomes difficult to avoid them,’’ opined another official.
However, for today’s mishap, officials feel that a technical snag could be the reason.
‘‘In a majority of cases, we have seen that human errors are committed by trainee cadets and not instructors, who have several hours of flying experience besides a good judgment,’’ the officials said
HYDERABAD: Blame it on human error, technical snag or poor maintenance of aircraft, the number of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel dying in aircraft crashes appears to be rising alarmingly in Andhra Pradesh.
With Friday’s incident, in which a propeller-driven HPT-32 two-seater trainer aircraft crashed into the open fields just outside the Dundigal Air Force Academy killing two instructors on board, the death toll of IAF personnel in aircraft crashes has risen to six.
On July 31, 2003, two trainee pilots of IAF — Avinash and Narayanan — were killed when a Chetak helicopter on a routine sortie crashed near Thumukunta in Shameerpet. In a similar incident on Sept 12, 2007, IAF aircraft Kiran (Mark-I), on a regular night sortie, crashed on the city outskirts killing Squadron leader HC Bhagat and flight cadet UC Sati.
Going into the possible causes behind such crashes, a source in the IAF told Express, ‘‘There could be several reasons for the mishaps. It could be human error, technical snags like a sudden failure in engine or power loss.’’ Failure of coils in the spark plugs in the cylinders and improper pre-flight check by pilots, including weather analysis and assessing the centre of gravity could also be the reasons for aircraft crashes, the source said.
‘‘There might be situations when suddenly the control systems would stop functioning or the engine itself would fail. When it comes to landing or take-off, judgment is the key. Sometimes, the pilot may feel that he is ready for landing but the speed and altitude may be higher which can result in a mishap,’’ Wing Commander (retired) Jaganatham told Express.
According to another official, the aircraft comes with a transmitter which gets activated once it shows signs of crashing.
‘‘If it is a bird hit, there could be a possibility of the pilot not being able to avoid the bird. Birds tend to come closer and closer despite the engine sound and in some situations, it becomes difficult to avoid them,’’ opined another official.
However, for today’s mishap, officials feel that a technical snag could be the reason.
‘‘In a majority of cases, we have seen that human errors are committed by trainee cadets and not instructors, who have several hours of flying experience besides a good judgment,’’ the officials said
StarScreen
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Condolences to the families...
