IAF to upgrade vintage Avro aircraft

Blackwater

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One of the oldest warhorses of the Indian Air Force, the Avro transport aircraft will soon get a fresh lease of life, enabling it to soldier on for at least another decade or so.

IAF sources said the upgradation suite envisioned for the Avro includes incorporating a radar, installing an auto-pilot system and a new communication system, besides better avionics. Studies have shown that the aircraft still retains some residual technical life and their life extension is feasible.

Though the initial batches of Avro aircraft, also known as HS-748, were initially procured from the United Kingdom and later these were licence-produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the upgrade will be undertaken by a private vendor, sources said. The MiG 21 is the only aircraft in IAF inventory that matches Avro in vintage.

The move to upgrade these vintage aircraft comes in the backdrop of major acquisitions hanging fire. While the contract for VVIP helicopters from Italy has run into rough weather, the procurement of the 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft is still a long way from finalisation. The process to procure light utility helicopters remains grounded.

The IAF also plans to replace the existing Avro fleet and is seeking 56 transport aircraft in this category at an estimated price of $ three billion. The proposed aircraft would have a payload capacity of 6-8 tonnes.

The IAF began inducting Avro twin-engine turboprop aircraft in 1964. With 64 aircraft, this fleet formed the backbone of the IAF's airlift capability till AN-12 and AN-32 were procured. At present about 30-odd aircraft still remain in service, mostly relegated to training and communication roles.

Avros also formed part of the IAF's Communication Squadron designated for VVIP transport till this role was taken over the Brazilian Embrarer-135 executive jets in 2005.

IAF to upgrade vintage Avro aircraft | idrw.org
 

Blackwater

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Lo kar lo baat. 60 saal ki budhi ko lipstick ,power laga ke uski performance thori na improve ho jaye gi:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

upgraded avro is look like shobha dey


BEFORE




AFTER


 
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acetophenol

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Why? why? Why? Really smell something bad my friends! This aircraft is known for its bad safety record,Indian Airlines stopped using them citing passenger safety,Avro used as a platform for DRDO Airavaat AWAC project crashed and killed almost everyone in the project and delaying it infinitly.
This is the same aircraft in which Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam used to fly during his SLV making days!
 

Kunal Biswas

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Some Details : HS 748



First flight 24 June 1960


Crew: Three (two pilots + one passenger attendant)
Capacity: 40–58 passengers
Payload: 11,323 lb (5,136 kg)
Length: 67 ft 0 in (20.42 m)
Wingspan: 102 ft 5½ in (31.23 m)
Height: 24 ft 10 in (7.57 m)
Wing area: 829 ft² (77 m²)
Empty weight: 27,126 lb (12,327 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 46,500 lb (21,092 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart RDa.7 Mk 536-2 turboprop, 2,280 ehp (1,700 kW) each

=============================================================================

Performance

Cruise speed: 281 mph (244 kn, 452 km/h)
Range: 1,066 mi (926 nmi, 1,715 km) (with max payload)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Wing loading: 56.1 lb/ft² (274 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.0981 hp/lb (0.161 kW/kg)

-------------------------

If i am not mistaking, ALH Dhruv which is a light class chopper has better specs.. :)
 

acetophenol

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If the upgrade is to go overseas,I am 95% sure its gonna be a scandel!
 

agentperry

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the private industry was earlier envisaged to make a new plane altogether to replace avro, now they have realized that they over estimated their capability and want to just upgrade the plane. what that will do? so much money will be spent just to get 4-5 more years of 30 1960 planes
 

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