Indian Naval Aviation

[SATISH]

TU 142 BEAR

Type: Long Range Maritime Patrol.

Number in Service: There are reportedly 10 aircraft in service, but that number has not been confirmed to date. Thus the official figures stand at eight aircraft. Three aircraft arrived at Dabolim, Goa in March 1988, two more examples were flown in April 1988 and the last three were flown between August and October 1988. Inducted for long-range surface surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

Aircraft Serial Numbers: IN-311
................................IN-312
................................IN-313
................................IN-314
................................IN-315
................................IN-316
................................IN-317
................................IN-318

Dimensions (External): Wingspan - 51.1 metres (167 feet).
..............................Length (overall) - 49.5 metres (162 feet).
..............................Height (overall) - 12.12 metres (39 feet).
..............................Propeller Diameter - 5.6 metres (18 feet).

Engine: The Tu-142M has four KKBM Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops, with eight-blade contra-rotating reversible-pitch Type AV-60N propellers. Each turboprop is rated at 11,033 kW (14,795 shp). Recently it was announced that the Indian Navy intended to overhaul & modernise the Tu-142M's turboprops at the Motorostroitel aircraft factory in Samara, Russia. The factory also undertakes the major overhaul of around 15 Indian NK-12MV engines, annually. A flight refuelling probe, fitted above the nose, allows for in-flight refuelling. A flush light each side of probe in upper part of nose aids night in-flight refuelling. Flight International reported that India placed an order in 2006 for the modernization of six NK-12 turboprops.

Accommodation: The Tu-142M has a flight crew of four personnel, which includes the Pilot/Commander, Co-Pilot, Flight Engineer and Flight Signaller. A Flight Gunner serves as the tail gunner at the tail turret. Another five personnel operate as navigators/observers. The Observers perform the duties of Weapon System and Sensor officers, while a senior navigator coordinates the entire ASW phase of the mission.

Operational Speed: 500 knots (925 km/h).

Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft. (13,720 metres).

Range: 6775 nautical miles (12,550 km).

Sensors: The Tu-142M is fitted with the Korshun-K automatic search & sighting system and MMS-106 Ladoga magnetometer which are intended for detecting low-noise, nuclear-powered submarines. Also installed are the NPK-142M upgraded navigation and piloting system, the Strela-142M on-board communication system, the Nerchinsk hydrological defense system, the Sayany on-board defense system and an automatic encoded radio communication system. The aircraft also has a search & attack radar (NATO: Wet Eye) and numerous active & passive sonobuoys, some of which include RGB-15, RGB-25, RGB-55A and RGB-75 buoys.

Armament: The Tu-142M can carry 12 torpedoes, FAB 250 freefall bombs and depth charges. It has a DK-12 rear gun system with two 23mm AM-23 cannons. In the late 1990s, it was announced that the Sea Eagle AShM would be integrated with the aircraft.

Maximum External Stores Load: 20,000 kg (44,090 lbs).

Self Defence: A media report, dated 05 May 2007, stated that five HOMI Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems have been fitted on-board and additional systems have been ordered. The system is an indigenous development by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).

Comments: The Tu-142 is the maritime reconnaissance/strike version of the Tu-95 which served as a Russian nuclear weapons capable bomber and is the fastest and highest flying turboprop aircraft in the world. The aircraft's long range (from Mumbai to Johannesburg, South Africa and back without refuelling) combined with its heavy payload of 20,000 lbs. is a valuable asset to the Indian Navy's ASW and MR capability. The aircraft is fondly called the Albatross because of the massive wingspan of the aircraft. Also known as the Sentinel of the Ocean, this aircraft can remain airborne for 16 hours. They operate from INS Rajali (East) and INS Hansa (West) for regular, long range patrols into the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Negotiations were reportedly on with Rosoboronexport (Russia's Federal State Unitary Enterprise which is responsible for arms exports to foreign nations) to procure six to eight more Tu-142s from refurbished ex-VVS storage stocks. However with the tragic mid-air crash of a pair of IL-38s in October 2002, the Indian Navy shifted her attention to acquire additional IL-38s to overcome the loss and therefore acquisition of additional Tu-142s seems unlikely.

Defense News reported in March 2004 that the Indian Navy requested new avionics and electronic warfare suites for the Tu-142, for the detection and interception of surface vessels and submarines within a range of 150 kilometres, as well as the capability to detect mines and carry out long-range and long-endurance surveillance. The upgrade is also expected to enable the aircraft to be linked to the Indian satellite navigation system and be fitted with an observation system that will work in night and day. The primary ambition of the upgrade is to conduct maritime patrol missions and forge a linkage between India's nuclear command center and its futuristic nuclear submarine. The upgrade will further enable the aircraft to carry air-launched versions of the Klub and BrahMos ASCMs. Defense News also reported that the Indian Navy approached Rosoboronexport in November 2003 to upgrade their fleet of Tu-142s for USD $555.5 million. However the proposal put forward by Rosoboronexport to upgrade these aircraft with the Morskoy Zmei (Sea Dragon) multi-mission avionics and electronic warfare suite was rejected. The primary reasons were reportedly system performance issues and an exorbitant price tag, listed at USD $888.9 million by Rosoboronexport.

Again from the same March 2004 report, Defense News reported that the Indian Navy then turned directly towards Israeli firms for the upgrade and that the Ministry of Defence would issue two individual RFPs (Requests For Proposals) to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems to tailor a EW (Electronic Warfare) suite for the Tu-142 fleet. This upgrade is expected to wholly revamp the Tu-142 into a modern maritime recon and electronic warfare aircraft. By early 2004, the IN had reportedly completed with the refit of a Tu-142M (IN 315) with the Elta EL/M-2022A (V3) radar. The radar replaced the Leninets Korschun system and a comprehensive ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and COMINT (Communications Intelligence) package, with nose and fuselage mounted V/UHF antennae and an under-fuselage P-band antenna farm, was also incorporated. This upgrade is similar to the upgrade package of the Indian Navy's Do-228s and features additional SATCOM, ELINT and EW equipment. It was reported in late 2008, that the Elta radar is performing as per design standards and the Indian Navy is very pleased with the upgraded aircraft.

Interfax-AVN reported in September 2004, that the Taganrog Aviation Company (Tavia) was implementing a contract for the repair of a Tu-142ME aircraft of the Indian Navy. Tavia's Director General, Nikolai Savitskikh, stated, "Another Indian plane of this type is currently under repairs at the aircraft plant. According to the schedule, the enterprise must annually repair one Indian Tu-142ME." He also stated that the enterprise was only repairing the Indian aircraft, not upgrading them. "Eight Tu-142MEs were supplied to India in 1987-1988. They are repaired in turns, all of them have been repaired once and are now up for the second repairs," the Director General said. He also added that repairs of both Russian and Indian Tu-142 planes provide for most of the company's workload.

Courtesy: Bharat-Rakshak

 

[SATISH]

Naval AEW

KA-31 Helix-B



Type: AEW helicopter.

Known Serial Numbers: IN-561
...............................IN-562
...............................IN-563
...............................IN-564
...............................IN-565
...............................IN-566
...............................IN-567
...............................IN-568
...............................IN-569

Powerplant: Two Klimov TV3-117VMAR turboshafts each rated at 1633 kW (2200 hp).

Maximum Speed: 135 knots (155 mph; 250 km/h).

Service Ceiling: 3500 meters (11,483 feet).

Range: 324 nautical miles (600 km).

Patrol Endurance: 2.5 hours.

Comments: In August 1999, the Indian Navy placed a firm order for four Ka-31 helicopters and a contract for an additional five was signed in February 2001. Total value of all nine helicopters is estimated at US $207 million. The first Ka-31 for the Indian Navy made its debut flight on 16 May 2001 and the first two of nine Ka-31 helicopters completed tests at the Kamov's Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow. The first batch of four aircraft was officially inducted into the Indian Naval Air Arm in April 2003 and the second batch arrived by the end of 2004. In Indian Navy service, these helicopters operate not only from aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates but also from shore bases as well. Due to its limitations in terms of endurance, the helicopter will be fitted with a helicopter-to-helicopter in-flight refuelling capability. Also known as the Ka-29 RLD, the Ka-31 is a further development of the Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter. The Ka-31's wider fuselage - when compared to the cramped interior of the Ka-27/28 - offers greater accommodation space. It was reported on 12 September 2008, in Domain-B, that the Indian Navy plans to acquire five additional Ka-31 helicopters.

The Ka-31 is fitted with the E-801M Oko (Eye) airborne electronic warfare radar which features a 6x1 meter planar array mounted beneath the fuselage. The radar is folded and stowed beneath the aircraft's fuselage before being lowered into a vertical position, to allow 360º mechanical scanning of the radar once every ten seconds. The radar can simultaneously track up to 40 airborne or surface threats, and can detect fighter-sized aircraft from a range of 100 - 200 km (depending on the size of the target) and surface ships at a horizon of 200 km from an altitude of 9840 feet. Developed by the NIIRT (Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Institut Radiotekhniki) Radio Scientific-Research Institute in Nizhny Novgorod, the radar antenna weighs 200 kg (441 lbs). The co-ordinates, speed and heading of a target gathered by the radar are transmitted via an encoded radio data-link channel to a ship-borne or shore-based command post.

This encoded radio data-link channel will introduce airborne network centric warfare to the Indian Navy, due to its advanced real-time capability. The secure data-link and onboard communication systems have a range of 150 km, at altitudes between 4950 and 11,000 feet. The Indian Navy's Ka-31s are also being fitted out with the Abris GPS featuring a 12-channel receiver. The GPS is designed & developed by Kronstadt - a firm in St. Petersburg, Russia. Abris will provide all satellite navigation data. Other Kronstadt systems featured in the Ka-31 helicopter will include navigational equipment for digital terrain maps, ground-proximity warning, obstacle approach warning, auto-navigation of pre-programmed routes, flight stabilization and auto homing onto and landing at the parent carrier/base and information concerning the helicopter's tactical situation.

Courtesy:Bharat-Rakshak

 

[SATISH]

ASW Helicopters of Indian Navy

Sea King Mk. 42

Crew: Has a crew of 4 in the ASW role and can also carry 28 troops in the utility role or 22 survivors in the SAR (Search & Rescue) role.

Variants with Serial Numbers: Mk.42; IN501 - IN512 (14 Oct 1970*)
........................................Mk.42A; IN551 - IN553 (23 Nov 1979*)
........................................Mk.42B; IN513 - IN533 (17 May 1985*)
........................................Mk.42C; IN555 - IN560 (25 Sept 1986*)
*Indicates the date of delivery to the Indian Navy

Engine: Two Rolls-Royce 1400-1T turbofans, rated at 1660 shp.

Operational Speed: 112 knots (208 km/h).

Service Ceiling: 11,500 ft. (3500 meters).

Range: 664n miles (1230 km).

Maximum Payload: 8000 lbs. (3628 kg).

Sensors: The Mk.42B variant has a MEL Super Searcher radar, an Alcatel HS-12 dipping sonar, a Chelton 7 homer, a ESM by Marconi Hermes and an AQS-902B acoustic processor. The Mk.42C variant has a nose-mounted Bendix RDR 1400C radar, which replaces the MEL Super Searcher.

Weapons: For ASW use; two Whitehead A244S or USSR APR-2 torpedoes, Mk.11 bombs and mines (only on the Mk.42B). For ASV use; two Sea Eagle AShMs (only on the Mk.42B).

Comments: The Sea King Mk.42 is licensed produced by the UK-based GKN Westland, from Sikorsky - a US company. The Sea King Mk.42 forms the backbone of the Naval Air Arm's ASW capability and has purchased more examples from GKN Westland than any other overseas customer. At least 42 variants were delivered in total. It is estimated that only about thirty are still in service. Compared to the small size of the Hughes 300, the Sea King is on the other extreme. It is as large as a small bus and when it flies its leaves an indelible impression on the spectator. The Sea King was procured to fulfill an ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) requirement in the Indian Navy. The first of the Sea King Mk42s were procured in the early 1970s. On 03 November 1970, two Sea Kings were handed over to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK. The two Helicopters (IN501 and IN502) were commissioned as INAS 330 Squadron in 1971. Soon the first batch of 12 Sea Kings were operational. Over the years, the Sea Kings not only formed the ASW squadron on the aircraft carriers, but became the ASW chopper of choice - equipping all Indian manufactured ships like the Godavari Class frigates and the Delhi Class destroyers. The Sea King also became the preferred mount for the Marcos (Marine Commandos).

Sanctions imposed by the Clinton Administration for India's May 1998 nuclear tests, led to an acute shortage of critical spare parts for the Sea King fleet. On 23 November 2000, in a parliamentary session in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister George Fernandes stated in a written reply that an acute shortage of critical spare parts had affected the operational efficacy of the Sea King fleet, with 60% of the helicopters grounded. Flights of the Sea King were cut down to a bare minimum and the SAR role taken over by the smaller, single-engined HAL Chetak helicopters. The British Government continued with its efforts to press high level US authorities for flexibility, particularly in view of the Sea King's SAR role. On 19 January 2001, the Clinton Administration lifted the sanctions and the go-ahead was given for the sale of spare parts for the Sea King fleet. A Sainik Samachar edition - 01 February 2004 - reported that in a parliamentary session in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister George Fernandes stated that 98 spares for the helicopter were ordered through the Foreign Military Sales [FMS] scheme. Of these, 80 spares were already delivered.

A Ministry of Defense press release on 28 June 2004, stated that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL] and the Indian Navy [IN] signed an Memorandum of Understanding with AgustaWestland for repair and overhaul of the transmission system components of the Sea King. With a project cost of around Rs. 71.68 crore, it will go a long way in enhancing the fleet serviceability of the Sea King and reducing the down time. The facility became fully functional by the end of 2004. As a result of this, the IN has an uninterrupted repair & spares support and full overhaul capability to enhance its reliability and fleet readiness at all times. With this project, the IN has become self reliant in the service and full overhaul of transmission assemblies of this helicopter and also serves as a platform in achieving self reliance on other helicopters of foreign origin. The project also provides an opportunity to attain exposure to new technology on promotion of local vendors through indigenisation. This project is a major milestone in creating an indigenous, state-of-the-art generic repair & full overhaul facility. The joint efforts of the IN and HAL led to the signing of a contract for the Transfer of Technology [ToT] from AgustaWestland to HAL in March 2004, which was a prerequisite for setting up this facility at HAL, Bangalore.

An AgustaWestland press release, dated 26 September 2006, stated that the Indian Navy awarded a contract to return to service seven existing Sea King Mk.42B helicopters of the Indian Navy. Work on the contract will commence immediately with AgustaWestland providing a specialist team that will work with personnel from the Indian aerospace industry to undertake the recovery program. HAL will undertake the repair and overhaul of 'rotable' items, including the transmission and rotor heads in support of this contract. It was reported in Defense News, on 17 June 2008, that the Indian Navy floated a global tender to upgrade 17 Sea King Mk.42B helicopters for $300 million.

 

[SATISH]

Ka-28 Helix-A

Type: ASW helicopter.

Known Serial Numbers: IN-571
...............................IN-572
...............................IN-573
...............................IN-574
...............................IN-575
...............................IN-576
...............................IN-577
...............................IN-582
...............................IN-584

Number in Service: 13 (incl. 3 trainers).

Powerplant: Two Isotov TV3-117BK turbo shafts, each rated at 1660-kW (2225-shp), drive contra-rotating blades which have been shortened in length by comparison with those of the Ka-25 for better manoeuvrability on deck.

Operational Speed: 110 knots (204 km/h).

Service Ceiling: 12,000 ft. (3660 miles).

Range: 270 nautical miles (500 km).

Sensors: Splash Drop search radar, VGS-3 dipping sonar and sonobuoys.

Armament: Up to about 2000 kg of disposable stores carried in a lower-fuselage weapon bay, generally comprising two torpedoes or depth charges.

Self Defence: A media report, dated 05 May 2007, stated that 15 KITE Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems were fitted aboard the Kamov and HAL Chetak helicopters. Also, an additional 47 KITE systems are on order and in various stages of production & integration. The KITE ESM system is an indigenous development by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).

Comments: A total of 13 Ka-28s (export version of the Ka-27PL) entered service with the Indian Navy in the mid-80s, including three equipped for the training role. Additional helicopters may have been purchased, but that cannot be confirmed. The Ka-28 was purchased to complement the Ka-25 and it's ASW capabilities are better than its predecessor. The helicopter is considered a quantum jump ahead of the Ka-25 in terms of ASW capability and versatility, with an endurance of over four hours. There is no commonality between the two types, the Ka-28 representing a 20-year technology leap, being equipped with advanced sensors, search-radar, computers, dipping sonar, data-link and MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) equipment.

The Scientific Research Institute of Systematic Equipment at St. Petersburg, Russia is currently developing a variant of the Fagot anti-ship warfare suite for the Ka-28 helicopters in service with the Indian Navy. Unconfirmed reports, in September 2000, stated that five Ka-28s are currently in the Sevastopol Aircraft Enterprise, Russia where they are undergoing a major five-month overhaul. This information has not been confirmed from reliable sources. In December 2001, India Defence Consultants (IDC) reported that an $18-million deal for six additional Ka-28s have been placed by the Indian Navy. There has been no press release from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirming this. It was reported on 12 September 2008, in Domain-B, that the Indian Navy is exploring the possibility of conducting mid-life upgrades for these helicopters.

Courtesy: Bharat-Rakshak

 

[SATISH]

UAVs of Indian Navy

Heron
Searcher II

 

[Pintu]

The images of Indian Navy Tu-142 F and IL-38SD at Arakkonam Naval Air Station , Image : Wikipedia , was posted on Flickr by author of the image Andrea and uploaded to Wikimedia commons by user Russavia using Flikr upload bot and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 , for details see: Creative Commons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Creative Commons

I think Indian Navy is going including 8 nos. of P8i also.

Regards

 

[SATISH]

Beautiful Pic Pintuji...
Yes Pintuji and the deal has been signed. The total deal is worth $2.1 billion.

 

[SATISH]

The new MRPA(Medium range patrol aircraft) tender is also soon to be released. These will be replacing the Dorniers.

 

[SATISH]

Indian Navy to operate 300 aircrafts by 2020 says navy chief | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion - Aviation, Military, Commodity, Energy, Transportation, Conflict, Environment, Intelligence, Internal Security

 

[nitesh]

look range matters if you shore based operations ( ie flying from shore ) Il 76 range is greater than the E2D , all i am trying to say is if at all we should for AWACS we should be fit it on Il 76 due to its greater range or better yet Tu 142

about P-8I It is intended to conduct anti-submarine warfare, shipping interdiction, and to engage in an electronic intelligence (ELINT) role.
True AWACS is for coordination of air borne operations and they cant engage

SAR mode can be used , but better to have dedicated radar for maritime role , in the mean time IN can as IAF phalcon for operations ,in the long run it is emperitive that we have dedicated maritime AWACS

and plz do explain ahat do u mean by logistics?

What is this continue haring of "dedicated maritime radar" do explain the pros of it and compare it with other benefits the phalcon can provide like logistics. Do you seriously don't understand logistics? A single platform repaired in any depot common spares common crews.

 

[AJSINGH]

it is good thing that IN is enlarging its avaition arm , need more than just 12 Mig 29k, well first P-8I was a good choice but in the political process they messed up the end user aggrement, with yankees weapons you cant expect much ( end user agrement is in their favour ) more Mig 29K should be inducted to operate from shore based air base ,so that dependence on IAF for air operations is reduced . A2A refuelers should also be acquired so that tactical operations are enhanced in range and endurance .AWACS - temporary solution should be V-22 osprey modified AWACS or lending Phalcon from IAF .in the long run hopefully DRDO indeginious AWACS should be acquired or E2D from yanks .

 

[shankarosky]

need more than just 12 Mig 29k, well first P-8I was a good choice but in the political process they messed up the end user aggrement-

sure we do and guess the optio to buy more is already there -we shall need for our ADS as well as operate out of southern naval air stations and Andamans for purely maritime strike option in the region replacing the Mig27s and Jaguars whcih can then be relocated to western coastal defense /add on fleet support in the arabian sea region

 

[SATISH]

I still think the Andaman must be made into a joint forces strategic base...or a theater base for eastern seaboard operations.

 

[StealthSniper]

Mig 29k on admiral kuznetsov

 

[abhi]

New Combat Aircraft Tested Successfully :: Russia-InfoCentre

During tests aircrafts MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB have performed several successful take-offs and landings on the aircraft carrier, located in the Barents Sea.

Mentioned tests are final stage of the project on building a new shipborne combat aircraft, which is designed for the Russian Army, but foreign customers are also welcome.

Shipborne combat aircrafts MiG-29K (single-seater) and MiG-29KUB (twin-seater) are multipurpose aircrafts, providing air defence for marine vessels, air dominance, air-to-surface and air-to-ground missions with precision weapons anytime under any possible weather conditions.

 

[marcos98]

INDIAN NAVY PILOTS UNDERGOING FLIGHT TRAINING IN RUSSIA

 

[AJSINGH]

Mig 29 k looks beautiful . three cheers for IN

 

[nitesh]

cross posting:
India to buy more MiG-29Ks - India - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[StealthSniper]

Good news we are getting more jets. We will have a total of 45 new Mig-29k which I guess 16 is going on Gorshkov and I don't know how the 29 new Mig-29k will be used. How many does the Indigenous carrier hold? I thought it held 16 planes.

 

[ppgj]

Good news we are getting more jets. We will have a total of 45 new Mig-29k which I guess 16 is going on Gorshkov and I don't know how the 29 new Mig-29k will be used. How many does the Indigenous carrier hold? I thought it held 16 planes.

think the rest will go on our own ADS. remember ADS and gorshkov will, more or less, be operational around the same time.