Royan
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Indian Air Force Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Performing Mid-Air Refueling
A small collection of pictures showing the Indian Air Force's [IAF] SEPECAT Jaguar fighter aircraft perform aerial refueling. These photographs were taken in 2004, when the IAF were on their way to the United States to take part in the Cope Thunder 2004 military exercise.
In-flight refuelling capability was incorporated into the Jaguars as part of its upgrade programme; one of the many it has undergone. Ironically, when the IAF decided to acquire these fighters from the French-British developer consortium, it specified that its pre-existing In-Flight Refueling [IFR] probe be removed, since India, at that time possessed no mid-air refuelling capability. While the pictures here show an IFR probe which retracts into the nose, yet another non-retractable variant has also been seen retro-fitted onto some of the IAF Jaguars. Perhaps, the type of IFR probe selected depended whether the aircraft is a single-seat or twin seat version, with the single-seaters equipped with a retractable one. The twin-seat, with its fore pilot station pushed further into the nose, in order to accommodate another pilot at the back, may not have enough internal space to accommodate the necessary plumbing for the probe [speculating].
Since its acquisition, the aircraft has been regularly adding on capabilities, both weapon & avionic systems, through periodic upgrades. During the course of manufacturing & maintenance of the aircraft, Indian technicians & Engineers have also come up with critical solutions that address some primary design flaws in the aircraft. These solution were, thereafter, adopted & implemented by its designers [BAE] across the Jaguar fleet worldwide,
"it was found that BAe introduced these modifications as applicable to the Jaguar fleet all over the world. Interestingly the Company Notice of BAe was identical to that of HAL, word for word; expect that the letters BAe substituted letters HAL. There was a very fine print (visible only through a magnifying glass) that the modifications were based on work done by HAL"
This increase in capability through addition of subsequent systems has also caused significant weight addition. It has essentially made the aircraft, in its current configuration, underpowered. Faced with this handicap, the Air Force had sought to upgrade the fighter's twin engines, replacing the existing Adour Mk811 with an engine capable of providing greater thrust. In response to the tender floated seeking a suitable solution, it received two responders,
1.Britains Rolls Royce with its Adour Mk821 turbofan engine
2.US-based Honeywell Aerospace offering its F125IN engine
Since that time, however, Rolls Royce has withdrawn its bid. India had, therefore, decided to cancel the competition, and may instead decide to go for the F125 solution being offered by Honeywell. No news has emerged since, confirming the signing of such a contract, though.
Besides India, the kingdom of Oman has the only other Air Force which currently flies the Jaguars. This commonality in fighter fleet has played its role in bringing the nation & kingdom together to engage in regular military exercises, where Jaguars of their respective Air Forces are pitted against each other, fly alongside, honing skills, exchanging notes. In fact, one such bi-lateral exercise was conducted in India last year in October at IAF's Jamnagar airbase. Earlier, in 2009, Oman played host to the IAF contingent. The exercise series is called 'Eastern Bridge'. These are some photographs from the 2009 engagement.
Indian Air Force Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Performing Mid-Air Refueling - AA Me, IN
A small collection of pictures showing the Indian Air Force's [IAF] SEPECAT Jaguar fighter aircraft perform aerial refueling. These photographs were taken in 2004, when the IAF were on their way to the United States to take part in the Cope Thunder 2004 military exercise.
In-flight refuelling capability was incorporated into the Jaguars as part of its upgrade programme; one of the many it has undergone. Ironically, when the IAF decided to acquire these fighters from the French-British developer consortium, it specified that its pre-existing In-Flight Refueling [IFR] probe be removed, since India, at that time possessed no mid-air refuelling capability. While the pictures here show an IFR probe which retracts into the nose, yet another non-retractable variant has also been seen retro-fitted onto some of the IAF Jaguars. Perhaps, the type of IFR probe selected depended whether the aircraft is a single-seat or twin seat version, with the single-seaters equipped with a retractable one. The twin-seat, with its fore pilot station pushed further into the nose, in order to accommodate another pilot at the back, may not have enough internal space to accommodate the necessary plumbing for the probe [speculating].
Since its acquisition, the aircraft has been regularly adding on capabilities, both weapon & avionic systems, through periodic upgrades. During the course of manufacturing & maintenance of the aircraft, Indian technicians & Engineers have also come up with critical solutions that address some primary design flaws in the aircraft. These solution were, thereafter, adopted & implemented by its designers [BAE] across the Jaguar fleet worldwide,
"it was found that BAe introduced these modifications as applicable to the Jaguar fleet all over the world. Interestingly the Company Notice of BAe was identical to that of HAL, word for word; expect that the letters BAe substituted letters HAL. There was a very fine print (visible only through a magnifying glass) that the modifications were based on work done by HAL"
This increase in capability through addition of subsequent systems has also caused significant weight addition. It has essentially made the aircraft, in its current configuration, underpowered. Faced with this handicap, the Air Force had sought to upgrade the fighter's twin engines, replacing the existing Adour Mk811 with an engine capable of providing greater thrust. In response to the tender floated seeking a suitable solution, it received two responders,
1.Britains Rolls Royce with its Adour Mk821 turbofan engine
2.US-based Honeywell Aerospace offering its F125IN engine
Since that time, however, Rolls Royce has withdrawn its bid. India had, therefore, decided to cancel the competition, and may instead decide to go for the F125 solution being offered by Honeywell. No news has emerged since, confirming the signing of such a contract, though.
Besides India, the kingdom of Oman has the only other Air Force which currently flies the Jaguars. This commonality in fighter fleet has played its role in bringing the nation & kingdom together to engage in regular military exercises, where Jaguars of their respective Air Forces are pitted against each other, fly alongside, honing skills, exchanging notes. In fact, one such bi-lateral exercise was conducted in India last year in October at IAF's Jamnagar airbase. Earlier, in 2009, Oman played host to the IAF contingent. The exercise series is called 'Eastern Bridge'. These are some photographs from the 2009 engagement.
Indian Air Force Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Performing Mid-Air Refueling - AA Me, IN
