Aero India - 2011

[Water Car Engineer]

 

[Trisonics]

A brave heart indeed!

You could call him the most passionate of pilots. Leaning on crutches he wormed his way through the crowd just to soak in the ambience of the Aero India 2011. In fact, Col Rodney J Stokes with the US Air Force had travelled miles to be there.

Courageous : Col Rodney J StokesHe had consented to come to India with his crew for the Aero Show almost two months ago. But he broke his leg midway. “I really wanted to come and visit India. I’ve heard so much about this place that even an injury didn’t stop me from being here,” Rodney tells
Metrolife.

He hopped around swiftly and mostly hung around the runway where he could see the aircraft roar off. “I’ve flown all my life. Watching the aircraft soar into the skies makes me nostalgic. The sight of aircraft excites me,” said Rodney.

He confesses that just like his co-pilots he feels flying gives him a sense of freedom. “All the manoeuvres give you a feeling that you’ve conquered the skies. It’s a high that’s unmatched,” he says.

The evenings, after the show, were free and the air crew took time off to explore the City, especially the restaurants and did a bit of shopping as well. Rodney and his friends headed straight to the Tandoor restaurant on M G Road one evening. “I love Indian food especially chicken tikka.

The spice is just perfect. I also plan to carry some of the spices back home,” observes Rodney. Rodney says he relished every moment he spent in India and he has gathered some very fond memories of his stay here. “When I am back on my feet I am going to travel to India with my wife and kids. This is one place they must not miss,” he signs off.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/137697/a-brave-heart-indeed.html

 

[Trisonics]

We’ll miss India: Foreign crew

BANGALORE: They may have flown at the speed of light at the show, but it took them three or four days to reach India from their homeland. "We did not have a chance to get together. Our days were spent taking care of the jets and keeping them in flying condition."

Davide Marzinotto from the Italian Air Force on the Typhoon Eurofighter looks forward to going home, but he misses not having enough time to meet others on base. Robin Norlander, chief test pilot with Gripen, says, "It's the first day off I am getting after two weeks. I want to sleep late. And then do some shopping."

The SAAB team from Sweden came in with four aircraft, including the Gripen. They started last Tuesday to reach Yelahanka last Saturday, with five stops in between, including Jordan, Muscat and Ahmedabad. "It's only a 10-hour journey, but we cannot fly fighter aircraft at a stretch as they need refuelling. There is no tanker to carry fuel so we have to land every time," explained Ola Rignell, SAAB director for flight test and verification.

Ola is ready to leave on Wednesday. He said he had a "terrific personal experience in India. The best part about Aero India was getting to know the average Indian. And yes, I never missed the snow!"


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ss-India-Foreign-crew/articleshow/7490924.cms

 

[Trisonics]

TEAM RED-BULL

Sugar Cane Juice

Streets of Bangalore:

 

[Abingdonboy]

whose looking for GARAUD FORCE
???

Hey sorry to keep banging on about the Garuds but i'm really interested in them and sadly was a little underwhelmed this year, from all reports there were very few of them and from the few pics availble they look a little underdressed comapred to A1 2009 below is a vid of them back in AI 2009

Check them out they have earpeices, knee pads, elbow pads, side arms and tactical vests and they also looked much meaner (just my personal opinion) anyone know the reason for them toning down thier apperance (do they still have that gear). It was confounded by how ridiculous they looked at the C-130j induction ceremony (again just my opinoion) wearing black face paint whilst wearing green camos and bandanas and carrying old looking AKs, it was a real shame because before at AI 2009 and Vayu Shakti 2010 they really looked prfessional and modern.

Any help would be much appreicated. Thanks.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Insightful vid of Surya Kiran:

IAF's aerobatic team set to perform at Aero India - Videos - India - IBNLive

Good bye guys, you will be sorley missed.

 

[IndianArmy]

The Garud's

 

[Water Car Engineer]

 

[Water Car Engineer]

AERO INDIA: Embraer detects Indian niche

Embraer plans to roll out the first of India's three EMB-145 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft this month and is looking for other niche opportunities on the sub-continent.
Embraer defence head Orlando Neto commented on the status of India's EMB-145 at Aero India 2011. "After we deliver the aircraft, the Indian Air Force will undertake systems integration."
Under the $208 million 2008 deal, Embraer built the aircraft based on the airframe of the E-145 regional aircraft. It then installed indigenously designed radar and communications links. Nato expects all three to be delivered by the end of 2011.
"India is definitely a growing business for us," says Neto. "They have objectives and we see ourselves complementing these objectives. Though their procurement process is long, defence procurement everywhere takes time, but this doesn't concern us because we understand it."
Aside from the EMB-145s, Embraer has also delivered to the Indian government five E-145s configured for the VIP role. The aircraft are operated by the Indian Air Force and have enhanced communications features.
In regard to other programmes, Neto says Embraer's EMB-314 Super Tucano is not an entrant in the current IAF basic trainer competition because the Super Tucano is "a war machine."
Nonetheless, the Brazilian government has suggested to India the two countries cooperate on a light turboprop trainer aircraft. These discussions are still preliminary.
Longer term, he sees opportunities in India for C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) aircraft and executive transports.
In addition, when the Brazilian air force's EMB-145 requires upgrading or replacement after 2020, there could be an opportunity to cooperate with India.

AERO INDIA: Embraer detects Indian niche

 

[SpArK]

IAF Chief's exclusive press conference at Aero India 2011​

Asia's largest air show Aero India 2011 that began here Wednesday came to a close on Sunday. The five-day exposition that had some of the world’s leading aerospace industries displayed some of the most exquisite flying machines and equipment.

During the airshow, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik addressed the media in a press conference and thanked them for the excellent coverage of the Aero India 2011. He answered myriad questions from various media persons and defence journalists. Following is the extract of the press conference in Q&A format.

Q. Sir, public money is continuously spent on defence and this figure is increasing every year. Don’t you think we should focus on other areas, for example, agriculture more rather spending it on defence?

A: Money spent on armed forces and procurement of inventories is for national security. We are excelling in various fields like IT, Medicine, agriculture, etc but the truth is until or unless our borders are secure, no nation can thrive.

Q. What is your plan for next 15 years?

A: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing a major modernisation process. We have full-scale expansion plan ready for the next 15 years, which includes, satellites, AWACS, Aerosats, long-range aircraft, etc, procurement of weapons, and also protection of these assets with air defence system, SAMs, etc.

Q. What is the current status of the Mirage 2000 upgrade?

A: IAF is hoping to sign the long-stuck Mirage 2000 upgrade contract with France by March this year. The negotiations have been concluded and reports have been submitted to the Defence Ministry. We are trying to conclude this deal by end of this financial year. The value of the contract is not yet set. Mirage 2000 upgrade includes modern cockpit with high situational awareness, advanced avionics, modern radar and sensors. The aircraft will also be carrying new weapons and the life extension is upto 20 more years.

Q. The usages of UAV are increasing in the defence sector. What is the point of view of IAF on that?

A: UAV is not the right term. One should identify it as Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Currently, all the three armed forces are planning to acquire more and more UAVs.

Q. Pakistan has been signing many deals with US and also receiving J-10 aircraft from China. Sir, what is your opinion on that?

A: Every nation has right to develop their strength and India has no problems over any such deals, so long as they do not create hindrance our peace and security. Pakistan and China are developing their Air Force, so is India. As far as threat perception is concerned, military minds are told to analyse each and everything, however small or big, which affects the development of the country. So, we analyse everything which is small or big and we plan accordingly.

Q. Sir, what is the current status of the MMRCA contract?

A: India is likely to sign the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract by September 2011. Commercial negotiations for the deal will begin in next two to three weeks and we will be signing the MMRCA contract by September this year. I would also like to patent the flight evaluation process of this deal, as it was the finest and was done so properly by my personnel. But after we submitted the report to the ministry of defence in July last year, there have been so many queries on technical details that a lot of education had to be done. I hope the CNC will start talks in a week or two, unless dissatisfied vendors put a spoke in the wheel, when it will take more time.

Q. What about old Russian aircraft MiG-21?

A: We have already started phasing out Mig-21 fighters. Only one squadron is left for the phase out. From 2014-2015 onwards we’ll start refurbishing our strength.
Q. When will IJT begin operational flying?

A: Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) will get Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by July this year. After the minor incidents, the project picked up speed with the flight trials finally getting over. We want its spin capability to improve and HAL is sure it can do it in a month or two. So more or less, IJT is ready for IOC.

Q. Refueler tender has been cancelled by the Government. Sir, what is your say on that?

A: Tanker (Airbus) was recommended by the IAF and was rejected by the Finance Ministry on the grounds of the aircraft being too costly. We have reissued a fresh RFP. We want more tankers. Il-76 is good but we need six more air-to-air refuelers.

Q. Will IAF disband the Surya Kirans?

A: Surya Kiran will not be disbanded but the shortage of the aircraft had forced them to make these changes. SPT-32 is currently grounded. Therefore, Kiran (HJT-16) will be used for training purposes. As we are shortage of Kiran aircraft, we’ll at present minimise their performances. Later on, IJT will be a part of the Surya Kiran aircraft.

Q. How FGFA will help the combat capability of the IAF?

A: We are looking for a fifth generation aircraft. We are looking for an aircraft which is capable of super supercruise, capable of very potent long range weapons, capable of higher level of avionic shall, which are not there in a fourth generation aircraft and which technology permits you to have. 2017 is the expected induction date. Our plan is to have about 200-250 of them, not more.

Q. What is your plan for helicopter fleet modernisation?

A: We are acquiring 12 AW 101 VVIP helicopters, trials for 22 attack helicopters are completed, 80 Mi-17 IV helicopters are being inducted and 50 more would be added in near future, trials for 12 heavy-lift choppers are also in the final stage and would be completed soon. T he Field Evaluation Trials (FETs) for procuring 197 helicopters for the Army and the Navy were also over and the report was expected to be submitted to it in the next couple of weeks. Of the 197, the IAF would receive over 55 helicopters. In the attack helicopters segment, the trials focussing the Russian Mi-28 and American Apache 64 D Longbow are over and a report in this regard was expected in a week. Under the LUH programme, the Army has conducted trials of the Russian Ka-226 and the Eurocopter Fennec and would send its report to the IAF soon.

Q. What are the upgrades to be carried out on the Su-30MKI?

A: Su-30MKI would have state-of-the-art equipment and HAL, DRDO and Russian manufacturers were involved in the development of the AESA radar also for the air superiority fighter. These upgrades will not have any impact on the MMRCA.

Q. What is current status on the re-engineering of the Jaguar aircraft?

A: RFP has been given to two vendors- Rolls-Royce and Honeywell. We are awaiting response. The selected vendor will make a contract with HAL also. The contract is for 60 plus aircraft and 200 plus F-125 engine.


IAF Chief's exclusive press conference at Aero India 2011 - Brahmand.com

 

[kingdurgaking]

Looks good to see a radar absorbing structural composite... is this indigenous?

 

[Kinetic]

Q. What are the upgrades to be carried out on the Su-30MKI?

A: Su-30MKI would have state-of-the-art equipment and HAL, DRDO and Russian manufacturers were involved in the development of the AESA radar also for the air superiority fighter. These upgrades will not have any impact on th

MKI can hold large AESA in its radome. It will certainly give an edge over enemy.

Q. What about old Russian aircraft MiG-21?

A: We have already started phasing out Mig-21 fighters. Only one squadron is left for the phase out. From 2014-2015 onwards we’ll start refurbishing our strength.

 

[GORKHALI]

 

[sancho]

IAF Chief's exclusive press conference at Aero India 2011​

Q. How FGFA will help the combat capability of the IAF?

A: We are looking for a fifth generation aircraft. We are looking for an aircraft which is capable of super supercruise, capable of very potent long range weapons, capable of higher level of avionic shall, which are not there in a fourth generation aircraft and which technology permits you to have. 2017 is the expected induction date. Our plan is to have about 200-250 of them, not more.

Kind of interesting that he points that out so directly or?

 

[luckyyy]

Mig-21 fighters ; Only one squadron is left for the phase out.

come on ,this can't be true , so reporting mistake i think..

or he may be talking of mig-21 and not mig-21-bison..