Engine majors’ bid to do Jaguars a power of good

[Adux]

Engine majors’ bid to do Jaguars a power of good

Monday August 6 2007 00:37 IST
KOCHI: At a time when world majors in defence aviation are muscling for a slice of the country’s 126-fighter pie, two companies have an even more interesting business proposal.

M/S Rolls Royce and Honeywell are telling the Indian Air Force to re-engine its entire Jaguar fleet.

The benefit: More power that will enable the Jaguars, fresh from a total refit and state-ofthe- art avionics, to penetrate more deeper into enemy territory. The idea is being seriously discussed at AF headquarters after the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd attested to the feasibility of the proposal.

The Jaguar is now powered by Rolls Royce 804 engine. But after the machines were overhauled and re-equipped with wirefree technology, Jaguars are at their menacing best.

‘‘A little more power and they would be in a class of their own. Honeywell first mooted the idea and offered their latest engine with higher thrust levels. Soon, Rolls Royce also entered the fray with their 821 engines,’’ top sources told this website's newspaper.

Both the engines are products of very competitive aviation engineering. They offer a life span of about 30 years. Both the companies have submitted a modification package.

‘‘The aircraft frame can adopt both the models. But, of course, Rolls Royce has a slight edge as Jaguars are flying on their engines. The decision has to be taken by the Air HQ,’’ sources said. IAF, sources said, is keen on the proposal.

‘‘It makes strategic sense. You’ve a wonderful aircraft that needs a little more power to soar high. The overhauling has given it even midair refuelling capability. If we can pull this deal through, the Jaguar fleet will continue to be our main strike arm with a better reach,’’ sources said.

Confirming the move, HAL sources said replacing the engines is a simpler exercise. ‘‘It can be even done at the base itself. It’s very much like removing an existing engine for periodic checks. The fleet won’t be hit by this move,’’ sources said.

India’s Jaguar fleet is a 145-strong force. The last 20 machines will complete its overhaul at HAL before the end of the year to give room for the Advanced Jet Trainer Hawk project. HAL hopes to fly the first AJT by the end of the year

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20070805141554

 

[Adux]

our main strike fleet cant remain with jags, we have to move up

 

[Bull]

Its an old aircraft, but the newly made ones can definilty be upgraded.

 

[Markus]

Honeywell Develops New Engine for Indian Air Force Jaguar Fighters


Honeywell's aerospace division is exploring opportunities for forging partnerships with Indian companies that are keen to address the demand for offsets in defence deals, said Pritam Bhavnani, President of Honeywell's Aerospace Division in India, on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Bhavnani said, Honeywell had developed a new engine for the Jaguar aircraft. "We have provided the new engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and the Indian Air Force," he said.

About Honeywell's sourcing agreement with HAL for engines for turbo prop aircraft, Mr. Bhavnani said the first phase of the project was almost over. In the second phase HAL is to supply 400 additional parts. The third phase is likely to be completed in 2011, he said.

The sourcing agreement between the two companies requires HAL to supply Honeywell 600 aircraft engines over a 10-15-year period, Mr. Bhavnani said. Referring to the role played by Honeywell's facilities in Bangalore, Mr. Bhavnani said employees here had contributed to the development of the smart runaway landing and smart landing system.

He said the newly developed system would help aircraft pilots have "better situational awareness, especially in adverse weather conditions." He said Emirates airline and Alaska Airlines, among others, had shown interest in procuring the new system.

Honeywell employs 11,000 persons in India, constituting 8 per cent of its global workforce.


Honeywell Develops New Engine for Indian Air Force Jaguar Fighters | India Defence