IAF to Induct First DRDO EMB-145I AEW&CS by June

[Krate M]

@sancho According to your assessment how does DRDO EMB-145I AEW&CS compare to others in the class especially Saab Erieye?

Not @sancho but if you carefully examine the aircraft you will see many more systems added to this aewc than the erieye, while the radar performance may be equivalent, there are other systems which make this aircraft contain more features than the other aircraft.

The humps and bumps on the aircraft pack a lot of capabilities.

Maybe @sancho can show how similar or different this aircraft is from the other systems

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Not @sancho but if you carefully examine the aircraft you will see many more systems added to this aewc than the erieye, while the radar performance may be equivalent, there are other systems which make this aircraft contain more features than the other aircraft.

The humps and bumps on the aircraft pack a lot of capabilities.

Maybe @sancho can show how similar or different this aircraft is from the other systems

Indeed - No doubt that the EMB 145I platform is way more advanced than the Saab's one - Though it will be interesting to see how does our indigenously developed AESA radar performs - Saab Erieye is the closest competitor of DRDO EMB 145I in the international market for AEW&CS of such class.

 

[sancho]

Not @sancho but if you carefully examine the aircraft you will see many more systems added to this aewc than the erieye, while the radar performance may be equivalent, there are other systems which make this aircraft contain more features than the other aircraft.

Which however are mainly customer based requirements and could be even provided by Embraer on the EMB 145 Erieye.
On top of the cockpit section is the SATCOM system, which is required by the IAF for the netcentric linking of all strategic aircrafts in and around India. But most export customers can't use that capability, so won't have an advantge by getting it. On each side, there are "bumbs" that carries additional EW sensors that DRDO jointly developed with Airbus, which however could be added by Embraer with Brazilian or Swedish EW equipment. The IFR probe is developed by Embraer itself and can be offered to any export customer that can use that capability.
The rest is basically a difference of internal systems, like IFF, navigation or intelligence sensors, which all together should make the EMB / DRDO AWACS to a great addition to IAF, but not unique for export customers. The only real advantage hopefully is the cost, but as we have seen at Arjun, LCA, or Shivalik class developments, costs ended higher then expected by DRDO and more comparable to foreign counterparts.

 

[MohitV]

looks sleek

 

[AMCA]

Which again makes us dependent on a manufacturer of a platform, just as we are dependent on Embraer. But since we have integrated and tested the sensors and systems on this platform it's logical that we offer it for (theoretical) exports on the EMB 145. The funny thing then is, that any interested customer, could choose the same platform, but the Swedish Erieye radar system as well, since that is integrated and available too, not to mention that the system is most likely more capable.

You have a point there bro!! A tested platform is better to export than making it more complicated by going off the shelves.

Capabilities of Erieye and CABS AESA should not have much of a difference

 

[Last Samuri]

Very impressive indenngious Awacs

I can see 6 to 9 planes supporting between 3 -5 Phalcon awacs by 2022

 

[kaku1]

Which however are mainly customer based requirements and could be even provided by Embraer on the EMB 145 Erieye.
On top of the cockpit section is the SATCOM system, which is required by the IAF for the netcentric linking of all strategic aircrafts in and around India. But most export customers can't use that capability, so won't have an advantge by getting it. On each side, there are "bumbs" that carries additional EW sensors that DRDO jointly developed with Airbus, which however could be added by Embraer with Brazilian or Swedish EW equipment. The IFR probe is developed by Embraer itself and can be offered to any export customer that can use that capability.
The rest is basically a difference of internal systems, like IFF, navigation or intelligence sensors, which all together should make the EMB / DRDO AWACS to a great addition to IAF, but not unique for export customers. The only real advantage hopefully is the cost, but as we have seen at Arjun, LCA, or Shivalik class developments, costs ended higher then expected by DRDO and more comparable to foreign counterparts.

@sancho, there is any plan to develop a 360 degree AEWAC on MTA? Because soon this aircraft would be at disposal to IAF.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

 

[Echo_419]

@sancho, there is any plan to develop a 360 degree AEWAC on MTA? Because soon this aircraft would be at disposal to IAF.

Same question & is MTA big enough for this kind of thing or do you think we should not link these 2 projects

 

[kaku1]

Same question & is MTA big enough for this kind of thing or do you think we should not link these 2 projects

I am not saying for beam based AESA.

But a 360 degree AWAC, and yes its big enough and able to provide much power, and much more operationability with turbofan.

 

[Echo_419]

I am not saying for beam based AESA.

But a 360 degree AWAC, and yes its big enough and able to provide much power, and much more operationability with turbofan.

Same here i was talking about the 360 degree thing

 

[Tshering22]

They should jointly market it with Brazil for export to friendly countries

The EMB-145 is already a famous platform across the world.
I think we need to induct half a dozen more of these beauties to strengthen our surveillance capabilities.

Does the Navy have any plans to get the P99A variant of these? It will really complement the P8Is.

 

[sancho]

Capabilities of Erieye and CABS AESA should not have much of a difference

As said earlier, the CABS AESA seems to be more comparable to the earlier Erieye version, the latest version that PAF uses as well, offers a wider Field of View and possibly some more detection range, but the latter will be confirmed only if we get more infos from the current tests.

@sancho, there is any plan to develop a 360 degree AEWAC on MTA? Because soon this aircraft would be at disposal to IAF.

HAL an Ilyushin are marketing the MTA with AWACS or EW varients, sadly DRDO dreams far too big again and don't see the obvious choice of the MTA, but aim on Boeing 767 or Airbus A330s, since the pride factor of having developed an AWACS compareable to the largest foreign once, is obviously higher.

Check also my earlier post on that:

Russia might offer A-100 AWACS to India | Page 2

Are you talking about another AWACS development?

Nov 8, 2011 - ...Indigenous efforts to develop mini-AWACS in a Rs 1,800-crore project approved in 2004, under which AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) systems developed by DRDO are being mounted on three Embraer-145 jets obtained from Brazil for $210 million, have, however, been hit by several delays. As earlier reported by TOI, their project completion date has been pushed back to April, 2014.


January 2013 - ..."Both have a role. All over the world, people have AEW&C and AWACS in a tandem mode because each one does its role and that's what our country is also doing", Saraswat said.

He said two AEW&C aircraft would be ready this year, adding, "By 2014, we will complete delivery of all the three aircraft (AEW&C) to Indian Air Force".


January 2014 - India Strategic offers program updates from an interview with DRDO chief Dr. Avinash Chander. On the mid-tier front, delivery will take place around mid-2014, with 2 aircraft for the IAF, and a 3rd to remain with DRDO as a test and development platform. They’ve completed some flight evaluation trials, and the communication relays are operational.

April 2014 - ...I’m confident that the private firms will be playing a lead role in some of the DRDO’s futuristic projects,” Tamilmani, a senior defence official, said. He said the DRDO has been following the flight path of a compressed development time frame synergising the competences in the private industry...

... Similarly, the Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft (EMB-145) is undergoing test flights and by the end of the year, we hope to have the first one inducted into the IAF,” he said.


Btw, the third aircraft was expected to arrive in India by the end of last year and i'f I'm not wrong that didn't happend either. Not to mention the earlier development problems of the initial AWACS program.

Btw, the induction date was once again delayed as it seems from June to September, according to Livefist (unnamed sources though).

 

[Echo_419]

As said earlier, the CABS AESA seems to be more comparable to the earlier Erieye version, the latest version that PAF uses as well, offers a wider Field of View and possibly some more detection range, but the latter will be confirmed only if we get more infos from the current tests.



HAL an Ilyushin are marketing the MTA with AWACS or EW varients, sadly DRDO dreams far too big again and don't see the obvious choice of the MTA, but aim on Boeing 767 or Airbus A330s, since the pride factor of having developed an AWACS compareable to the largest foreign once, is obviously higher.

Check also my earlier post on that:

Russia might offer A-100 AWACS to India | Page 2




Btw, the induction date was once again delayed as it seems from June to September, according to Livefist (unnamed sources though).

Hopefully the Leader ship change at DRDO will help them to lower their egos & help them to focus on less ambitions projects

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

IAF To Induct 1st Indo-Brazilian AEW&C Jet In Sept

The Indo-Brazilian EMB-145i AEW&C platform, that made its first public appearance at AeroIndia 2013, returns to the show this year. But unlike two years ago, when the jet was steeped in a busy and extended period of systems trials, including sorties in the Eastern sector and over the Arabian Sea, the Indian Air Force gets all set to receive its first aircraft in seven months.

The team is looking to wrap up development flight & systems trials by the end of March (a Centre for Airborne Systems, CABS, officer tells me the aircraft at AeroIndia will still be notching up test points at the show too). With two aircraft in flight test, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) has enough to meet its March 2015 deadline to complete development tests. But choosing to deploy one of the two jets at the Bangalore show wasn't a difficult decision, given the remarkable level of interest in the platform. CABS sources say at least two countries could sign MoUs declaring their interest in getting more information about the platform to support potential acquisitions. A confidential list of nations that have asked for briefings on the platform includes Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Oman, and UAE. Embraer has taken it upon itself to (a) look at consolidating the EMB-145i into a standard marketable product that the two countries can jointly pitch in the global market, and (b) handle South American operations by itself.

Director of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), lead integrator on the programme, Dr Christopher says, "Currently though the system is customised for the Indian Air force, the AEW&C India can fine tuned to any specific user‐oriented early warning product through appropriate programming/software which can be defined by the user. Many countries are evincing keen interest in the AEW&C system and discussions are in progress for export of this system."

But exports are in the future. The more immediate good news for the programme is what the Indian Air Force thinks of the EMB-145i. In the words of a senior officer associated with the programme, and one who will be part of 4-6 month user evaluation trials aimed for April, the IAF is 'impressed and satisfied'. Those are important words from a customer that hasn't had much faith in the past in long-gestation systems, especially critically needed platforms like early warning jets.

But September, the Indian Air Force hopes to be ready to induct the first of three EMB-145i. A third platform arrives from Brazil by the end of June or early July. The second EMB-145i will also likely enter service by the end of the year.

User trials with the IAF will include the deployment of the aircraft in a special live exercise to be jointly held by the Western and Central Commands, and involve operational situations for the AEW&C. A team from CABS will, of course, be embedded through this phase. Most importantly, there's a rare confidence in the systems and platform.

The IAF officer quoted above says, "These are impressive timelines. Our team has been satisfied with the performance. There are still some ends to tie up in the process of matching requirements with performance, but all major requirements have been demonstrated, including intercept control, battle management, Electronic Support Measure (ESM) and Communication Support Measure (CSM), data handling and the crucial SATCOM links. This could be one of the most trouble-free developments we have had so far."

The official literature on the platform, to be released at Aero India this year, says, "The AEW&C India has managed to pack in several sub-systems namely a highly versatile active array Radar system, Identification friend or foe system, ELINT, COMINT systems, along with multiple combination of ‘C’-Band& SATCOM ‘Ku’-Band voice and Data Links, UHF/VHF/HF communications, & Self Protection Systems - in order to enhance mission capabilities, add redundancies to foolproof operations, and implant self‐protection against missile attacks from ground as compared with its contemporaries on same Embraer aircraft elsewhere in the world."

Speaking of the primary sensor, the heart of the platform, and India's contribution to the system, the Director of CABS Dr S. Christopher says, "While India has caught up with the rest of the world in adopting the Active Electronically Steering Array (AESA) Antenna for its radar; the two building-block components of the radar, the Transmit-Receive Multi-Module (TRMM) and the teflon-clad ultra light Antenna Panel are notable Indian innovations in the radar sub-system. These are developed by CABS and with a joint patent along with M/s Astra Microwave, Hyderabad for TRMM. The most important outcome of the efforts is the realisation of a system that is both operation-efficient and cost-effective."

The reloaded Indian AWACS programme, first revealed here on Livefist, is also gathering speed, with the DRDO expected to move forwarded in choosing an aircraft platform for the project this year.

Source:- LIVEFIST: IAF To Induct 1st Indo-Brazilian AEW&C Jet In Sept

@sancho @Abingdonboy

o man o man . Excellent work by DRDO .

Any news on export orders ? Any one showed interest on them ? How much are we getting.

A confidential list of nations that have asked for briefings on the platform includes Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Oman, and UAE.