Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Bodhisattva]

Any updates on the Unmanned Stealth Bomber project?

 

[kurup]

IAF transporter sparks alert in Delhi

After Sukhoi scramble, now an Indian Air Force (IAF) transporter causes alert in Delhi when AN-32 tried to land on Delhi runaway number 10, which is closed down for maintenance. The alert Air Traffic Control (ATC) then directed the IAF transporter to runway number 9.

The IAF is also looking into an incident where its An-32 transport aircraft was about to land at a close runway at the Delhi airport earlier this week.

IAF transporter sparks alert in Delhi | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

IAF scrambles Su-30MKI after spotting UFO near Amritsar border

The Indian Air Force scrambled a Su-30MKI after its radars detected a slow moving unidentified flying object going towards Pakistan near Amritsar border and in the process, it came close to two civilian flights operating in that area.

The IAF is also looking into an incident where its An-32 transport aircraft was about to land at a close runway at the Delhi airport earlier this week.

Early last week, “our radars picked up a UFO near Amritsar which was moving slowly towards the International Border with Pakistan” and a Su-30MKI was scrambled from Halwara air base to intercept it, IAF sources said here.

As the aircraft was being launched, the air traffic was asked to be cleared at heights between 25,000 and 30,000 feet as the UFO was flying at 28,000 feet, they said.
Later on, the Su-30MKI identified that the object was a weather balloon which was flying with the wind towards the border and it returned from there after being airborne for around 20 minutes, they said.

Reports suggested that two civilian planes of Thai Airways and another foreign operator were flying around 10 nautical miles away from the IAF aircraft.

The IAF denied that there was any “near-miss incident” involving its aircraft as it was under positive radar coverage and was cleared for operating in that area.

The DGCA is looking into the incident, sources said.

IAF scrambles Su-30MKI after spotting UFO near Amritsar border | idrw.org

 

[Darth Vader]

When The Indian Air Force Undertook Missions To Save And Protect pakistanis

Responding to SOS calls from besieged pakistan Army soldiers, the Indian Air Force [IAF], in 2006, with its Mil Mi-35 "Akbar" attack helicopters, undertook fire support missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC]. Despite coming under attack itself & suffering damages to the Helicopters, the IAF remained committed to the task at hand.

As a result of the firepower it was raining from the air, the IAF created sufficient time & opportunity for the pakistani soldiers to retreat to safer positions. The present Commanding Officer [CO] of the No.125 Helicopter Squadron, "The Gladiators", then deputed to the DRC for the MONUC mission, recalls that event in this video below.

When The Indian Air Force Undertook Missions To Save And Protect pakistanis - AA Me, IN

they were in congo , under un they were not enemy they were working together

 

[kurup]

Sukhoi scares 2 passenger planes with more than 500 passengers

More than 500 passengers had a narrow escape when a mid-air collision was averted after a Sukhoi fighter jet of the Indian Air Force veered dangerously close to two international flights in the Amritsar airpace.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered an inquiry into the incident, which occurred on Thursday.

“The Sukhoi, on its way to Ambala air base, was supposed to fly at 22,000 feet but reached 35,600 feet, assigned to the two international airlines’ flights. Though the fighter jet was supposed to maintain at least 1,000 feet of separation, it was within 700 feet of the civilian flights since it breached its flying path,” said an air traffic control (ATC) official.

Initial investigation revealed that the Sukhoi breached the minimum vertical safety level while ascending in the Amritsar airspace. ATC sources said they tried to contact pilot flying the Sukhoi aircraft but failed. In his statement to the inquiry team, the pilot said that jet’s altitude measuring machine (altimeter) was not working.

Sukhoi scares 2 passenger planes with more than 500 passengers | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Large Indian R-27 (AA-10) Missile Purchase in 2013 Increased Ukraine's Artem's Profits 7 Fold!


A R-27 missile on a MiG-29 at Aero India 2009

In 2013, Ukraine's State Joint Stock Holding Company "Artem" completed the supply of a large consignment of R-27 air-to-air missiles to India.

The number of missiles involved was large enough to have pushed Artem's turnover 7 fold, from UAH 323 million to UAH 2.3 billion.

The semi-active home medium range R-27 series are analogs of late model US AIM-7 Sparrow series BVR missiles.

Thum! Kaun Aata Hai?: Large Indian R-27 (AA-10) Missile Purchase in 2013 Increased Ukraine's Artem's Profits 7 Fold!

 

[kurup]

AEW&CS Project Poised for Successful Completion, AWACS(I) Next


AEW&CS at Aero India 2013

According to a recent written reply in parliament by the Defense Minister, the AEW&CS is on schedule for completion by March 2014.

During DefExpo 2014, a CABS official gave IDP Sentinel pretty much the same message.

The projected which was initially expected to be completed by October 2011 is in its final stages and will be completed by March 2014.

The first EMB-145I to be delivered to India under the contract ceremonially rolled out in Brazil on February 21, 2011.

Embraer has so far delivered 2 EMB-145I aircraft. The third and the last aircraft would be delivered in December 2014.

The two delivered aircraft are fully configured for their role and undergoing acceptance tests by an IAF technical evaluation team. There are no serious issues. The software is being tweaked based on IAF inputs.

After delivering the three EMB-145I AEW&CS, CABS will focus on the AWACS(I) project which will feature a 3 antenna AESA radar housed in a non rotating rotodome, like the one mounted on the IAF's AWACS supplied by Israel, for full 360-deg coverage at all time. The side mounted twin antennas on the current AEW&CS provide 120-deg coverage on either side.

The platform for AWAC(I) is yet to be finalized.

Thum! Kaun Aata Hai?: AEW&CS Project Poised for Successful Completion, AWACS(I) Next

 

[SRP]

Goodwill gesture Indian Air Force’s Symphony Orchestra performs in Tihar Jail on 28th Feb 2014

 

[veekysingh]

View attachment 17627

View attachment 17630

A fixed probe? Is it finalized?

 

[Gessler]

Tarmak007

 

[kurup]

Blow to IAF projects: CBI to probe aero engine scam

A bribery scandal involving aero engines threatens to cast a shadow over several key air force programmes.

he defence ministry has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe bribery allegations against British engineering company Rolls-Royce in connection with contracts to supply aircraft engines to state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The agency will investigate all contracts the firm signed with HAL during 2007-11, an official said.The development could have serious implications for the military’s Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) programme, as the contracts relate to supplying Adour Mk871 engines for AJTs being built under-licence by HAL.

If charges are proved and the firm is eventually blacklisted, there could be implications for other projects too. Rolls-Royce engines also power the IAF’s C 130J Super Hercules special operations aircraft, Jaguar strike fighters and Embraer luxury jets for VVIPs. Roll-Royce could not be reached for comments.

India has inked separate contracts worth more than Rs. 15,000 crore with aerospace major BAE Systems for 123 AJTs. The air force plans to induct 106 AJTs (60-plus already in service), while the remaining are to be assigned to the navy. Only 24 AJTs were supplied by BAE Systems in ‘flyaway condition.’

The Hawks have simplified pilot training by serving as a bridge between subsonic trainers and supersonic fighters such as Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar that combat pilots finally fly.

Defence minister AK Antony has ordered the CBI probe weeks after arms dealer Sudhir Choudhrie and his son Bhanu were arrested in the UK for their alleged involvement in a kickback scandal involving Rolls-Royce. The Serious Fraud Office of the UK is currently probing allegations that the firm paid bribes to bag deals in China and Indonesia.

The investigation comes as a major blow to Rolls-Royce as it has a huge presence in India across defence aerospace, civil aerospace, energy and marine sectors. It has more than 1,350 engines in service in the country, including RB211 engines that power major gas pipelines with Gas Authority of India Limited.

Antony ordered the CBI probe after an HAL investigation found the bribery charges weren’t unsubstantiated.

Blow to IAF projects: CBI to probe aero engine scam | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Air Chief to address IAF Maintenance Commanders Conference tomorrow

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, will be arriving here tomorrow on an official visit to Headquarters Maintenance Command, (MC) of the Indian Air Force.

He will be accompanied by wife Lily Raha, President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA).

The duo will be received by Air Vice Marshal VS Bharti, Senior Air & Administrative Staff Officer, MC, Air Officer Commanding, AF Station Sonegaon at the city airport.

Raha would be addressing the ongoing Maintenance Command Commanders' Conference and would also present trophies to the Base Repair Depots and Equipment Depots, who have excelled in various fields. Lily Raha would preside over the annual Board of Management meeting of AFWWA (Regional) and also attend AFWWA meeting of Sanginis along with Usha Kanakaraj, President AFWWA (Regional) and AFWWA Presidents of various units under Maintenance Command.

She would also review the progress of various welfare schemes and ventures of Maintenance Command Units, a release from Defence PRO said today.

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[kurup]

Desi tyres on Sukhois a runway hit | Tejas, Dhruv, LCH, MiG-29 K line up to script a gripping story



Bangalore: Indian fighter jets have begun the process of changing over to desi tyres, probably signaling an end to escalating cost and non-availability concerns. Indian Air Force (IAF) sources confirm to Express that the India shining story is being scripted by MRF, which has been cleared by the military airworthiness officials to produce the main wheel tyres of frontline fighters Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI). The indigenous tyres, named as Aeromuscle, are 30 per cent cheaper than the imported ones.

The IAF stared looking within the country after facing difficulties in sourcing tyres from abroad. The IAF was even forced to use tyres from its war reserves for some aircraft, after supplies from Russia became an issue. The idea to approach Indian companies was taken up during P V Nayak's tenure as the IAF chief. "MRF agreed to do all design, development and quality tests at their own cost in the interest of nation," an IAF official said. The MRF took the tyres for dynamometer tests thrice to a facility in China, incurring a cost of around Rs 10 crore. (A dynamometer test simulates the entire sequence of taxi, takeoff, landing and braking loads on the tyre.)
"Later, the tyres were sent for trials at the IAF bases in Bareily, Jodhpur and Leh in 2011. They were finally cleared for getting on to IAF assets in 2012. The MRF has so far delivered 350 tyres and the remaining are being manufactured at their plant in Medak, near Hyderabad," the official said. A Sukhoi has two main wheel and two nose wheel tyres.

Seeing the success of Aeromuscle tyres, MRF has now been given the mandate of designing the nose wheel tyres for Sukhois. "Currently, the fitment trials are over and they are being taken to China for the dynamometer tests. By June, these tyres will be sent to Bangalore for the clearance of the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification," the official added.

Speaking to Express from Hyderabad, Dr K Tamilmani, Director-General (Aero), DRDO, confirmed that even the Indian Navy wants Aeromuscle for the MiG-29Ks. "We are planning to even change the Tejas tyres very soon which will be followed by Dornier, Pilatus and Hawk. Currently, the Tejas runs on Dunlop, being imported from the UK," says Tamilmani. He said aircraft tyres normally undergo various tests like burst, air retention, bottoming-up (emptying the air/flat tyres), fitment and taxi.

"By 2015 end, all the military platforms will have a source for indigenous supply. The MRF is currently supplying Chetak helicopter tyres to HAL, Navy and IAF. The Advanced Light Helicopter tyres made by them have also been cleared for commercial production. The tyres for the Light Combat Helicopter have completed the tests and are awaiting flight trials," Tamilmani said. He said the MRF is planning to set up a separate Aero Tyre Division in Medak, with many countries showing interest in these tyres.

"The MRF is also setting up a dynamometer test facility in Medak at a cost of over Rs 20 crore and it should be ready by 2015. The lifespan of a tyre is taken into account with the number of landing, which is normally around 40 to 50 times. Runway conditions, brake applications, temperature difference can also contribute to the wear and tear of the tyre," he said.

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Desi tyres on Sukhois a runway hit | Tejas, Dhruv, LCH, MiG-29 K line up to script a gripping story

 

[Jango]

I was going through some pics on airliner.net and came across this one. What intrigues me is that 'thing' on the nose wheel?

What is it? Cooling fan? But AFAIk, the nose wheels don't have brakes...so why would you need a fan there?

@Oscar, @Dazzler....

 

[Abingdonboy]

I was going through some pics on airliner.net and came across this one. What intrigues me is that 'thing' on the nose wheel?

What is it? Cooling fan? But AFAIk, the nose wheels don't have brakes...so why would you need a fan there?

@Oscar, @Dazzler....

@nuclearpak this is an anti-FOD guard designed to prevent pebbles picked up by the wheel from entering into the air-intakes.