Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[jha]

Indian Airborne Early Warning Aircraft On Track

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) says its homegrown Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&CS), integrated on a modified Brazilian Embraer EMB-145, will fly by the end of 2011.

Dr. Prahlada, head of DRDO, tells AVIATION WEEK the first EMB-145 will land in India by January 2011, and the integration work is set to begin by the middle of next year.

“Once operational, the indigenous AEW&CS will be a very cost-effective one and in many ways it will be the cheapest in the world. We are monitoring its progress very closely,” he says.

The Bengaluru-based Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) is handling development, with the program’s total cost pegged at Rs 1,800-2,000 crore ($389.3 million-$432.6 million).

India and Brazil signed a deal in 2008 under which Embraer will modify its EMB-145 to carry the Active Array Antenna Unit on the aircraft’s fuselage.

“Three modified EMB-145s would be developed under the agreement and will be delivered in phases,” Prahlada adds. “The indigenous AEW&CS would detect, identify and classify threats present in the surveillance area and act as a command-and-control center to support air operations.”

The first Indo-Brazil joint defense committee met in New Delhi on Aug. 25 to expand its existing bilateral defense cooperation accord. A high-level delegation from Brazil also visited CABS on Aug. 27 as part of Joint Defense Committee proceedings. “The visit was to familiarize with the indigenous Embraer EMB-145-based AWE&CS program of DRDO, with CABS being the nodal agency for the Indian air force [IAF],” a source says. The IAF wants 20 more such platforms.

 

[RPK]

Tarmak007 -- An Indian Defence blog with a difference: Twin treat: Videos of C-130J Super Hercules in action & the making of the big bird

 

[sudhir007]

To counter China, IAF to upgrade Ladakh airstrip

IAF now plans to upgrade its Nyoma advanced landing ground ( ALG) in Eastern Ladakh, which was re-activated when an AN-32 transport landed there in September 2009, into an operational airbase.

Defence ministry sources on Monday said IAF has submitted a proposal to develop Nyoma into ”a full-fledged airfield, capable of handling all kinds of aircraft, including fighters”, as well as civilian flights. Incidentally, defence minister A K Antony himself had visited Nyoma in June this year.

The reactivation of Nyoma, located just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control with China at an altitude of 13,300 feet, as well as other ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi and Fukche over the last couple of years has been done with the stated objective of connecting remote regions of Ladakh with the mainland to promote tourism and other economic activity.

But the real aim is to counter the massive build-up of military infrastructure by China all along the 4,056-km LAC. Coupled with building of road links in the region, reopening of such ALGs will create more access points for the armed forces to border areas with India’s two traditional rivals, Pakistan and China. Such infrastructure will help India rush troops to the region if there is an emergency.

As reported earlier by TOI, after reactivating western sector ALGs, IAF is also upgrading eastern sector ALGs like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

[sudhir007]

IAF seems to be in “very bad shape”, observes Tribunal

It seems the Indian Air Force is in a ”very bad shape” and there is ”petty-mindedness” among its authorities, the Armed Forces Tribunal observed on Monday citing the kind of cases that are being filed by the air warriors against the Service.

The Tribunal’s Principal Bench headed by Chairperson Justice A K Mathur made the remarks while issuing notice to the IAF and asking it to file a reply in a pension-related plea filed by a Corporal.

While hearing the case, he said that with the kind of cases being filed by the service personnel, it seems that the IAF was in a “very bad shape” and showed the “petty-mindedness” of the authorities.

The case was filed by Corporal Chanderbhan Dhankar, who has been refused pension by the IAF even though he has served only five days less than the mandatory pensionable service of 15 years.

The Tribunal had last week too slammed the IAF authorities for their “arbitrary” approach against airmen and asked them to be more “humane”.

Hearing a plea by Corporal Ashit Kumar Mishra, who was not given an NOC by the Indian Air Force to join a group ‘B’ civil service job in Uttar Pradesh, the Tribunal had termed such an approach as “suicidal”.

 

[SpArK]

IAF to upgrade Ladakh airstrip


NEW DELHI: IAF now plans to upgrade its Nyoma advanced landing ground ( ALG) in Eastern Ladakh, which was re-activated when an AN-32 transport landed there in September 2009, into an operational airbase.

Defence ministry sources on Monday said IAF has submitted a proposal to develop Nyoma into ''a full-fledged airfield, capable of handling all kinds of aircraft, including fighters'', as well as civilian flights. Incidentally, defence minister A K Antony himself had visited Nyoma in June this year.

The reactivation of Nyoma, located just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control with China at an altitude of 13,300 feet, as well as other ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi and Fukche over the last couple of years has been done with the stated objective of connecting remote regions of Ladakh with the mainland to promote tourism and other economic activity.

But the real aim is to counter the massive build-up of military infrastructure by China all along the 4,056-km LAC. Coupled with building of road links in the region, reopening of such ALGs will create more access points for the armed forces to border areas with India's two traditional rivals, Pakistan and China. Such infrastructure will help India rush troops to the region if there is an emergency.

As reported earlier by TOI, after reactivating western sector ALGs, IAF is also upgrading eastern sector ALGs like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh.

Read more: To counter China, IAF to upgrade Ladakh airstrip - The Times of India To counter China, IAF to upgrade Ladakh airstrip - The Times of India

 

[marcos98]

India, US may sign $3.5 billion defence deal​

NEW DELHI: The largest-ever defence deal between India and the US — acquisition of 10 C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft by the Indian Air Force for $3.5 billion, nearly Rs 16,100 crore at current exchange rates, — is likely to be inked during US President Barack Obama’s planned visit to India this November.

Negotiations have reached the final stage and each of the giant transport aircraft, which can carry helicopters too, would be priced at around $300 million. After spares and maintenance are included, the final deal size would be around $3.5 billion, making it the biggest defence deal between the two countries.

The C-17, also known as Hercules C-17, was deployed by the US in Iraq as well as Afghanistan. It is utilised for air dropping paratroopers and supplies, emergency evacuation and carrying heavy equipment like tanks.

Interestingly, a C-17 accompanies the US President when he flies on the Air Force One, carrying the Presidential limousine and security apparatus. The C-17 is manufactured by Boeing and the IAF deal is being concluded through government-to-government negotiations under the US’ Foreign Military Sales programme. The IAF wants the C-17 to replace its Russian Ilyushin IL-76 fleet that now acts as its primary transport aircraft. The IL-76 fleet is ageing and the C-17 is likely to provide IAF with much stronger transport capabilities.

Having a modern transport aircraft will also help in relief operations during natural calamities.

While the deal would be finalised at the government level, Boeing will handle its implementation as well as the offsets. Mark Kronenberg, vice-president for international business development at Boeing’s defence, space and security division, said India would have the largest C-17 fleet outside the US once the deal is successfully concluded. Currently, UK has the largest C-17 fleet outside the US with eight aircraft, followed by Qatar and Australia. Without going into the deal’s timing or its value, he said that Boeing would come into the picture after the two governments complete their negotiations.

The C-17 acquisition will be bigger than the $2-billion deal for eight P-81 maritime reconnaissance planes signed in 2009, highly-placed government sources said. It is a major agreement between the two governments, they said on condition of anonymity. This huge order will come in handy for the Obama administration to highlight as one of the steps it has taken to rev up the US economy and create employment. Indian companies will also benefit since the government’s offset policy mandates that 30% of the deal value flows back as offset business. The offset business for this deal is estimated to be around $1 billion.

The C-17 can carry a payload of around 77,500 kg and has a range of more than 5,200 km. It can land even on runways that are just 3,500 ft long and 90 ft wide. The cruise speed of this heavy-lift transport aircraft is around 853 km/hour. The IAF had conducted a trial with the C-17 in June.

Ever since the two countries entered into a strategic alliance, India has been buying American defence equipment. In 2009, for example, a $1-billion deal for six C-130 J ‘Super Herculus’ aircraft was inked and earlier this year 24 Harpoon Block III anti-ship missiles were bought for $170 million. The government also bought special VVIP aircraft from the US — also Boeing made —for use by the Prime Minister and the President.

The US President is likely to visit Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar in November, the sources added. Obama is likely to stay at the Taj in Mumbai, which was attacked by terrorists in 2008, as a sign of solidarity with India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. He is also likely to visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, another site of the deadly terrorist attack.

 

[marcos98]

PICTURES: Indian C-130J completes first engine run

Lockheed Martin has released images showing India's first C-130J tactical transport performing engine runs for the first time.

Pictured at the company's Marietta production facility in Georgia on 21 September, the aircraft is one of six on order for the nation's air force.

Lockheed says the stretched-fuselage Hercules - previously pictured carrying the registration KC-3801 - will make its flight debut in early October. The aircraft has had an inflight refuelling probe installed above its cockpit since the last images were released.

 

[SpArK]

 

[Leonidas]

IAF wants radars for hilly terrain

NEW DELHI: IAF now wants a major induction of long-range surveillance radars (LRSRs) and high-power radars (HPRs) to bolster air defence coverage in ''hilly terrain'' in the hinterland as well as along the borders with China and Pakistan.

This comes after IAF has already inked contracts for 19 LLTRs (low-level transportable radars), four MPRs (medium-power radars) and 30 indigenous medium-range Rohini radars, among others.

Apart from lightweight mountain radars for high altitude areas, plans are also afoot to procure nine more Aerostat radars to add to the two EL/M-2083 Israeli Aerostats inducted earlier as well as two additional Awacs (airborne warning and control systems) to supplement the first three Israeli Phalcon Awacs bought under a $1.1-billion deal.

The overall aim of all this is to ensure Indian airspace, which still has several gaping holes, especially over central and peninsular India, becomes impregnable against hostile aircraft, drones and helicopters.

As for the LRSRs and HPRs, IAF's global request of information (RFI) says these active aperture phased array radars, which will ''be used for air defence surveillance, command and control in hilly terrain'', should be able to classify large, medium and small aircraft, drones and helicopters at a range of 450 to 600km automatically.

Though IAF is yet to specify numbers, the procurement is likely to be large since the RFI specifies that the project will involve a ''phased manufacturing programme'' leading to indigenous production under transfer of technology.
With advanced ''electronic counter-counter measures'', the LRSRs and HPRs should also be capable of being integrated into the IACCS (integrated air command and control system).

IAF wants radars for hilly terrain - The Times of India

 

[marcos98]

Honeywell hopes for big business from IAF projects​

BY: Business-standard.com

Honeywell’s aerospace division said here that the company is partnering Indian companies to address the needs of offsets arising from the defence deals.

Meanwhile, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been contracted by the global aerospace major Honeywell to manufacture over 600 small aircraft engines for the global market over the next 10 years.

Speaking to reporters here, Pritam Bhavnani, President, Honeywell Aerospace India, said, Honeywell had developed a new engine for the Jaguar aircraft. “We have provided the engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the Indian Air Force,” he added.

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

HAL will also make engine parts for Honeywell. He said, “We have signed a deal with HAL for the manufacture of engine components in three phases. HAL has completed 98 per cent of the work for first phase; around 60 per cent of work in second phase is also complete.”

He said, “HAL will manufacture engine -TPE331-12 for civil aircrafts. We have given order for 25 kits (600 engines) of which HAL has already delivered around eight kits.” The company, which sees India as a huge market, said it’s F125IN engine can be used for upgrading the Jaguar fighter used by the IAF. “We are ready with engines and awaiting for request for procurement (RFP),” Bhavnani said.

On the role of Honeywell’s facilities in Bangalore, Bhavnani said employees here had contributed to the development of the smart runaway landing and smart landing system. He said, the system would help aircraft pilots have “better situational awareness, especially in adverse weather conditions.” He said, Emirates and Alaska Airlines, and others had shown interest in procuring the system.

 

[redpearl75]

Indian C-130 Super Hercules Makes First Flight in October; Delivery Scheduled for December 2010

Lockheed Martin has confirmed that first of the C-130 Super Hercules for the Indian Air Force is scheduled to be delivered in December 2010. The first of six aircrafts will make its first flight in October.

Purchased from the US in a $1 billion deal, India's six stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s would provide the Indian Army and Indian Air Force "new special operations capabilities using the world's most advanced air-lifter", according to Lockheed. Equipped with India-unique operational equipment, including an infrared detection set (IDS), the aircraft for the first time will provide the IAF an ability to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and landings in blackout conditions.

To ensure 80 percent availability of the aircraft at any given time, Lockheed Martin has offered a long-term maintenance contract to the IAF on the lines of the ones it has with the US Air Force and the air forces of Australia, Britain and Canada. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of an airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

The flexible design of the Super Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing for one aircraft to perform the role of many. Much of the special mission equipment added to the Super Hercules is removable, allowing the aircraft to quickly switch between roles. The C-130J Super Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.

The aircraft can also be configured with the "enhanced cargo handling system". The system consists of a computerized load-master's station from where the user can remotely control the under floor winch. The cargo compartment is approximately 41 feet long, 9 feet high, and 10 feet wide, and loading is from the rear of the fuselage. Initially developed for the USAF, this system enables rapid role changes to be carried out and so extends the C-130J's time available to complete tasks.

These combined changes have improved performance over its C-130E/H siblings, such as 40 percent greater range, 21 percent higher maximum speed, and 41 percent shorter take-off distance.

 

[redpearl75]

 

[brahmastra]

Contract Signed For IAF HPT-32 Parachute Recovery System, First Mil Deal For US Firm

I'd reported here in March about HAL's plans to give the Indian Air Force's fleet of HPT-32 basic trainer aircraft parachute recovery systems. The fast-track tender was contracted today to BRS Aerospace, possibly the only company that bid. Excerpts from what the American firm put out today:

BRS Aerospace of South St. Paul, manufacturer of whole-airplane parachutes, announced it has been contracted to integrate and help certify its parachute recovery systems for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) HPT-32 basic training aircraft used by the Indian Air Force.

Frank Hoffmann, BRS Aerospace VP of Engineering, will travel to India immediately with a team of engineers to begin the process of adding the ballistic recovery system to the HPT-32 aircraft. "I anticipate being able to have a design ready this Fall," he says. Once BRS has completed their installation design, Hoffmann will work closely with HAL, the aircraft's manufacturer, and the Indian Air Force, to test and certify the customized whole-airframe parachute system. "The whole program is expected to be completed in a very short period of time," Hoffmann adds.

BRS Aerospace claims that its recovery systems have saved the lives of more than 255 people.

"This is a very significant milestone for not only BRS but for aviation safety as well," said Boris Popov, BRS founder and current VP of Public Affairs. "While BRS products have been successfully introduced into the civilian aviation markets for years, this is the first usage of the BRS system for the military trainer aircraft market..."

Livefist

 

[marcos98]

IAF to get more flying machines​

CHENNAI: Indian Air Force (IAF) will procure an array of fighter aircraft and equipment with new technologies to mark its presence in every inch of the Indian skies.

This was announced by Air Marshal PV Athawale, air officer commanding -in-chief, maintenance command at the Air Force Association- Tamil Nadu branch's 30th anniversary held at Tambaram on Saturday.

"Trials of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) are on. We will also be purchasing heavy-lift transport aircraft, attack and medium-lift helicopters and refuelling aircraft. The replacement of radars and missiles is also in the pipeline," he said.

Athawale said the gigabyte digital information grid of IAF, Air Force Network (AFNET) was launched on September 14. "Work on the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) is also on. Through this IAF will connect all of its space, air and ground assets quickly, for total awareness of a region. This will offer connectivity for all the ground platforms and airborne platforms, as a part of the network centricity of IAF," he said.

The IACCS also facilitates real-time transport of images, data and voice, amongst satellites, aircraft and ground stations, said Athawale. Speaking about man power, he said efforts were being made to train future air warriors using the most modern technology.

 

[Tejas-MkII]

Angle of Attack: Two more Phalcons for IAF !

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010
Two more Phalcons for IAF !

We have learnt that IAF is looking seriously into purchase two more IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon AWACS systems. IAF is obviously impressed with the Israeli system and just like Su-30MKI would like to add more to its current fleet of 3 aircrafts (2 in service, 1 on order).
The Indian version of Phalcon is based on the Russian transport aircraft Il-76 which has range of 5000kms approx with the Phalcon system on-board. The Phalcon itself is stated to have a detection range of 500kms and instrument range of 1000kms. According to Federation of American Scientists Phalcon is currently the best AWACS system in the world.

Detection and Instrument range of EL/M-2075 is classified and the figures mentioned above are best estimates available.
Image from weapons and technology.