Indian Defence Library

[arp2041]

Trials to evaluate an 'Automatic Ramp Take-Off' system would be carried out shortly at the Shore-Based Test Facility [SBTF], making it, perhaps, the first ski-jump aircraft in the world with this feature.

If developments go according to plan, then Indian Navy aviators, flying the Naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft [LCA Navy], from Aircraft Carriers would have to do virtually nothing during take-off. Efforts are on to incorporate this critical phase of the flight into the aircraft's control laws itself. What it essentially means that computers, on-board the aircraft, running the software developed for its Fly-by-wire system, would be powerful & intelligent enough to propel the plane from Carrier into the air, without much human involvement. This was announced by Mr. Shyam Chetty, of the National Aerospace Laboratories, who is heading the team developing the control laws for the Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] Tejas & the LCA Navy.

Management of aircraft fleet operation from Aircraft Carriers, in the middle of the ocean, are considered to be some of the most difficult tasks, set to exacting standards. Take-off & landing these aircrafts on such a floating platform requiring immense skills & concentration for its execution. Building up a pilot's ability to perform these tasks requires one to undergo an extensive & expensive training regime. Despite such measures, human beings, that the pilots currently are, would still be prone to committing errors, which in their case could result in causing losses amounting to many millions of dollars, all unravelling in the blink of an eye. This is especially true while returning to land on the Carrier after performing many hours of a mission. Fatigue, coupled with the vagaries of maritime environment, impose enormous demands on pilots who are required to land their aircrafts on a deck that has often been described to appear no bigger than a "postage stamp". The challenges of taking-off from such a platform, as seen from the slide below, are just as unforgiving.

Therefore, any system that can safely remove the uncertainties of human decision-making & reactions from the equation while carrying out such critical & demanding operations & introduce predictability, would help make the process that much more robust & secure, in addition to simplifying required training. Developing a practical system for automated take-offs and landings are also crucial for subsequent development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV], operating with higher levels of autonomy. The U.S. Navy's catapult-launched F/A-18 'Super Hornet' aircraft has successfully implemented the such pilot-independent take-offs. It has also demonstrated ability to land on the deck unassisted with the the Automatic Carrier Landing System [ACLS], a feature that was present in the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-38 fighter too. As part of the 'B' variant F-35 Joint Strike Fighter [JSF] development programme, British Defence Evaluation and Research Agency [DERA], & its successor QinetiQ, had carried out successful hands-free vertical landing of a modified Harrier aircraft. Haven't come across any news confirming whether the F-35B's take-off too would be hands-free. Neither has there been any reports to suggest the Chinese are implementing such a system in their recently unveiled J-15 carrier-borne fighter. Thus, from all accounts, when implemented on production aircrafts, LCA Navy would be the first ski-jump aircraft in the world with such a hands-off take-off feature incorporated.

An interesting talk he delivered where he spoke of the immense challenges faced in designing the control laws for the Tejas, an endeavour being undertaken for the very first time in the country.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://nal-ir.nal.res.in/1679/1/jasi_v54_2002.pdf

Automated Take-Off From Aircraft Carriers For India's Naval Light Combat Aircraft [LCA-Navy] - AA Me, IN

 

[arp2041]

DETAILS OF REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE - TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR RLV-TD:

Introduction

ISRO is developing fully Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology for two stage to orbit (TSTO) capability.

The first stage will be powered by a semi cryogenic winged booster capable of flying back and landing on a runway near the launch site like a conventional aircraft after burnout.

The second stage will be cryogenic. It will deliver the satellite into orbit, de-orbit and re-enter the atmosphere and parachute down to a soft landing on balloons.

The RLV has been conceived by ISRO as a space launch system that will significantly cut down launch cost from the present level of around $12,000 / kg.

RLV-TD

As a first step towards developing TSTO capability based on RLVs, ISRO will flight test a Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) that will serve as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion.

ISRO displayed a scale model of the RLV-TD at Aero India 2009.

The RLV-TD will possess wings and tail fins, and will be launched atop a 9 ton solid booster called S-9, similar to the ones on the PSLV.

RLV-TD is reported to be 9m long, with its wing span also measuring 9m.
Design Approval

On January 5, 2012, DNA reported that the National Review Committee had approved the design of the RLV-TD.

An Isro official said design-related issues have been addressed and presented to the National Review Committee and clearance obtained to go ahead to build the RLV-TD.

Wind Tunnel Tests

ISRO has a hypersonic wind tunnel facility at VSSC, Trivandrum installed by Hind High Vacuum (HHV) Bangalore. The system comprises three Horton Spheres, each 16.3m dia. and 2200 cu m capacity. The system has two parallel pumping trains, each with two mechanical booster pumps with pumping speed of 30,000 cu m / hr backed successively by a 14,000 cu m / hr and 7,000 cu m / hr booster pump and finally by three rotary piston pumps, each with a pumping speed of 1325 cu m / hr.

As in January 2012, the facility was in the process of being commissioned.

Phased Development

Reusable Launch Vehicle technology will be developed in phases through a series of trial flights.

The first in the series of trials is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX) followed by the landing experiment (LEX), return flight experiment (REX) and scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).
Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX)

Flight testing will start with RLV-TD (HEX). During the mission, a booster rocket will take the RLV to a specific altitude and release it. The booster rocket will fall back into the sea. The lofted RLV will re-enter the atmosphere independently and be guided for a controlled landing in the sea.

In the first trial-flight, the RLV will not be recovered from sea because it will not be cost-effective to do so. ISRO will instead use telemetry data data on the re-entry, deceleration and return.

Landing Experiment (LEX)

In the second phase RLV will be tested without its scramjet engine. After burnout, the booster will separate and fall away, and the RLV-TD will go on to make an unpowered ascent.

The RLV-TD will then re-enter the atmosphere at hypersonic speed and use aerodynamic breaking to decelerate. It will be brought to a gliding, unpowered cruise speed of about 0.8 mach, and slowed down further to make a horizontal landing.
Return Flight Experiment (REX)

In this phase, the RLV-TD will be launched to orbit and then de-orbited for a landing on a runway.

Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX)

Eventually, the RLV will be powered by an air breathing scram jet which is being developed under a separate project called Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV).

Target Completion Date

When initially announced, it was hoped that RLV technology will mature by 2015, by which time the solid rocket booster capable of being recovered and reused would have been developed, as also the scramjet engine to power the RLV.

In June 2011, ISRO Chairman Dr. Radhakrishnan indicated that the program is behind schedule.

First flight of RLV, initially planned for 2010-2011 will now take place in 2012-2013.

“We have to understand a gamut of technologies and also prove many new systems. We have to study the aerodynamics of a winged body, the auto pilot, the aero-thermo dynamics, thermal protection system, the de-boost operations for re-entry, navigation and guidance to land precisely on the ground. Of course, some of the lessons learnt from the space shuttle will be incorporated in this vehicle,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.

Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) - Indian Space Projects

Also a good read:

http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:121518/Reddy_afmc_16_07.pdf

 

[arp2041]

Indian Listening Station In Oman Monitoring Pakistan's Naval Communications


As claimed by the France-based, privately-operated, global intelligence gathering organisation, Indigo Publications, in its 'Intelligence Online' publication.

This, from its January 16 2013 newsletter.

"India opens its ears - European intelligence services are keenly speculating on the purpose of a listening post that has been active for at least two years on the outskirts of Ras al-Hadd, at the northeasternmost tip of Oman. Located on an isolated rocky plateau just 2 km from the sea, the site which is protected by police checkpoints in not among the listed US listening post in the country (see below), and it may be the first Indian listening post in the Persian Gulf. Several reasons make this likely. While Saudi Arabia and most other kingdoms in the region are allied to Pakistan, Oman has active diplomatic relations with India, with whom it signed a defence agreement in 2008. Construction of the Ras al-Hadd listening post was finished a year later. The facility is also located directly across the Arabian Sea from Pakistan. India has had an interception post in the far north of Madagascar since 2007 and is planning to build others in the Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius."


As seen from the Google Maps image, above, the Indian listening post is practically a front door neighbour [~400 kms] to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, one that it wants China to develop into a major Naval installation, among other fantastical longings. If plans for such a base, located in a province that has been waging a struggle for its independence from the existing Pakistani state for more than 60 years, do materialise, then India would be favourably placed to monitor the upsurge in communications emanating from there [SIGINT]. Of all the monarchies in the Middle-East, India has enjoyed an especially close & friendly relationship with the Omani kingdom. Besides periodic joint military exercises, involving all 3 branches of the Armed Forces, Oman has also granted it berthing rights for Indian Naval Warships to replenish its stocks & its sailors to step on land for Rest & Recuperation, during the course of long deployments away from home, an increasing trend in the Navy's mission profile. Such an arrangement with Oman fits perfectly with the Indian Government stating the extent from the Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait being within the ambit of its 'Area of Operation'/'Sphere of Interest'. Yet another indication of Indo-Omani relations being robust & one based on trust was the recent report which stated that the kingdom had approached India to carry out the task of fencing its International Borders with Yemen, a critical security measure to keep the kingdom safe from influence of Islamist terrorists. Despite these gains, the relationship holds potential for a lot more, especially given that one sits on major energy reserves & the other is an even greater consumer of it. Relationships wrapped around Carbon - diamonds, oil alike - the strongest.

India, with its closer proximity & historical contact with the African & Middle-Eastern region, has thus far managed to gain an upper hand viz-a-viz China, on matters of militarily significant presence in that region. However, one needn't be exceedingly intelligent to deduce that China, with its deeper pockets and propensity to buy out any opposition is sparing no efforts to follow suite. On China's efforts thus far,

"China's floating facilities - Although it is trailing behind in the Arabian sea listening post race, China is nonetheless working iall out to install permanent interception facilities in the region. Chinese specialists now support Pakistan and Iran's intelligence services, however these only have very limited interception capacities.

To boost its presence in the region, the 3rd Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, which is in charge of interception, is working to develop its ties with countries such as Djibouti and Kenya, however this has yet to produce any concrete results.

In the meantime, China regularly dispatches "oceanographic observation" vessels, crammed with sophisticated interception material, to the Arabian Sea. These frequently fid themselves crossing paths with the Dupuy de Lôme, the French Navy sea intelligence ship that entered into service 2006 and also spends much of its time in the same waters."

Beside the above listening post, India has long been helping nations in the Indian Ocean Region [IOR] set up security infrastructure, and providing military hardware. Besides the additional SIGINT stations planned in other countries, as stated above, India has also completed the task of linking up its coastal radars on its West coast, with those it has installed on each of Maldives' islands. Similar inter-linking plans with Sri Lanka & Mauritius are also to be implemented. The Armed Forces have also regularly been engaging in joint military exercises with them, besides imparting training. In addition to these, the Navy & Coast Guards also assist by carrying out hydrographic surveys & maritime surveillance of their EEZ. The Indian Navy has been deputing its officers to help manage Mauritius' Coast Guard's operations. Militarily India has a distinct advantage, by a comfortable margin, over China which is seen to be earnestly trying to gain a foothold in the IOR. Understanding the challenges such developments pose to Indian interests & concerns, it is absolutely imperative for India to leverage & strengthen its long-standing relationships with nations in the IOR, guarding against any unwarranted ingress. Developments over the past few years do indicate that the Indian leadership is wholly cognizant of this fact and has been seen taking measures to address these, though the pace at which it seem to be occurring leads one to conclude that there could be ample scope for improvement in the effort.

Indian Listening Station In Oman Monitoring Pakistan's Naval Communications [RUMINT] - AA Me, IN

Also Read: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=...Bilateral_Brief_-_for_Oman__February_2013.pdf

 

[arp2041]

India's Radar Imaging Satellite Programme - The Complete Lowdown - AA Me, IN

 

[arp2041]

List of Satellites that India has launched or built, so far, for International customers, through the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO].

Efforts of 60+ years of India's Space program & leadership provided by visionaries like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai & Dr. Satish Dhawan, are slowly, but steadily, bearing fruits for the country. Progressive maturity & advancement of the program is providing the needed confidence & incentive to Space agencies of other countries to enter into collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation [I.S.R.O].

As an outcome of this enhanced confidence for co-operation, foreign Space agencies have started making use of India's Satellite Launch Vehicle [S.L.V] technology, a platform developed & possessed by few countries of the world today, for launching their own satellites - a higly profitable service when performed for heavy, commercial payloads.

The following chart lists out all foreign satellites launched by I.S.R.O. till date, the latest being the VesselSat-1, built by manufacturer LuxSpace for Telecommunication company ORBCOMM, aboard the PSLV C-18 launch on the 12th of October 2011.

As evident, the foreign satellites launched by ISRO, up until now have mostly been research-oriented & experimental in nature, of lighter weight1. This is because satellites used for commercial applications, like telecommunication & broadcasting normally weigh upwards of 2-2.5 tonnes [India's latest communication satellite GSAT-11 would weigh 4.5 tonnes] & need to be put in the Geosynchronous orbit. The workhorse of India's Satellite launch capability, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [P.S.L.V.], on the other hand, can lift around 1.5 tonnes in its most powerful configuration, PSLV-XL, into the Geostationary Orbit, stretching the limits of its design capabilities. As a result, ISRO itself contracts the services of the Arianespace SA2 for putting into orbit India's heavy communication satellite.

To address the limitations of the PSLV, ISRO is currently pursuing the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [G.S.L.V] &, subsequently, a Mark III variant. Once completed, it would be in a position to launch all of its own satellites. After satisfactorily proving the platform through multiple successful launches3, it would, perhaps, be advantageously positioned to even offer the services of the GSLV to launch heavy communication satellites for other countries too - cost advantages likely to favor India, vis-à-vis current players.

Further down the line, India would seek to replace these Launch Vehicles, that can be used only for a single launch, with a Reusable Launch Vehicle, on lines of the now retired American Space Shuttle. It is estimated to further reduce launch costs for the organisation.

ISRO earned the country a revenue of around $20 Million USD in 2010 through its service offerings. Further development of the Space program & an increased portfolio of services to offer would further help generate revenue for the country.

Foreign Satellite Launch & Construction by Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] [UPDATED: 2013.03.03] - AA Me, IN

 

[arp2041]

 

[arp2041]

An interactive, animated model, highlighting important sub-systems of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV] & their operations:

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV] - How It Functions - AA Me, IN

@Dillinger please have a look buddy.

 

[arp2041]

NDTV Video on Iron Fist:

???? ????? : ?????? ????? ??... Video: NDTV.com

+ Good Read on J&K:

Jammu & Kashmir, India - introductory reading - AA Me, IN

 

[Abingdonboy]

The antenna-array design of the Ashwin AESA-based low-level ‘gapfiller’ radar now being developed by LRDE. This radar will be used in conjunction with the SR-SAM that will be co-developed by the DRDO and MBDA:

 

[Abingdonboy]

IAF's/IA's SPYDER ADS

Firing the Python 5 missile:

Command & Control Unit:

Missile Loading Unit:

SPYDER is a quick reaction, low level surface-to-air missile system designed to effectively counter attacks by aircraft, helicopters UAVs and precision guided munitions. The system provides excellent protection of valuable assets, as well as first-class defense for forces located in the combat area. The SPYDER system incorporates RAFAEL's most advanced, proven performance air-to-air missiles – the Derby active radar (RF) missile and Python-5, a dual waveband Imaging Infra Red (IIR) missile. SPYDER missiles have full commonality with the air-to-air missile version.

SPYDER's truck-mounted Missile Firing Units (MFU) are equipped with both IIR and RF missiles. The MFU carries any combination (IIR/RF) of four missiles on a rotatable launcher assembly. The system's high mobility allows quick deployment and operational agility. The SPYDER System has 360° engagement capability during day or night and under all weather conditions. The SPYDER System can engage multi threats simultaneously. It has Lock-On-Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-On-After Launch (LOAL) modes of operation. The intercept envelope of the SPYDER system spans from less than 1km to 15 km, against targets flying at altitudes between 20 m and 9,000 m.

SPYDER's highly modular structure allows simple adaptations to customers’ platforms and future growth. A standard SPYDER missile battery has up to six missile firing units per battery and a command and control unit.

The truck-mounted Command and Control Unit (CCU) comprises the Elta EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar. The surveillance radar has advanced ECCM capabilities and can simultaneously track multi-targets. Wireless data link communication enables deployment of the MFUs at a distance from the CCU. The CCU is also capable of operating with neighbouring SPYDER air defence batteries and share information with higher echelons. This interoperability capability provides the SPYDER air defense system with high flexibility in combat situations.

SPYDER was developed in cooperation with IAI.

System's Main Features
Full commonality with RAFAEL's air/air missile
Effective against low altitude air threats
Short and medium range performance
Fire and forget or fire and update capability
Multiple target and cluster target engagements
Mobility in difficult terrain


Brochure:

http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/1/1201.pdf

 

[arp2041]

Some Good Read:

Life At The Officers Training Academy [OTA], Chennai [Suggested Weekend Reading] - AA Me, IN

Dakshin Gangotri Station: Pride of India [Antarctica] [suggested weekend reading] - AA Me, IN

Understanding Nuclear Energy and Technology [suggested weekend reading] - AA Me, IN

Famous Indian Scientists [Weekend Reading] - AA Me, IN

Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] Tejas: the people & their pursuit (weekend reading) - AA Me, IN

@Dillinger

 

[arp2041]

DRDO Seeks Indian Industry Participation To Develop SATCOM Data Link For The Rustom-II UAV

"The Data Link System is one of the major systems of UAV that is based on Digital Communications Techniques and provides full duplex communication between UAV & Ground Control Station."

DRDO Lab, the Defence Electronics Application Laboratory [DEAL], Dehradun, recently issued a notice soliciting participation to develop the data-link for the country's first indigenous Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance [MALE] Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV], the Rustom II. As specified in the notice [below], it would like the Indian private sector industry to respond to this project. This is a significant move on part of the DRDO towards greater private sector participation in India's defence programmes - a move upwards through the value chain.

As seen in the diagram on top, the data link could be broadly classified into 2 segments - the Air Component & the Ground component. The entity eventually chosen would initially have to build prototypes that it would need to submit for testing & certification to the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification [CEMILAC]. This includes building

4 examples of Air Data Terminals [ADT-Sat]
2 examples of Ground Data Terminals [GDT-Sat]
supporting system for the GDT-Sat
3 copies of Documentations

Successful CEMILAC certification should pave the way for private sector contribution of this critical system.

Judging from the guidelines laid down in the document, the role of the industry would, in great parts, be that of a system integrator, with DEAL & ADE1 having conceptualised the broad outlines of the datalink's architecture. The vendor is expected to build the data-link, mostly using Commercial Off-The-Shelf [COTS] Line-Replaceable Unit [LRU]. The system would also incorporate some classified sub-systems, that DEAL/ADE have developed, which they would provide to the vendor. Some of these include the Integrated Payload Processing Unit for air & ground components5, Spread Spectrum Modem6, among others. Of these DEAL would do a Transfer of Technology [ToT] for the Ground Integrated Payload Processing Unit [GIPPU] to the vendor during the production-stage, for them to be able to manufacture it themselves. The other, the ground & airborne Spread Spectrum Modem would, in all likelihood, be built at a state-owned DPSU2, like Bharat Electronics Ltd [BEL] in tamper-proof casings.

The document provides some tantalising clues & confirmation of the Rustom-II's capabilities. The block diagram on top, for example, depicts a Ship Control Station [R2-SCS], a feature of this UAV that has been made public for the very first time, AFAIK. Its interaction with the Rustom-II, however, would be purely through Line of Sight [LOS] communication. This raises the question whether DRDO is building this MALE UAV, or has planned for the near future, for it to be ship-launched. If that is the case, one can't help but conclude that DRDO has set itself some highly ambitious goals to achieve. The American Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA] has recently initiated a programme called the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node [TERN] to achieve these very objectives. A more explainable feature would be an arrangement whereby the Rustom-II would take-off & land at a ground-based airstrip, with the intermediate command being handed over to the ship-based control for the mission, something that the Navy has reported to be doing, albeit as a work-around measure. In the Rustom II, it would become a standard operating feature.

As seen in the block diagram of the Air Data Terminal [ADT-SAT], the UAV would have 2-way flow of audio signal. This confirms earlier reports that the the Rustom-II, besides visual intelligence gathering [TV camera & FLIR] would also be capable of Communications Intelligence [COMINT]3 as well as a range extender, becoming an ad-hoc communication node, relaying audio messages4. UAVs India currently operates are not known to have the latter capability.

The UAV, as seen above, is to use signals from the GPS/GLONASS satellite constellation for stabilising & pointing the antenna mounted on the UAV [Airborne Satcom Antenna Assembly (SAAA)] in the right direction. No mention of India's own IRNSS. Perhaps, once the IRNSS constellation is up & running, its signals could be tapped into with a suitable change to an LRU.

Of the video feed, as seen in the ADT-SAT block diagram, it shows three feeds - 2 feeds from the payload to the AIPPU & 1 outwards from the AIPPU. The two video feeds is likely provided into the AIPPU for redundancy as both of them are shown to be capable of Color/Mono/FLIR transmission [refer to table 2.1.1., page 26 in the document embedded below]. The function of the 'Video Out' signal specified in the table needs to be figured out.

The vendor would have to realise the project within 15 months of being awarded the contract. Given that it was announced that the Rustom-II would make its maiden flight in the month of February in 2014, it would mean that the flight would take place without the SATCOM feature in place, relying solely on the C-Band Line Of Sight [LOS] communication for its initial flight-tests.

All things considered, this notice that DRDO has issued is a highly encouraging development.

Development Of SATCOM Data Link for India's Rustom-II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV]

DRDO Seeks Indian Industry Participation To Develop SATCOM Data Link For The Rustom-II UAV - AA Me, IN

 

[Mritunjaya]

Why the hell is such sensitive data about Rustom posted in a pakistani forum ? Even that tender is for qualified Indian companies and not for everybody.

I work in satcom domain and I know this kind of data should never be posted in a pakistani forum. What is wrong with you people ? If pakistan has to get that information let them spend manpower, time and money trying to get it ...why on earth are you making it easy for them to collect all this information ?

 

[arp2041]

Why the hell is such sensitive data about Rustom posted in a pakistani forum ? Even that tender is for qualified Indian companies and not for everybody.

I work in satcom domain and I know this kind of data should never be posted in a pakistani forum. What is wrong with you people ? If pakistan has to get that information let them spend manpower, time and money trying to get it ...why on earth are you making it easy for them to collect all this information ?

Buddy it's the info easily available on net, i have given the link also.

See the link is from a blog post.

If a common man with a blog knows it, than what manpower & money you are talking about??

Any one has to just follow that blog.

Even than if you think that this is a sensitive info, i can delete it.

@Abingdonboy, mate, can you help me resolve the matter??? I am confused.

 

[Mritunjaya]

Exercise your own discretion that is all I can say .....I would not like to police the internet, but information you have posted makes no sense to the general population in this forum, but it can make sense for anyone looking to jam the com link or use other forms of EW.