bloo
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Indigenous anti-missile system to protect IAF”s Mi-17
The Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopters are being retrofitted with indigenous composite armour and anti-missile systems to enhance their protection envelope and improve their operational capability. The missile protection gear, also called counter measure dispensing system (CMDS), has been developed by state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited and has undergone flight trials. These systems work by dispensing flares or metallic chaff to deflect or “confuse” the heat-seeking sensors or radar receivers of incoming hostile missiles. Composite armour, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will replace the existing imported heavy-steel armour, thereby improving their net payload capacity in high altitude areas like Ladakh. One set of prototype armour panels has undergone successful integration and flight trials on a Mi-17 1-V version at No.3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here and the airworthiness certification process is underway. The modification and retrofitting of the Mi-17 fleet with the CMDS and composite armour will be undertaken at 3 BRD here, which is the nodal agency for providing technical support for Soviet-origin helicopters. The modification of Mi-17s with defensive measures is significant because of their tactical operational role that includes offensive close-air support by mounting rocket pods and machine guns, carrying out special missions, airborne assaults, supporting the Special Forces and undertaking logistic support in forward areas. The IAF had lost a Mi-17 along with its crew while undertaking armed missions in high altitude areas during the 1999 Kargil conflict. Earlier this year, in the first incident of its kind, an IAF Mi-17 crash landed in Chhattisgarh after it was hit by ground fire from naxalites. A police radio operator on board was injured by fire. The IAF began inducting the Mi-17 in 1986, when a total of 53 such helicopters were ordered from Russia.
IDRW
The Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopters are being retrofitted with indigenous composite armour and anti-missile systems to enhance their protection envelope and improve their operational capability. The missile protection gear, also called counter measure dispensing system (CMDS), has been developed by state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited and has undergone flight trials. These systems work by dispensing flares or metallic chaff to deflect or “confuse” the heat-seeking sensors or radar receivers of incoming hostile missiles. Composite armour, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will replace the existing imported heavy-steel armour, thereby improving their net payload capacity in high altitude areas like Ladakh. One set of prototype armour panels has undergone successful integration and flight trials on a Mi-17 1-V version at No.3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here and the airworthiness certification process is underway. The modification and retrofitting of the Mi-17 fleet with the CMDS and composite armour will be undertaken at 3 BRD here, which is the nodal agency for providing technical support for Soviet-origin helicopters. The modification of Mi-17s with defensive measures is significant because of their tactical operational role that includes offensive close-air support by mounting rocket pods and machine guns, carrying out special missions, airborne assaults, supporting the Special Forces and undertaking logistic support in forward areas. The IAF had lost a Mi-17 along with its crew while undertaking armed missions in high altitude areas during the 1999 Kargil conflict. Earlier this year, in the first incident of its kind, an IAF Mi-17 crash landed in Chhattisgarh after it was hit by ground fire from naxalites. A police radio operator on board was injured by fire. The IAF began inducting the Mi-17 in 1986, when a total of 53 such helicopters were ordered from Russia.
IDRW
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