'MiG -21' safest flying machines

[HAIDER]

CHANDIGARH: MiG-21 aircraft, once known as 'flying coffins', are now not only among the safest flying machines, but are more lethal for the enemy. Number of mid-air crashes is now almost zero since these have been upgraded. And induction of a training schedule for pilots has brought down human error while manoeuvring.

This year, two combat aircraft have crashed, but none of them is MiG-21 Bison, the upgraded version of old MiG-21. IAF officers told TOI , "The MiGs are more safer than ever before. Only four MiG-21 Bison aircraft have crashed since their induction in 2002. IAF plans to fly the Bisons - which it describes as an almost brand new fighter, with latest avionics, improved gearboxes and other advanced systems - till 2017."

The latest technology in aviation registers 0.5 accidents every 10,000 hours of flying and the old technology touches 1.75 crashes in similar number of flying hours.

MiG-21 Type 75, MiG-21 Type 93, and MiG-21 Bis have been upgraded to MiG-21 Bison with altogether new avionics and on-board electronic systems apart from night-vision devices and mid-air refuelling capabilities, making it more competitive than American F-16 Fighting Falcons, sources in Western Air Command added.

Introduction of new training schedule for pilots to improve man-machine relationship has helped bring down human errors.

"The main reasons for aircraft accidents are human error and technical defect. A continuous and multi-faceted effort is always underway in the IAF to enhance and upgrade flight safety. Measures to enhance the quality of training to improve the skill levels, ability to exercise sound judgement and situational awareness of pilots are being pursued," sources said.

Also constant interaction with Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs), both indigenous and foreign, is also maintained to overcome the technical defects of the aircraft.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/MiG_-21_safest_flying_machines/articleshow/2283667.cms

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

I believe Delta wing aircraft like MIG 21 and F 104 are very sensitive and difficult to fly.

Maybe the Air Marshall could comment.

 

[solid snake]

I was not aware the IAF was planning to keep the Bison that long. How does it compare with the JF-17? It would be interesting to evaluate the backbone of the PAF v IAF.

 

[HAIDER]

don't think any comparison, cuz Bison frame is very old compare to JF17. Better material and aircraft is new with lot better avionics and engine.

 

[EagleEyes]

Upgraded Mig-21 Bisons are basically the F-7PGs operational in Pakistan Air Force. They are very good aircrafts, and are capable of supporting the air force for that long. I think it is a good step by the Indian Air Force to keep them for that long. They have a pretty good radar and can fire BVR missiles which will be an edge to the most of the Chinese inventory which has not been upgraded to carry BVR missiles, but nonetheless WVR missiles would be used any ways.

 

[Neo]

I was not aware the IAF was planning to keep the Bison that long. How does it compare with the JF-17? It would be interesting to evaluate the backbone of the PAF v IAF.

Bisons will eventually be replaced by the LCA wich is expected to have IOC by 2010-11. 2017 timeframe seems agreeable to produce LCA in numbers to replace the wholw fleet.

 

[EagleEyes]

LCA seems to be a whole waste of money. If it is inducted in the IAF (it doesn't meet the requirements) they will have to fly it for 2020+ when PAF will have operational J-10, F-16, JF-17 and probably other fighters in intial stages.

However, IAF can be supported by the Su-30, Mig-29UPG, and initial MRCA aircrafts (which their pilots would still need to be trained on).

 

[Neo]

Even if there's further delay LCA will serve as force multiplier and will be a good replacement for the Bisons.

On the sidenote, its very much in our interest that LCA programme is continued despite becoming an embarassement to its developpers. I wouldn't want to see another 150 or so more capable fighters in IAF is the LCA is killed.

 

[HAIDER]

For LCA its already 15 years ..? If few more years then its obviously an obsolete programme. Its big surprise indian engineer didn't make best use of GE414 engine, which is powering latest F16.

 

[ejaz007]

Gentlemen attached is a report from india-defence.com web site. More than 2 Indian airforce planes have crashed this year by May 22, 2007 including Mig 21. Though I don't know if any Mig 21 Bison was involved or not. Any comments please.

Air Force MiG 21 Crash Update: Two Pilots Killed In Crash
Dated 22/5/2007
Two pilots died Tuesday after an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 fighter crashed in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said. The bodies of the pilots and wreckage of the crashed plane were found in high mountainous reaches of Kathua district, southeast of Jammu, in the evening.

'The aircraft, a Type-75 variant, had taken off from the Udhampur air base on a routine training flight at around 10.20 a.m. It lost contact with the air traffic control soon after that,' an IAF spokesman in New Delhi said.

After IAF authorities sounded the state police and the army for help, police sighted the wreckage of the plane Kapal Kund in Kathua. Police officials said IAF commandos, Garudas, were heli-dropped at the site and they recovered the bodies.

'An inquiry is being conducted to ascertain the reason of the crash,' a defence official said in Jammu. This was the sixth IAF aircraft to have crashed this year.

A Jaguar fighter had crashed at the Nal air base in Rajasthan Jan 18. An indigenously developed Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) had crashed Feb 2 while rehearsing for the Aero India international air show at Yelahanka near Bangalore. A MiG-21 fighter met a similar fate near Kurseong in West Bengal March 1.

On April 11, two pilots were killed when a Cheetah helicopter crashed over the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. On May 8, an MiG-29 fighter crashed soon after taking off from Adampur in Punjab but the pilot managed to bail out safely.

Soon after assuming office last month, the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali Major, had said the force had recorded its lowest rate of 0.36 percent accidents per 10,000 flying hours in its 75-year history.

http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3238

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Mig 21 is nowhere near JF 17

 

[su-47]

LCA seems to be a whole waste of money. If it is inducted in the IAF (it doesn't meet the requirements) they will have to fly it for 2020+ when PAF will have operational J-10, F-16, JF-17 and probably other fighters in intial stages.

However, IAF can be supported by the Su-30, Mig-29UPG, and initial MRCA aircrafts (which their pilots would still need to be trained on).

LCA isnt a waste of money. It might not be the most capable fighter, but it is cost effective and more importantly, provides a basis for the MCA. The LCA has helped Indian indegenous aircraft development a lot and its a stepping stone to self-reliance.

LCA's advantages are low RCS and ease of production and maintenance. Its disadvantages are low range, small radar (this problem can be overcome with AWACS support) and relatively low payload.

 

[Bull]

Even if there's further delay LCA will serve as force multiplier and will be a good replacement for the Bisons.

On the sidenote, its very much in our interest that LCA programme is continued despite becoming an embarassement to its developpers. I wouldn't want to see another 150 or so more capable fighters in IAF is the LCA is killed.

Lessons learned till now would be dman valuable, a losers excuse i know. But still we cant deny that our scientists have learned a lot in this more than a decade of development. And also there are lots of things that were developed for LCA that found way to other fighters in IAF fleet.

All this if LCA is crapped, for which there is no need to. JF-17 is still not inducted, J-10 nothing concrete as of now.

 

[Bull]

LCA seems to be a whole waste of money. If it is inducted in the IAF (it doesn't meet the requirements) they will have to fly it for 2020+ when PAF will have operational J-10, F-16, JF-17 and probably other fighters in intial stages.

However, IAF can be supported by the Su-30, Mig-29UPG, and initial MRCA aircrafts (which their pilots would still need to be trained on).

Well PAF pilots also needs to be trained on JF-17 and J-10 and that cna only happen after it enters PAF/PLAAF fleet. Where as IAF pilots can go abroad ( Russia/France/US) to train in MRCA before the induction so that they are ready when the planes land in India.

 

[Titanium]

LCA isnt a waste of money. It might not be the most capable fighter, but it is cost effective ?and more importantly, provides a basis for the MCA. The LCA has helped Indian indegenous aircraft development a lot and its a stepping stone to self-reliance.

This is the second one to accept LCA is history after joey.... You see the pattren, the realization is dawning that LCA is history and the thing learned may be used somewhere else

LCA is not emotional for me it was must for India, the LCA project has led to the MKI project the Jaguar upgrade, mig 23/27 upgrades the CAT programme and all these are major programms.