Modi Government Clears Defence Purchases Worth Rs. 20,000 Crore

[Abingdonboy]

Hi @Abingdonboy - yea, good to be back. I have been here monitoring but had nothing to say until this news came out. Still close to my friends at Sikorsky with whom I worked on India so this program is very close to my heart. You know my passion for the 70B and this could be the most important win for this aircraft in its history, especially with the follow on buys that will occur. If the 70B wins I might even come out of retirement to help India acquire this aircraft as domain expert. They were a very professional and gracious customer when they visited Sikorsky some years back and I would love to work with them again. I have some great ideas for some weapons systems they should add that ideally would suit their mission.

Thank you for the information sir! Always a pleasure to get you insight and so rare to have such an educated and informed member on here. Looking foreword to when the IN actually gets the S-70B, I'm sure you'd be more than able to answer any "noob" questions on the helo we might have.

One quick question, do you have any idea if the IN was interested in two different version of the S-70B? As currently they have two types of Sea King (the the the S-70B will be replacing) in service- the Mk.42B (marked with a "W") for ASW and ASuW operations and Mk.42C (marked with a "X") for utility/special forces transport. Now I know the MH-60 has two such versions- the "R" (Romeo) and "S" (Sierra), the former being for ASW/ASuW and the later for utility transport and such. I'm assuming the S-70B can also be offered in the "full" system with a full mission suite and a "lite/transport" version for the utility/transport purposes.

 

[Rikbo]

Thank you for the information sir! Always a pleasure to get you insight and so rare to have such an educated and informed member on here. Looking foreword to when the IN actually gets the S-70B, I'm sure you'd be more than able to answer any "noob" questions on the helo we might have.

One quick question, do you have any idea if the IN was interested in two different version of the S-70B? As currently they have two types of Sea King (the the the S-70B will be replacing) in service- the Mk.42B (marked with a "W") for ASW and ASuW operations and Mk.42C (marked with a "X") for utility/special forces transport. Now I know the MH-60 has two such versions- the "R" (Romeo) and "S" (Sierra), the former being for ASW/ASuW and the later for utility transport and such. I'm assuming the S-70B can also be offered in the "full" system with a full mission suite and a "lite/transport" version for the utility/transport purposes.

You are dead on @Abingdonboy. S-70B can come in two versions or pretty much be customized to the customer's needs. Sikorsky has already looked at versions without the sonar that can provide a utility type aircraft that could serve a variety of missions other than ASW or ASuW. That is the beauty of the S-70B, it was designed with customer customization in mind. Unlike NH Industries which has already admitted to NH-90 delays due to unique customer requirements. Only thing missing from the India configuration (in my opinion) is a missile system for a light armored or anti-personnel attack. This would serve them well in a coastal or harbor patrol mission and provide great anti-terrorism capability. A system like the new laser guided Hydra-70 FFR missile systems that are now being fielded with the USN would be an awesome addition and can be done using the new Weapons Management System (WMS) that is already installed in the S-70B. This is a "one shot - one kill" system that can provide great accuracy with low collateral damage. Great in densely populated or other urban areas. I know India has a great concern about the security of their coastal areas. The Sierra has added one variant of this missile system to provide such a capability and it is now being fielded.

 

[Abingdonboy]

You are dead on @Abingdonboy. S-70B can come in two versions or pretty much be customized to the customer's needs. Sikorsky has already looked at versions without the sonar that can provide a utility type aircraft that could serve a variety of missions other than ASW or ASuW. That is the beauty of the S-70B, it was designed with customer customization in mind. Unlike NH Industries which has already admitted to NH-90 delays due to unique customer requirements. Only thing missing from the India configuration (in my opinion) is a missile system for a light armored or anti-personnel attack. This would serve them well in a coastal or harbor patrol mission and provide great anti-terrorism capability. A system like the new laser guided Hydra-70 FFR missile systems that are now being fielded with the USN would be an awesome addition and can be done using the new Weapons Management System (WMS) that is already installed in the S-70B. This is a "one shot - one kill" system that can provide great accuracy with low collateral damage. Great in densely populated or other urban areas. I know India has a great concern about the security of their coastal areas. The Sierra has added one variant of this missile system to provide such a capability and it is now being fielded.

Thank you for the information sir.

As for if a weapon like the Hydra-70 is required in the Indian context you'd have to ask the IN. No doubt the S-70B has capabilities beyond what the original RFP called for and what the IN has thought necessary, I'm sure once the system is in IN hands doctrines will be devised based on the type and all it offers.