sudhir007
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Chindits: RFP For Mi-17 Avionics Upgrade This Month !!
The request for proposal (RFP) or tender, for the avionics upgrade of the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Russian medium-lift Mi-17 helicopters, is expected anytime this month.The 100 million dollar upgrade would primarily be a cockpit upgrade in the almost two-decade old choppers, where state of the art LCD screen, touch screen and other features would be installed in the cockpit, so as to reduce attention of the pilot from the cockpit.
Other features that the Mi-17 integrated helicopter avionics system would have are instrument approach, night and day navigation in all kinds of weather conditions, increased flight safety features, better communication equipment, low-level flight safety due to terrain awareness and warning system and night vision.
The twin-engined utility helicopters are primarily used for troop insertion/extraction, casualty evacuation, logistic supply, search and rescue, reconnaissance and observation. They are operating in high altitude areas like Siachen Glacier and have also been part of UN missions abroad, where as part of the Indian contingent they have been in the Aero Medical Evacuation Team also.
American Honeywell, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the Russian State Export Agency are the likely contenders expecting to recieve the open RFP.Around 100 Mi-17 helicopters will be fitted with the new generation avionics. Since the engines would not be changed or upgraded, therefore life of the helicopter is not expected to increase, said a source.
The new Mi-17 1V, which are around 40, are also expected to be fitted with the new avionics.The Mi-17 1V are the latest advanced Mi-17 helicopters.
The new 80 Mi-17 helicopters, for which the IAF order is with the Russian Kazan, also lack the new advanced cockpit features, as the Russian company doing the avionics, Transas, has reportedly failed to deliver those avionics, and Kazan has approached Honeywell for the avionics for these helicopters to be delivered to India.
The request for proposal (RFP) or tender, for the avionics upgrade of the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Russian medium-lift Mi-17 helicopters, is expected anytime this month.The 100 million dollar upgrade would primarily be a cockpit upgrade in the almost two-decade old choppers, where state of the art LCD screen, touch screen and other features would be installed in the cockpit, so as to reduce attention of the pilot from the cockpit.
Other features that the Mi-17 integrated helicopter avionics system would have are instrument approach, night and day navigation in all kinds of weather conditions, increased flight safety features, better communication equipment, low-level flight safety due to terrain awareness and warning system and night vision.
The twin-engined utility helicopters are primarily used for troop insertion/extraction, casualty evacuation, logistic supply, search and rescue, reconnaissance and observation. They are operating in high altitude areas like Siachen Glacier and have also been part of UN missions abroad, where as part of the Indian contingent they have been in the Aero Medical Evacuation Team also.
American Honeywell, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the Russian State Export Agency are the likely contenders expecting to recieve the open RFP.Around 100 Mi-17 helicopters will be fitted with the new generation avionics. Since the engines would not be changed or upgraded, therefore life of the helicopter is not expected to increase, said a source.
The new Mi-17 1V, which are around 40, are also expected to be fitted with the new avionics.The Mi-17 1V are the latest advanced Mi-17 helicopters.
The new 80 Mi-17 helicopters, for which the IAF order is with the Russian Kazan, also lack the new advanced cockpit features, as the Russian company doing the avionics, Transas, has reportedly failed to deliver those avionics, and Kazan has approached Honeywell for the avionics for these helicopters to be delivered to India.
