Bharat Rakshak

That is some kick a$$ nose gear!

One question (might be a beginner one):

Is the refueling pod not retractable on raffy?

One query : the approximate date of these pictures ? And where ?

I wish someone skilled in using HDR modes would also capture photographs of similar quality of our LCA Tejas.

Great photos, Vishal. ADA should let you loose around the Tejas, up close and personal.

As reported in the Hindustan Times, Reddy had written to Antony stating: “The alleged manipulation of the evaluation process in picking the (Rafale), which resulted in the decision to procure 126 MMRCA has raised serious apprehensions not only across the country but also worldwide. If a proper decision is not taken, the country’s credibility will be at stake.”

Two days later, Antony ordered an inquiry into all the points raised by Reddy.

Replying to a letter written on February 27, 2012 by TDP Rajya Sabha member MV Mysura Reddy alleging manipulation of the MMRCA evaluation process, defence minister AK Antony said: “The issues raised by you were examined by independent monitors who have concluded that the approach and methodology adopted by the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) in the evaluation of the commercial proposals thus far, have been reasonable and appropriate and within the terms of the Request for Proposals (RFR) and Defence Procurement Procedure, 2006.”

Talking to HT after receiving Antony’s final response on Monday evening in Hyderabad, Reddy said he was not satisfied with the reply. “I will wait for the report after the defence ministry has examined the finalised CNC recommendations as promised by the defence minister,” he said.

Captor-E and Raven employ different methods of antenna repositioning, however. The Captor radar’s antenna is mounted on two angled swashplates that rotate in combination or opposition to reposition the antenna. This arrangement avoids any rotation of the antenna, so the polarity of the embedded IFF (identification friend or foe) antennas is maintained.

Advanced IFF

By contrast, the Raven employs an angled antenna mounted on what is, in effect, a rotating drum. This offers significant advantages, but has also required the solving of some technological hurdles. One of them is the development of a sophisticated 360-degree joint, derived from the oil industry that allows the passage of radio frequency signal, power and coolant through it as the drum mounting rotates.

Because the antenna rotates, it cannot mount IFF aerials, as they would change polarity with the rotation. To overcome this issue Selex Galileo has devised the SIT426 active e-scan Mode 5/S IFF system, which it claims is the most advanced in the world. It is the first IFF to use conformal e-scan arrays, three of which are mounted around the fixed portion of the nose behind the rotating antenna.

This arrangement poses its own issues, such as the requirement to sensor-fuse data from the radar and IFF to ensure accurate alignment between the two. In the Captor-E the radar and IFF share the same antenna, so do not require data fusion. In the Gripen installation, however, the fact that the IFF is separate allows it to work in close conjunction with other sensors, such as infrared search-and-track and electronic support measures.
...

Great news.
But wait. From the same article:



I hope we soon hear that the deal is signed.

Also think about this from the corruption angle > babu dom!

this Reddy babu questioning the deal itself could be a setup by con-angrez inside jobers.

of course that is a wild guess.. but hey, i don't have to say about this.

just a cautious note.

Path clear for Rafale fighter deal: Antony
SOURCE: Hindustan Times

Great news.
But wait. From the same article:



I hope we soon hear that the deal is signed.

In fact, French Safran’s Snecma group, which manufactures the M 88-2 engine for the Rafale aircraft, has also nominated one of its best engineers to help HAL manufacture the engine at a plant proposed to be set up in Bangalore. According to HAL sources, he has already visited the HAL headquarters to discuss the transfer of technology and manufacturing schedule as mandated by the RfP conditions.

Official sources say that the transfer of technology (ToT) has to be time bound both for the Indian and French partners, something on which the IAF’s commanders are particularly keen.

Samtel has already been selected for supplying display panels for IAF’s SU 30 MKI aircraft, and possibly on the Rafales also.

The report says the figures were based on data sourced from the respective operating militaries and governments, disclosed international fighter competition cost figures (Rafale, F-18 E / F, Gripen), manufacturer-stated figures (F-35, Rafale, F-18 E / F, Gripen) and IHS Jane’s estimates for all aircraft.

Vishal: you and Shiv Aroor (or Erroor - lovingly called here in BR). could you please share a story line on that pic you have your big thumb & nailed here?

http://livefist.blogspot.in/2012/07/indian-mod-clears-path-for-rafale.html

Anonymous said...
The concerned MP says that he is still not satisfied by the reply.How can one MP hold to ransom the defense and security of India? There should be a probe as to which lobby the MP is acting.It is improbable as to how the MP will have expertise on such a complex and technical matter conducted in secrecy by the Ministry and IAF without the support of vested interests.


Anonymous said...
Mysoora Reddy was kicked out of Congress and he then joined TDP. Now he's been kicked out of TDP after he sensed the wind was changing direction in AP politics and joined YSRC. What a rat !
The MoD should stop wasting time and energy by not paying attention to squeaking rats like him - period.
Get on with the contract negotiations so that the country can have the equipment it needs to protect our country !

Negotiations to build Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force won’t be complete for at least nine months, following news that the state-owned company tapped to build the jets in India has missed a deadline for filing its license production evaluation report. Sources in the Indian Defence Ministry said Defence Minister A.K. Antony had directed the bureaucrats to finalize the contract to build Rafales within the next three months, but it cannot be done because state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has yet to submit the license production plan, delaying negotiations by another six months.

India on Jan. 31 declared the Dassault Rafale the preferred bidder over the Eurofighter Typhoon, setting the French company up for a deal involving 126 aircraft and prompting soul-searching among the Eurofighter nations. The Ministry of Defence last week also asked HAL to focus on building airframes, engines, and system and weapons integration of Rafale aircraft rather than on meeting its portion of the $5.5 billion offset requirements as part of the deal. Under the new directive, HAL has been asked to submit the detailed license production plan within the next four weeks, the sources said. HAL officials privately acknowledge they are late in submitting the plan for completing financial and manufacturing tasks.

New Delhi, July 22
Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani’s dream to manufacture aircraft has started taking shape.

Ambani’s new aerospace company, a complete diversification from current business of energy and materials, has finally taken off. His vision is to make India a global hub of aerospace manufacturing.

Ambani’s Rs76-billion Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has formally incorporated a new firm to enter
aerospace and defence ventures. The new company, Reliance Aerospace Technologies (P) Limited, has been registered with appropriate authorities, including the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

As per the memorandum of articles, the objective is “to design, develop, manufacture, equipment and components, including airframe, engines, radars, avionics and accessories for military and civilian aircraft, helicopters, unmanned airborne vehicles and aerostats.”

The company will also undertake research and produce new aerospace technologies, materials, components and equipment and test and carry out their certification.” The company will also partner with global majors to bring in sophisticated civil and military aerospace technologies into the country. Research and development is part of its charter. Sources said huge funds were being earmarked for R&D purposes. Dr Vivek Lall (43), possibly the country’s most respected aerospace expert today, is heading Mukesh Ambani’s new ventures. Lall was honoured by Cambridge as one of the 2,000 outstanding scientists. Lall earlier worked with the NASA and defence majors Raytheon and Boeing.

Although the newly created company has not identified the hub for its activities, it already has a major job in hand — waiting for a final go-ahead. It relates to manufacturing specific parts of the French Rafale fighter jet that was selected by the Defence Ministry six months ago.

On January 31, 2012, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale emerged winner in the “dogfight”, beating the European consortium’s Eurofighter Typhoon in over $11-billion Indian Air Force deal for the 4.5 generation 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). The Tribune in an exclusive report on January 11, 2011, had reported that Eurofighter and Rafale had been shortlisted for the final decision “but a political decision was awaited”.

As per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dassault Aviation, the RIL’s new aerospace company will assist in manufacturing major parts of Rafale in India. The MoU was signed a week after the government announced Rafale as the winner in the MMRCA fray.

According to Dassault Aviation, the firm has entered into an MoU with the RIL “for pursuing strategic opportunities of collaboration in the area of complex manufacturing and support in India”. Dassault manufactures Rafale combat jets and Falcon business jets, and the proposed venture may be making a foray into both sectors.

Sources said the two partners had informed the Defence Ministry. Any such venture has to be cleared by the government and several procedural and security clearances would be required in due course.

As the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is the lead integrator for the MMRCA project, the two companies will have to involve it also.

Industry experts feel the RIL may emerge as the biggest Indian player in various defence projects like combat aircraft, military systems and homeland security in near future. Mukesh Ambani’s new ventures of defence, aerospace solutions and homeland security may overtake his existing businesses in years to come.

India’s state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has moved to establish a joint venture (JV) with French firm Thales to develop and produce radars for the Indian defence market. The JV has been under consideration for several years, although renewed impetus is likely to have been provided by India’s selection earlier in 2012 of the Dassault Rafale for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme

Supporters of private industry in aerospace in India will be happy to see this news item

link to article