Indian Military Aviation

Gurinder P · Post by **Gurinder P** » 14 Mar 2011 20:38

Lalmohan wrote:
pandyan wrote:Looks like there is a relatively simple technique to alert chopper pilots about the presence of high-voltage transmission lines. When driving near a airport, saw plenty of brightly coloured balls clipped to the power line. There were quite a few light planes and small choppers flying around....
yes, commonly done near airports
different ball game when strike missions are flying nap of the earth at high speed over undulating terrain

I thought all major HV Lines had balloons on them. Here in Canada they serve a dual purpose as warnings for low flying aircraft and to keep the wires separated/ prevent knocking into each other in high winds, Plus any major long crossings the towers have light beacons atop of them.

Gurneesh · Post by **Gurneesh** » 14 Mar 2011 20:56

pandyan wrote:Looks like there is a relatively simple technique to alert chopper pilots about the presence of high-voltage transmission lines. When driving near a airport, saw plenty of brightly coloured balls clipped to the power line. There were quite a few light planes and small choppers flying around....

Huh...saw a number of such 'ball clad' lines and always wondered what their purpose was. Of course it makes sense now as IIRC all these sightings were near where an IAF base is. Plus, I have only seen these on very high towers and not on the regular ones.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 14 Mar 2011 22:01

also for the benefit of migrating birds, who are more prone to hitting wires than aircraft

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 14 Mar 2011 22:20

air warriors deserve to get genuine 4G spectrum much ahead than aam users.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Mar 2011 11:14

Lakshya-2 performs low-altitude tests

India has conducted low-altitude trials with its developmental Lakshya-2 target drone, with the aircraft performing high-g manoeuvres at altitudes as low as 82ft (25m).

On a test conducted on 20 December 2010, the drone flew 5.4nm (10km) at an altitude of 82ft, with an average altitude deviation of less than 3ft, says India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.

On 23 December it flew the system for 10.8nm at an altitude of 490ft towing a target that was flown at a height of 164ft.

The tests had four objectives. The first was to assess the Lakshya-2's flight-control system and ability to use autonomous waypoint navigation with GPS updates. They also looked at its ability to fly programmed low-altitude flights in both clean and tow body configurations, and to perform high-g manoeuvres in both regimes.

The process also assessed the deployment of the Lakyshya-2 on its mobile launcher, and introduced new features in its ground control station.

The DRDO says it is working with India's armed forces for a limited series production order, and also speaking with industry partners about the programme.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » 18 Mar 2011 12:08

^^There is way, way more to this 'target drone' business than meets the eye. High-G maneuvering at low altitudes. Autonomous way point navigation with GPS updates.

They also looked at its ability to fly programmed low-altitude flights in both clean and tow body configurations, and to perform high-g manoeuvres in both regimes.
The process also assessed the deployment of the Lakyshya-2 on its mobile launcher, and introduced new features in its ground control station.

Lakshya is simply the development platform and TD for UAS & UCAV flight control technologies, including AURA. This thing sounds more like an airspace penetration aid/decoy right now, with deployable payloads for various duties...

Easily as important as the ABM program, IMHO, for offensive air operations over highly-protected airspace. Like oh I don't know, Tibet?

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 18 Mar 2011 12:09

Clearly shows the tech demonstration for Nirbhay

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 18 Mar 2011 12:13

Requirement for lakshya from globalsecurity.org (dont know how reliable)
lakshya on global security

As per the projected requirement, during 1986-96, the Services should have required 935 (11x85) PTA for providing ideal air-to-air and surface-to-air weaponry target practices.

Btw, in live target practice are these PTAs hit by real bullets ? if so are these armored to not suffer from any damage?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Mar 2011 12:24

In live practise they would hit the tow body and lakshya carries two of those ,one each under its wing. PTA is only hit once it ends its usable service life.

The tow body is destroyed in live test or it records near misses in case of missile firing and if its not destroyed it could be reused.

Drishyaman · Post by **Drishyaman** » 20 Mar 2011 12:06

This page has been recently updated on wiki.Can someone confirm if the project is still alive?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_HJT_39_/_CAT

The HAL HJT 39 or Combat Air Trainer (CAT) is an Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) project proposal by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. HAL HJT 39 CAT Programme was Announced at Aero India, February 2005, with Mockup of front fuselage and cockpit shown. It is Projected to fly within three and a half years of go-ahead with airframe and engine commonality with HAL HJT-36 Sitara, avionics comparable with those of HJT-36 and HAL Tejas. The project is currently at the advanced design stage.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 20 Mar 2011 14:11

Drishyaman wrote:This page has been recently updated on wiki.Can someone confirm if the project is still alive?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_HJT_39_/_CAT

The HAL HJT 39 or Combat Air Trainer (CAT) is an Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) project proposal by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. HAL HJT 39 CAT Programme was Announced at Aero India, February 2005, with Mockup of front fuselage and cockpit shown. It is Projected to fly within three and a half years of go-ahead with airframe and engine commonality with HAL HJT-36 Sitara, avionics comparable with those of HJT-36 and HAL Tejas. The project is currently at the advanced design stage.

Revisiting Indian Combat Air Trainer project

Nope

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 20 Mar 2011 23:49

That Lakshya-2 also sounds like a loitering and reusable cruise missile.

IIRC the word 'reusable' has been used quite often recently by the missile men of India.
But most certainly, this is something that can have multiple uses, and as Jaeger points out, everything from penetration aid, intel gathering, building blocks for a UCAV, etc - the list is endless.

One platform with multiple possible uses, easily configurable as per needs.

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 21 Mar 2011 21:14

Indian Air Force Orders 65 HAL Light Combat Helicopters for USD 1.4 billion

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 25 Mar 2011 07:11

A Command Post in the Air

Opinion - Op-Ed
Murali N. Krishnaswamy

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 26 Mar 2011 19:06

IAF Seeks New Long-Range Missile For Fighters
Aviation Week

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 26 Mar 2011 19:08

Rostvertol Readies Upgraded Mi-26
Aviation Week

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 27 Mar 2011 02:55

Biggest aircraft deal with US flies into air pocket after India questions price

The last-minute hiccup has come after the ministry received several representations contending that the price being quoted to India for 10 heavy lift aircraft was inordinately high.

venku_Raj · Post by **venku_Raj** » 30 Mar 2011 10:45

Code: Select all

Flight Safety Analysis: 2007-2011

http://indyatimes.in/?p=75#more-75

jai · Post by **jai** » 31 Mar 2011 12:44

Juggi G wrote:IAF Seeks New Long-Range Missile For Fighters
Aviation Week

and the missile suspension should be electrically and mechanically compatible with the existing pylons of our fleet.”

How practical is this demand, hope this does not restrict companies in offering the latest they may have...

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Mar 2011 13:47

we have tried out agm142 popeye as "crystal maze" and KH59 (which needs a pylon for its datalink pod on mothership!) .

looks like we are finally going mass market and looking for something suitable from Tejas upward...

apache/scalp/KEPD150/KEPD350/JASSM/Popeye Turbo could be in running.

scalp/apache - proven on rafale
storm shadow - proven on tornado
KEPD - I think german tornadoes and gripen have fired it
JASSM - usual suspects
popeye turbo - Sufa and Raam

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 31 Mar 2011 21:17

jai wrote:
Juggi G wrote:IAF Seeks New Long-Range Missile For Fighters
Aviation Week

and the missile suspension should be electrically and mechanically compatible with the existing pylons of our fleet.”
How practical is this demand, hope this does not restrict companies in offering the latest they may have...

Very practical. Just means that the vendor making the offer has to foot the bill for system integration. : )

negi · Post by **negi** » 31 Mar 2011 22:17

MTCR will limit our options. I seriously don't understand as to why is it taking so long for us to make a ALCM based on a modified HAL PTAE-7 turbojet ?

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 31 Mar 2011 22:29

to 299.9999 kms?

Manish_Sharma · Post by **Manish_Sharma** » 31 Mar 2011 23:01

Does this means Nirbhay is much more delayed ?

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 02 Apr 2011 08:45

Overpricing Delays Purchase of 10 Boeing C-17s by Indian Air Force

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 02 Apr 2011 08:46

India Approves Purchase of Four Additional Boeing P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Pratik_S · Post by **Pratik_S** » 02 Apr 2011 15:19

250 air warriors inducted into IAF

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 03 Apr 2011 07:02

Initial Operational Clearance for Sitara by Year-End
The Indian Express

nits · Post by **nits** » 04 Apr 2011 21:18

Mig-29 – New Striker for Indian Air force

Recent successful first flight of the upgraded Mig-29UPG of Indian air force in Russian , marks the birth of a new striker platform for the Indian air force , India had awarded Mig-29 upgrade contract to Russia worth $900 million in 2006 and first flight of the upgraded Mig-29UPG makes it now more formidable strike platform ,which was missing in it earlier .

Mig-29 as per the contract will get new increased range and payload, new glass cockpit, digital fly-by-wire control system, new avionics, improved radar, KOLS infrared search and track (IRST) and an in-flight refueling probe. The radar will be the Phazotron Zhuk-ME which is capable of tracking ten targets to a maximum range of 245km.

IAF has 69 operational MiG-29 ,while Russia will be upgrading 6 of this jets in Russia , while the Rest 63 jets will be upgraded locally in HAL facility from the upgrade kits provided by the Russia , HAL will also will be locally producing 120 RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines for the upgraded jets.

Mig-29 will also get Thales TopSight-E helmet-mounted sight and display (HMDS) which is also fitted to aircraft for the carrier borne Mig-29k for the Indian Navy.The armament upgrade will include the installation of modern weaponry like smart bombs and substantially improved air-to-air missiles and high-accuracy guided missiles to destroy ground and sea targets.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 05 Apr 2011 12:27

Back to Reality Up there Goes Gravity

India Upset At Russian Military Parts Supply

Aviation Week

India Upset At Russian Military Parts Supply
Apr 4, 2011
By Asia-Pacific Staff
New Delhi

When it comes to Russian Aerospace Products, Conventional Wisdom is: The Equipment is Good, The After-Market is Awful.

Ask the Indian Air Force (IAF) and its Officials would Emphatically Agree.

Sourcing of Spares and Consumables for its Russian-built aircraft and weapon systems has sunk to a new low for the IAF, with the government permitting it to issue multiple global tenders for spares across a range of systems. The move marks a striking break from the Indian defense ministry’s traditional practice of contracting spares from original equipment manufacturers via Rosoboronexport.

Now the IAF is Turning to Vendors in Europe, Israel and the U.S. to Respond to an Urgent Spares Call for Russian-built Equipment it has in Inventory.

There are more than 25 Tenders on the Street, with more Floated each day.

• The Service Needs Everything from Terminals and Transformers for its MiG-29 Fighters to Main Wheels for its Su-30 Fleet.

• It also needs Multiple Spares for its Il-76/-78 Transport Fleet, Mi-26 and Mi-17 Helicopters and

• Virtually all Russian-Built iGround Radars, including its P-19 Danubes.

• The MiG-29 Situation may be the Most Difficult. The Aircraft is Undergoing an Extensive Upgrade, which Means it needs close to 150 Different Spare Parts, including Shield Installations, Main and Nose Wheels, Video Amplifiers and Photo Diodes, as well as Minor Items such as Transformers, Capacitors and Resistors.

• The Issue goes beyond Cost and Poor Relations with its Supplier. For the IAF there is a very real day-in, day-out Operational Cost. For Example, Il-78 Refueling Tankers are suffering from a Lack of Major Parts, Hobbling Mission Rates.

The Supply Problems are Not New. What Appears to have Changed is that the IAF has Finally had Enough.

Perhaps with More Access to Western Equipment, it no Longer Believes it has to put up with Years of Neglected Customer Service from Russia. Instead, Service Leaders say they want an Unhindered Flow of Spares for their Aircraft and Weapons.

Indian sources Indicate that Rosoboronexport—the Sales Agency for most Russian Hardware—had put up Multiple Roadblocks to an Assured Spares Supply.
These Variously include Demands for Price Revisions on Existing Warranties and Contracts,
Demands for Advances on Warehousing Spares and Consumables,
Even Demands for Fresh Contracts.

An official at the Russian Trade Federation in New Delhi, acknowledges that “there are some problems that need attention.” But, he adds, “global tenders for type-specific spares may be counter-productive. Also, price and economy of scale will be a major problem. The two sides need to work out these differences and get on with it.”

Russia in the Past has Punished Customers who have Tried to Circumvent its Supply Chain by Effectively Restricting all Support for the System in Question.

A Senior IAF Officer familiar with the Acquisition Process says It is an Historic Fact that After-Sales Relations with the Russians have always been Shaky. That could be understood, if not Forgiven, under the Soviet Union, but we have wasted too much time putting up with the situation now.”

Concerning the current effort to find an alternative source of supply, the officer says “The [IAF] cannot afford to waste precious time and funds contracting for critical spares, when it is the original equipment maker’s responsibility to ensure supply on any given day.

When you have Spares Supply Problems with an Ongoing Flagship Program like the Su-30MKI, Then You Know Something is Very, Very Wrong.”

jai · Post by **jai** » 05 Apr 2011 13:03

nits wrote:Mig-29 – New Striker for Indian Air force

[/quote]

Welcome news and a much needed shot in the arm for the air force. The focus on creating more "Multi-role" platforms seems to be a smart one, and would IMO also influence IAF choice in the MMRCA competition. Not surprised that media is reporting Rafale as a favourite. Wish they could quickly sort out the Mirage upgrade issues as well.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 05 Apr 2011 14:55

Juggi G wrote:India Upset At Russian Military Parts Supply

Too bad , the situation seems to be pathetic if the news is true

BTW can you just post the article normally without all Bold and Colours added it makes the reading more difficult with all coloured and bolded words.

I wonder how Global Tenders can help if spares come from specific OEM's , How can they get such spares and warranty for the spares without OEM consent ?

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 05 Apr 2011 15:45

Austin wrote:
Juggi G wrote:India Upset At Russian Military Parts Supply

BTW can you just post the article normally without all Bold and Colours added it makes the reading more difficult with all coloured and bolded words.

I second that. Bolding and highlighting are not only irritating - but I also find that details that are interesting to me personally are missing from the bolded parts stuff I don't care for are bolded, and I have to search harder to see if I have missed anything.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Apr 2011 19:07

This is one reason where we could have clause in all agreements., when beyond certain limits, the mftrs and suppliers loses their rights on parts, and we shall automatically take the rights to modify, repair and source from anywhere on the planet.

bold, italics and upper cased.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 06 Apr 2011 04:15

Austin wrote:BTW can you just post the article normally without all Bold and Colours added it makes the reading more difficult with all coloured and bolded words.

shiv wrote:I second that. Bolding and highlighting are not only Irritating

A Thousand Apologies to All Rakshaks for Subjecting them to All the Coloring & Excessive Bolding of News Reports by Me for more than 4 years.
Its all a Futile Exercise if Reading is Made Difficult, Irritating & Impossible.

Vowing from now on to atleast, Cease & Desist from using Colours & Overboard Excessive Bolding.

But C'mon Some Bolding is kosher

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 06 Apr 2011 06:17

Juggi G wrote: A Thousand Apologies to All Rakshaks for Subjecting them to All the Coloring & Excessive Bolding of News Reports by Me for more than 4 years.
Its all a Futile Exercise if Reading is Made Difficult, Irritating & Impossible.

Vowing from now on to atleast, Cease & Desist from using Colours & Overboard Excessive Bolding.

But C'mon Some Bolding is kosher

Thanks. Can't accuse people of being oversensitive can you?

This one was particularly bad - but there are many others who do it so you are not the only guilty party. Generally I ignore the post and go for the original link - but like I said even the original link was difficult to see for the colors and bolding.

akimalik · Post by **akimalik** » 06 Apr 2011 09:49

Juggi G wrote: A Thousand Apologies ...

Looks like someone has been watching "Mind your language"

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 10 Apr 2011 23:36

Tatas bag record deal to modernise Air force bases.

The Rs 1,094-crore contract with Tata Power SED involves upgrading 30 airbases to handle next generation fighter aircraft.

A Tata company has won the largest-ever defence contract awarded to an Indian private sector company through a competitive global tender. On March 16, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,094-crore contract with Tata Power’s Strategic Electronics Division (Tata Power SED) for modernising 30 Indian Air Force (IAF) airbases across the country. Tata Power SED has 42 months to execute this strategically vital contract, officially called Modernization of Airfield Infrastructure, or MAFI.

Starting with the Bathinda airbase in Punjab, Tata Power SED will refurbish and modernise airfield infrastructure so that the IAF can operate its next generation of modern combat aircraft from there. State-of-the-art Air Traffic Management systems will be installed, along with Category-2 airfield lighting systems and hi-tech navigational aids that will permit flying operations at night and in adverse weather.

The 30 IAF airbases that will be modernised under MAFI include eight key airfields along the Sino-Indian border such as Chabua, Tezpur and Hashimara. The IAF has already begun deploying frontline Sukhoi-30MKI fighters to the Tezpur air base in concert with the army’s raising of two new divisions to strengthen defences along the Sino-Indian border.

This will be followed by the MAFI Phase II contract for refurbishing another 28 airbases. The current contract has an option clause, which allows the ministry to invite Tata Power SED to execute the Phase II of MAFI at a pre-determined rate.

The ministry has not yet announced the award of this contract. Approached for comments, Tata Power SED declined comment until an official announcement was made.

India’s private sector defence companies view this as a major milestone in their protracted struggle to enter the defence sector on equal terms with defence public sector undertakings and foreign companies. On January 13, the ministry released the first-ever Defence Production Policy that explicitly encourages the private sector to enter defence production.

The MAFI contract has been bitterly contested, with Italian giant Selex Sistemi Integrati petitioning the Delhi High Court after its price bid of Rs 1,141 crore narrowly lost by Rs 47 crore to Tata Power SED’s winning quote (figures from Selex Sistemi Integrati’s petition to the Delhi High Court). Despite legal delays — in which the Delhi High Court and then the Supreme Court rejected Selex’s contention that the Tata consortium did not have the technical capability and experience to upgrade the 30 IAF airfields — the ministry managed to finalise the MAFI contract in just over three years.

The Defence Procurement Policy stipulates two-three years to finalise a contract.

Tenders for the MAFI contract were issued on January 4, 2008, and vendors submitted bids within six months. After a technical evaluation of the vendors’ proposals, the ministry opened their commercial bids on August 2009. Selex went to the court in November 2009 but, on November 24, 2010, the Supreme Court rejected its petition, declaring, “This court is not a Robin Hood… do you want us to stop the modernisation of the airfields?”

Selex Sistemi Integrati has executed several major contracts to modernise airfields in Pakistan and China over recent years. This fact, along with the legal challenge that it threw at the ministry, has seriously damaged its prospects of winning future defence contracts, say senior ministry officials involved in procurement.

Notwithstanding the courts’ relatively speedy rejection of Selex’s plea that the MAFI contract had been improperly awarded, the Italian company’s petition spun off a broader legal question —- whether foreign companies are entitled to the protection of Article 19 of the Constitution of India. This article, which Selex cited in its petition, provides citizens of India (note, not foreign nationals) freedoms such as those of movement, speech, assembly, formation of unions, etc.

The two-judge Delhi High Court Bench that considered Selex’s petition referred the question to a higher Bench, noting, “Almost all large tenders today are being challenged in writ proceedings before the Court and are coming up for judicial scrutiny. It is thus necessary to settle the legal issue in question.”

The Supreme Court is expected to pronounce a verdict on this question on May 19.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 11 Apr 2011 09:56

Indian Air Force fighters to be equipped with OBOGS

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 11 Apr 2011 10:01

SELF DELETED