X-posting JuggiG's article since it is also relevant to our intel setup:
Falling under the Director General (Security), under Aviation Research Center (ARC), the aircraft have civilian pilots as well as those from the Indian Air Force (IAF), who come on deputation, with the special aircraft being headed by an IAF Air Vice Marshal, called the Operations Manager, who reports to the DG (Security), who in turn is under the Cabinet Secretariat, with the entire apparatus coming under the National Security Advisor (NSA). Carrying out approximately two missions a month, these aircraft are for India's immediate neighbourhood for collection of data, pictures and other information. Missions like 'strip mode' and 'spot mode' are also part of these far-reaching aircraft.
Right now in service are five aircraft, an assortment of G-3 from Gulfstream, and Boeing 707s.
Raytheon was pitted against the Israeli IAI (Israeli Aircraft Industries) Elta and Elbit, of which Elta is said to have come out as the L1 vendor, successfully meeting all requirements.These systems will be integrated onboard the Canadian business jets Bombardier. The competing aircraft manufacturers were Falcon, Bombardier and Gulfstream, who were required to team up with the system providers. All three aircraft manufacturers and system providers were asked to tie up to make one team in order to meet India's requirements of the special missions to be carried out, as per the bid.
New Delhi has also asked the systems providers to configure the EO payload for an increased surveillance range, as one of its requirements. These sensors would cover a larger area in the neighbourhood. A source told DNA, "With a disturbed neighbourhood, it is important to have aviation assets seperate from the IAF, by the Cabinet which from time to time carry out missions of data collection. Sometimes they do get intercepted and the matter is taken up by the Governments of the two countries."
The Canadian Bombadier Aerospace is the third largest aircraft company in the world and makes business as well as commercial jets, of which the most popular models are Dash 8, CRJ100/200/440, and CRJ700/900/1000 lines of regional carriers. The Bombardier 415 amphibious water-bomber and the Challenger business jet are also manufactured by Bombadier, while the Learjet continues to operate as a subsidiary of Bombardier and manufactures jets under the Learjet name.
These aircraft do not come under the charter of the DGCA, nor are they under the operational control of the IAF.
These special aircraft are configured with a flight management system comprising a worldwide satellite-based Global Positioning System. They can cruise at a particular altitude, and consist of a of an advanced weather radar, autopilot and head-up display for the pilot. Safety features include enhanced night vision/vision systems which increase visibility in all kinds of environments. State of the art communication systems, data link, ensure a safe voice and data quality. The crew mainly comprises two pilots, one flight engineer, one communications systems operator, and one flight attendant.
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