Indian Military Aviation

[Lalmohan]

Just to add, there is a politico societal diemnsion to all operations. Air power is the zenith of escalation, just below using nukes. To use it against ones own people is the territory of the likes of Saddam Hussain - civilised nations dont do that.

And people are constantly confusing between police operations and military ones.

no harm in using surveillance technologies though

[vivek_ahuja]

no harm in using surveillance technologies though

True.

It would be interesting, however, to know how smooth the transfer of this intelligence would be between civilian intelligence agencies assisting the police forces etc and the military intelligence units gathering this UAV based intelligence. Traditionally, this interaction has been anything but smooth. The Military types feel that civilian types cannot be trusted with the details of the ways and means by which the former gain this intelligence and vice versa.

Either a Joint Intelligence center is created to remove this problem or the police forces get their own short to medium range UAVs. The first choice is the cheaper one out, of course.

-Vivek

[shynee]

IAF plans missile base near Pakistan border

The defence ministry will establish a huge Air Force base close to the international border in Rajasthan, moving aggressively to secure the country’s western frontiers. The 300-km range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos will be stored at this base, defence ministry sources said.

The ministry is acquiring land in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts, where the Indian Air Force will store some of its most sophisticated long-range missiles. The base will be the IAF’s biggest practice station.

Defence Estate Officer KJS Chauhan confirmed the acquisition process of 29,562 acres at Hanumangarh, around 120-125 km from the border with Pakistan. The IAF has a station in Jodhpur, about 350 km from the border.

According to defence ministry sources, IAF has two projects proposed for the land: Project Richard and Project Thukrana.

Project Richard involves setting up a missile base. The BrahMos missiles will not only be stationed but also stocked there.

Under Project Thukrana, the defence ministry will set up an air force practice station, the biggest close to an international border in the country, ministry sources said.
Mugdha Sinha, who was collector of Hanumangarh till last week, said, “Hurdles for the acquisition have been almost sorted out with farmers.”

The defence ministry will spend more than Rs220 crore towards compensation and rehabilitation of the residents of Moter, Dhandhusur, Bannasur, Bangasur and Dheerdeshur villages.

[sunilUpa]

^^^ Huh...what was the need to advertize that?

IAF has Brahmos?

[vavinash]

They have Prithvi-II so why not Brahmos?

[sum]

^^^ Huh...what was the need to advertize that?

IAF has Brahmos?

I would assume that most of the things have already been done and hence, the advertising now somewhat like the K-15 being unveiled after it was ready.

Maybe, a message to Pak also about Brahmos being at their doorstep.

[VikramS]

^^^ Huh...what was the need to advertize that?

IAF has Brahmos?

I would assume that most of the things have already been done and hence, the advertising now somewhat like the K-15 being unveiled after it was ready.

Maybe, a message to Pak also about Brahmos being at their doorstep.

There was no need to say that this facility will be the central storage facility for the Brahmos missiles.
This is either an exercise in misdirection or a stupid DDM gone wild.

[vishal]

IAF plans missile base near Pakistan border

Defence Estate Officer KJS Chauhan confirmed the acquisition process of 29,562 acres at Hanumangarh, around 120-125 km from the border with Pakistan.

Thats a HUGE base, 2.5 times the size of the IN base at Karwar. A facility this big and right on the border makes sense only if the IAF has decided that the next BIG one with Pakistan will involve a first strike by India. Otherwise this base will be among the first targets to be hit. Also, the IAF would not put a strategic facility this close to the border unless it had the best possible defences to ensure it's survivability. This means defending the base from ballistic missiles (conventional or nuke), cruise missiles and low-level threats with an extremely low reaction time.

[Nihat]

They have Prithvi-II so why not Brahmos?

Perhaps because Phrithvi needs to be phased out now as it's based on dated technology and accuracy and detection of Brahmos are much more reliable.

[Kakarat]

IAF plans missile base near Pakistan border

Defence Estate Officer KJS Chauhan confirmed the acquisition process of 29,562 acres at Hanumangarh, around 120-125 km from the border with Pakistan.

Thats a HUGE base, 2.5 times the size of the IN base at Karwar. A facility this big and right on the border makes sense only if the IAF has decided that the next BIG one with Pakistan will involve a first strike by India. Otherwise this base will be among the first targets to be hit. Also, the IAF would not put a strategic facility this close to the border unless it had the best possible defences to ensure it's survivability. This means defending the base from ballistic missiles (conventional or nuke), cruise missiles and low-level threats with an extremely low reaction time.

I think it will be a firing range & not a aircraft base as the area has 3 airbases within 100km from each other

[narayana]

They have Prithvi-II so why not Brahmos?

Perhaps because Phrithvi needs to be phased out now as it's based on dated technology and accuracy and detection of Brahmos are much more reliable.

No,we will need a mix of Both BM and CM,if prithvi is to be replaced it should be replaced wth shourya and not with brahmos

[Vipul]

Upgrade of MiG-27 fighter aircraft completed.

New Delhi: The upgrade of the 120 Soviet-origin MiG-27 fighter bomber aircraft, which began in 2002, has been successfully completed indigenously, giving the aircraft better navigational technology and a pilot friendly cockpit, a senior official said Tuesday.

The project was initiated in the year 2002 through a tripartite memorandum of understanding between Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) under the aegis of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Nasik and the Indian Air Force.

"The upgraded MiG-27 aircraft is equipped with Inertial Navigation and Global Positioning System (INGPS) providing accurate navigation. Advanced avionics on the aircraft has been interfaced on MIL-STD-1553B Dual Redundant Bus," a senior DRDO official said.

"To enable weapon aiming, accurate ranging sensors such as Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker (LRMTS) are integrated. A digital map generator has been integrated to improve situational awareness. The digital video recording system provides mission analysis and debrief support," he said.

The avionics system is built around a modular mission computer termed Core Avionics Computer (CAC), developed by DARE. The CAC built on open system principles and houses functional modules using contemporary processors and devices. These functional modules are powering the mission computers on Jaguar and Su-30 MKI aircraft as well.

DARE developed algorithms for navigation and ranging including a weapon delivery algorithm, which was developed along with Software Development Institute of IAF enabling precision weapon delivery.

"The upgraded aircraft has a pilot friendly cockpit with state-of-art multi function display and head up display (HUD). The pilot flies "Head Up" with all the necessary navigation and attack guidance symbology presented on the HUD and superimposed on the outside world-view.

The integrated flight and weapon control system of the upgraded aircraft enables hands free (auto pilot) route flying and auto-weapon delivery," the official said.

HAL-Nasik was instrumental in the design and modification of prototype aircraft for installation of new cockpit and avionics equipment as well as related looming changes.

[Kakarat]

India upgrades MiG-27 aircraft avionics

[Vivek K]

So Jags and 27s are ready to go? The article states that 120 27s were upgraded. How many Jags were upgraded? There were 37 new build Jags IIRC.

[Aditya G]

Upgrade of MiG-27 fighter aircraft completed.

Upgrade is good news, but we should have included IFR probe as part of the upgrade. That was in the original plan per original Rupak article. The extended range would have brought it deep penetration strike capability like Jaguar and enhanced its maritime role on the eastern coast.

http://www.vectorsite.net/avmig23_2.html

.... The Iraqis obtained 80 and fitted some of them with fixed, nose-mounted midair refueling probes -- like those on Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighters, possibly using the same hardware -- for long-range strikes during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. The Iraqis even fitted the French ATLIS laser targeting pod to their MiG-23BNs to guide the Kh-29L (NATO AS-14 "Kedge") laser-guided ASM. ....

[K Mehta]

So this whole upgrade was indigenous? thats great, looks much better too.

[Anurag]

Interesting to see the 120 figure. I was under the impression that the number had been cut down to just 40 aircrafts along with not including the IFR probe.

[aditp]

India upgrades MiG-27 aircraft avionics

I faintly recall having recalled somewhere that the IAF was interested in re-engining of the Mig-27 with the AL-31F engine (same as being used on the Su-30MKI). With a slightly greater thrust, this would enable the Mig-27 to carry a heavier weapons load while AL-31F turbofan would significantly improve both range and endurance as compared to the R-29B-300 turbojet engine which is a fuel hog.

Any idea what happened to that since the article doesnt mention anything about the engine.

[Kartik]

India upgrades MiG-27 aircraft avionics

I faintly recall having recalled somewhere that the IAF was interested in re-engining of the Mig-27 with the AL-31F engine (same as being used on the Su-30MKI). With a slightly greater thrust, this would enable the Mig-27 to carry a heavier weapons load while AL-31F turbofan would significantly improve both range and endurance as compared to the R-29B-300 turbojet engine which is a fuel hog.

Any idea what happened to that since the article doesnt mention anything about the engine.

Actually it was Saturn trying to get IAF interested in a re-engining of its MiG-27 fleet..they even flew a MiG-27 that was re-engined with the AL-31F in Russia (pilot.strizi.ru should have the pics).

it definitely improved the performance due to lower Specific Fuel Consumption and opened up the flight envelope slightly because of better resistance to compressor stall due to severely degraded airflow into the engine.

don't know if the IAF is looking to do anything about it though..they should, considering that Koraput has the technology for the AL-31F.

[Anurag]

Here are some more details on the integration process of the AL-31 with IAF's Mig-27.


http://www.airfleet.ru/index.php?staid=1001074

Another project regards development of an electronic control system for the AL-31F engine. It is being implemented in parallel with engine's modernisation works. As soon as the Indian Air Force began adopting the Su-30 fighters powered by the AL-31F, one of the best modern turbofans, an idea to unify engines installed in the Su-30s and MiG-27s took root. The more so that in the beginning of their flying history MiGs were produced with the AL-21F engines, available at the moment for installation. In such case, however, only overhauled engines could be offered, and no unification possible. At first glance the problem seemed practically unsolvable since the R29B-300’s air consumption was around 102-104 kg/s while the AL-31F’s reached 112 kg/s. Besides, the new engine dimensions demanded nearly complete alteration of the MiG-27ML’s tail end, thus necessitating considerable financial expenses. As this option was completely unacceptable for India, the enterprise started looking for new solutions. After having studied Salyut’s inner potential, its specialists realised that the enterprise was able to invest its own money into the initial independent research phase of the AL-31 engine installation on the MiG-27 aircraft. Salyut design bureau specialists began studying the problem since the late 2002. After having done aircraft/engine dimension analysis coupled with computer-aided, visual and assembly matching, they came to realise that with only small modifications the aircraft and engine could integrate. The aircraft has small reserves in air consumption terms, making it possible to reduce the AL-31F engine’s air flow at take off and provide maximum limits at high altitude. It signified that the engine could be installed to power the aircraft. There were some mechanical problems to be solved. For instance, the engine stuck against a fuel tank and some other elements of the airframe in the axial direction. It required that some elements of the engine were relocated. A problem of retaining all aircraft units also emerged so that they would remain unaffected. That problem also was solved successfully. All aircraft units mounted on the R29B-300 reduction gearbox to support engine’s operation were retained. Only the transmission box was modified as the gear ratio between the old engine and units was different: the reduction gear had to be replaced. But even with all the aircraft systems retained it was necessary to relocate them so that inner airframe outlines were not changed, fuel tanks and bulkheads unaffected and engine nacelle inner outlines revamped. Besides, it was by introducing new suspension elements, repositioning the units, generator and starter, and reshaping some engine parts that the engine could be successfully fitted into the nacelle without affecting strong frames and fuel system components of the aircraft.

The engine mounting procedure was also modified. The R29B-300 engine consisted of two parts. The fore part of the engine was mounted first, then the aft part was inserted into the tail end of the aircraft, and finally everything was integrated into one. As the AL-31F engine is non-detachable, it must be first mounted into the middle part of the airframe and after that the tail end can be rolled on it. The AL-31F engine is moved into the MiG-27 fuselage on a specially designed trolley, then fastened to the main lugs, lined up along the aircraft longitudinal axis, and fixed in this position with the help of a special technological bar in its front end. After that the tail end of the aircraft is rolled in place on a special trolley, and joined together with the middle part of the fuselage. The engine is then finally fixed with the tail support, and the technological suspension is detached. After this all the systems can be mounted. Besides, the airframe had also to be slightly modified: the starter turned by 20° and a new exhaust door introduced, new air ducts conducted to units to be cooled But main changes concerned the engine itself. To reduce development time and costs the new transmission box was made up of two parts. Aircraft units were taken from the old engine while engine units from the AL-31FN. Both parts of the box are combined by the strong case and gear. The oil system was radically changed as its oil tank and assemblies had to be installed not where they could sit optimally in terms of engine operation, but in spaces sufficient for their fitting inside the airframe. Installation of the AL-31 engine on the MiG-27 aircraft has one more advantage. If the MiG-27s are phased out before the engines have spent their technical lives, they can be 70 percent available for repairing the AL-31FP engines of the Su-30MKI fighters. The two engines have the same inner part with only external parts different, such as cases, framing, oil systems.

The AL-31А engines could be also used for retrofitting the MiG-23 aircraft still operated in great numbers in many countries of the world. Installation of the new engine into the MiG-23 aircraft would bring about even fewer problems than in the case with the MiG-27, but provide more serious gains.

[kuldipchager]

If we can somehow put this AL-31f in LCA,we can fly LCA mach 2-plus.Need some work to be done and we don't have to waiste $10bils on MRCA.I am sure russian will love to work on this project.

[sarang]

If we can somehow put this AL-31f in LCA,we can fly LCA mach 2-plus.Need some work to be done and we don't have to waiste $10bils on MRCA.I am sure russian will love to work on this project.

[Aditya_V]

MiG-27 fleet upgraded to modern standards

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indi ... 943647.cms

I wonder whether he means the 50 Mig-27's marked for upgrade or the entire fleet. The previous plan also included attaching a radar pod allowing Mig-27's to fire R-77 missiles.

[vavinash]

Do they need R-77?? R-73's should be good enough like Jags carrying Matra Magic's.

[Aditya G]

MiG-27 fleet upgraded to modern standards

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indi ... 943647.cms

as also increase the fighter's ‘combat radius’ with in-flight refuelling.

DDM?

[ASPuar]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indi ... .cms#write

Meltdown drives IITians to fly with IAF
7 Jan 2009, 0340 hrs IST, D Suresh Kumar

CHENNAI: Even if your imagination ran really wild, you would never have conjured up the image of an IITian wearing a defence uniform. But this is no
longer in the realm of fiction as the global economic meltdown is now driving IITians to fly with the Indian Air Force!

With financial majors and global consulting firms staying away from campus placements this year, over three dozen final year students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Madras) have opted for a career with the IAF.

"More than 40 students applied for the IAF's technical graduate entry scheme this year. In contrast, last year, not a single student responded when the IAF had come to the campus for placements," Jayakumar, deputy registrar (training and placement), IIT-M, told TOI. "I don't think such a thing has happened in recent years. We have only heard that sometime in the 1960s, there were IITians in the defence services," he added.

From among the 40-odd aspirants, the IAF services selection board (SSB) has short-listed 17. "How many of them will eventually clear the SSB is a million dollar question. The SSB has a testing process, which includes a psychology test, group task and personal interview, spread over a period of five days," Jayakumar said.

If selected, these students will undergo strenuous physical training like other IAF officers, but their jobs will be confined to the technical wing.

Amit Garg, students secretary (academic affairs), admitted that the move was a fallout of the global meltdown. "Recruitments have been slow with just 50% of the 1,000-odd students who had registered for the campus placements being selected. For the first time, we have found that students responded positively to a career with the defence services and even non-governmental organisations," he said.

The slowdown has forced the authorities to extend campus placement till April; it usually ends by February. "We decided to extend the season since many companies informed us that they were waiting for the current financial year to end before finalising their manpower requirement," Garg said.

Sensing that the companies that have been lined up may not pick all aspirants, the placement authorities utilised the recent PanIIT meet to network with alumni and also entrepreneurs running start-ups to ease the situation. Also, informally professors in some departments have advised students to enrol for the B.Tech dual degree programme so that they can complete their master's degree by spending an additional year, by when the placement scene is expected to improve.

Although a round of, as usual, DDM reporting, since IITians have since the inception of IIT, and do today as well, joined defence services, straight from BTECH, and also through in service courses, this is an interesting piece of news.

[sum]

There was never a doubt that the biggest benefeciaries of a IT meltdown will be DRDO and the armed forces in that order..

[shiv]

If we can somehow put this AL-31f in LCA,we can fly LCA mach 2-plus.Need some work to be done and we don't have to waiste $10bils on MRCA.I am sure russian will love to work on this project.

How would that help kuldipchager? Do you have any idea how it would help to have the LCA flying Mach 2

[Rahul M]

even the al-31 part is doubtful, although IAF did reportedly show some interest in it.

but TVC is a no, mig-27 in its strike role doesn't require TVC at all. it will add weight w/o adding anything to its performance.

[JTull]

IFR being part of the Mig-27 upgrade package needs to confirmed.

[vijyeta]

even the al-31 part is doubtful, although IAF did reportedly show some interest in it.

but TVC is a no, mig-27 in its strike role doesn't require TVC at all. it will add weight w/o adding anything to its performance.

Won't addition of TVC also require changes to the airframe? I dont think the MIG 27 was designed keeping in mind the additional stress TVC might cause to the airframe in certain situations ( high AOA etc)

[Singha]

IAF has only chosen to upg 40 Mig27. clearly indicates they are not going to take AL31 option. the rest around 80 will retire as time passes by.

[Hiten]

If the AL-31F engines are incorporated into the MiG-27s, would they also be incorporating the TVC into the MiG-27s

[Shameek]

Adding TVC will mean the whole control profile of the MiG 27 will change. This would be an expensive and completely unnecessary change given the role of the MiG 27.

[SaiK]

The upgraded MiG-27 aircraft is equipped with Inertial Navigation & Global Positioning System (INGPS) providing accurate Navigation. Advanced avionics on the aircraft has been interfaced on MIL-STD-1553B Dual Redundant Bus. To enable weapon aiming, accurate ranging sensors such as Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and Laser Ranger & Marked Target Seeker (LRMTS) are integrated. A digital Map Generator has been integrated to improve situational awareness. The digital Video Recording system provides mission analysis and debrief support.

The upgraded aircraft has a pilot friendly cockpit with state-of-Art Multi Function Display (MFD) and Head Up Display (HUD). The pilot flies “Head Up” with all the necessary NAV and attack guidance symbology presented on the HUD and superimposed on the outside world view. The Integrated Flight and Weapon Control System of the upgraded aircraft enables Hands Free (Auto Pilot) Route Flying and Auto-Weapon delivery. A functional maintenance mode has been incorporated providing “On AIRCRAFT” LRU health checks.

Advanced integrated EW Suite is integrated along with state-of-art communication systems. The upgraded aircraft also has an emergency situation indication system and automated emergency handling cueing system on Multi Function Display (MFD). The introduction of LDP has enhanced the Night Attack Capability.

http://frontierindia.net/india-upgrades ... t-avionics

[SaiK]

If we can somehow put this AL-31f in LCA,we can fly LCA mach 2-plus.Need some work to be done and we don't have to waiste $10bils on MRCA.I am sure russian will love to work on this project.

How would that help kuldipchager? Do you have any idea how it would help to have the LCA flying Mach 2

the al31 s length itself is near 200", while LCA can accommodate not more than 150".

however just thought of the interesting point where Kaveri could gain.. extending the current 137" to 150" inches would increase thrust? more combustion space? -> move over to Kaveri thread./ot

[Aditya_M]

Top speed is not everything - no point getting to that speed if your fuel consumption is so high that you're dry in one minute. And a small bird like the Tejas can only carry so much fuel, that it would rather have the most fuel-efficient engine than just simply a powerful one.

What is more important is the velocity profile - speed at all altitudes. If the top speed at 40,000 ft is Mach 1.6 or 2.0, it would not be all that different; but a sea-level speed of 0.8 to 1.2 could make a difference of life and death. As it is the LCA with its delta wings should require less thrust than conventional-layout-aircraft of the same size to reach the same speed.

As for TVC on a Flogger - why on earth?!

[sombhat]

Thank heavens they got rid of the Soviet Teal interior. The office not only works better, it also looks neat

[Juggi G]

VVIP aircraft fleet arrives, to be inducted next month
Indian Express

VVIP aircraft fleet arrives, to be inducted next month
Manu Pubby
Posted: Jan 08, 2009 at 0022 hrs IST

New Delhi: The Prime Minister is set to fly in his new, specially designed VVIP aircraft from March with the arrival of the entire Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) fleet from the US. Sources confirmed that all three VVIP aircraft have reached the Capital and would be formally inducted in February and would begin operating by March.

The Indian Air Force’s Communications Squadron, which ferries the President, Prime Minister and top Cabinet ministers, has stepped up the training of its crew to ensure that the jets begin VVIP duties by March.

The Air Force is at present sorting out ‘teething problems’ linked with the induction of new aircraft but is confident that the aircraft would start flying VVIPs within two months. A formal induction ceremony is scheduled towards the end of February.

The aircraft will enter service nine months behind schedule due to last minute integration problems of the missile defence system and sorting out of end user verification laws with the US.

Sources said that the three aircraft are now being extensively flown across the country and are undergoing complete system checks. The Prime Minister’s aircraft will be christened Rajdoot, the name of one of the three Russian TU 124s that were part of the VVIP Squadron in the 1970s.

One of the VVIP aircraft will be dedicated to the President while the third will be used to ferry special guests or senior ministers and will be used in the absence of the other two.

The Prime Minister at present relies on the ageing Boeing 737 of the IAF, smaller Embraer executive jets (14-15 passengers) and chartered aircraft from Air India for domestic and international travel. The new jets have a range of 3,140 nautical miles and a capacity to carry 60 passengers.

Shorter air hauls of the Prime Minister are also set to get more comfortable with the Government finalising a deal for a fleet of new helicopters with European aviation major Augusta Westland. The IAF at present operates the Mi 17 transport helicopter to ferry the Prime Minister.

Sources say that the existing fleet of five Embraer executive aircraft is also set to be strengthened with the induction of four more jets for travel by senior cabinet ministers and defence forces chiefs.

[sum]

Sources say that the existing fleet of five Embraer executive aircraft is also set to be strengthened with the induction of four more jets for travel by senior cabinet ministers and defence forces chiefs.

Do these aircrafts sometimes get used in "other ops"(esp by ARC) when free or are they purely civilian ferries?