Indian Military Aviation News and Discussion

[Arun_S]

We saw picture of A2 PRIME with a booster that is thicker than 1m that of Agni-II.

Here it is saying it is still 20m and 17 tonne weight. And booster is composite (as against metal booster in A-II).

To me it is likely that A-II will be A-II prime, and the thicker booster we saw earlier that failed will be the Agni-IV.



[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/769286.aspx"]India test-fires nuclear-capable 'Agni-IV' missile[/url]

Press Trust Of India Bhubaneswar, November 15, 2011 Adding teeth to its nuclear deterrence, India on Tuesday successfully test-fired an advanced variant of nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile with a strike range of 3,000 km from an island off Odisha coast.



"The surface-to-surface intermediate range missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher" at 0900 hours from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from here, defence sources said.



Christened "Agni-II Prime", the new missile is a two-stage weapon system powered by solid propellant. It is 20 metres long and launch weight is 17 tonnes. It can carry one tonne pay-load.



A Defence Ministry spokesman said in Delhi that from now on, the missile will be called 'Agni-IV'.



Describing the test-firing as "successful", defence sources said the missile’s exact performances will be known after all data was collected and analysed from different telemetry and tracking stations as well as naval ships positioned near the terminal point.



"The indigenously developed new variant of 'Agni-II' series missile would have better accuracy and improved range", the sources said.



"While the Agni-II missile has a strike range of 2000 km and Agni-III can hit a target at a distance up to 3500 km, this new variant with a strike range of 3000 km would bridge the gap between Agni-II and Agni-III," they said.



In terms of accuracy, "some more improved features have been incorporated in it," a DRDO scientist said.



The first developmental trial of Agni-II Prime, conducted on December 10, 2010, had failed due to some technical problem in the control system. It deviated from its trajectory within seconds of its lift off from the same base and had plunged into the sea.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='ramana' date='09 November 2011 - 02:46 AM' timestamp='1320786518' post='113636']

News Report:



[url="http://www.asianage.com/india/mig-29-pilot-s-remains-found-716"]Mig-29 pilot remains found[/url]



RIP

[/quote]



Squadron Leader D.S. Tomar's Mig 29 hit the almost vertical mountain rock face head on (80 degree) at 900 km/Hr speed. He was flying 4 km behind the leader. Flight leader was very very fortuitous. I think it was a very very unfortunate accident.



Rest In Peace Squadron Leader D.S. Tomar.

[Arun_S]

[b][url="http://www.samachar.com/Embraer-jet-for-Indian-airborne-radar-flight-tested-lmhuKNgfgjb.html?source=recommended_news"]Embraer jet for Indian airborne radar flight tested[/url]

[/b]

2011-12-07 20:00:00 [url="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B87jI_c_fTpWZK4LSnQSrib3_BoXssIoDrejp3ULAjbcBkKJiEAEYASCv6YgDOABQ55aWjQNgyZ72hsijoBmgAfvLu80DsgEQd3d3LnNhbWFjaGFyLmNvbcgBAdoBdGh0dHA6Ly93d3cuc2FtYWNoYXIuY29tL0VtYnJhZXItamV0LWZvci1JbmRpYW4tYWlyYm9ybmUtcmFkYXItZmxpZ2h0LXRlc3RlZC1sbWh1S05nZmdqYi5odG1sP3NvdXJjZT1yZWNvbW1lbmRlZF9uZXdzqAMB6APfCegD1SfoA5gD9QMAAgDE9QMgAAAQ&num=1&sig=AOD64_3bxbpxvgAo6F7JhHOJPfCJSlDKXg&client=ca-sify_js&adurl=http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk%3B249034053%3B73786706%3Bn%3Fhttp://static.2mdn.net/3125202/1-gor.html%3Furl%3Dhttps://www.google.com/offers/home%3Futm_source%3Dxsell%26utm_medium%3Del%26site%3D992265%26utm_campaign%3DgrouplybetaSF%26utm_term%3Dpid_73786706-aid_249034053%26%21details/f4848e8fba78ecca/QHZMA476UH40DKJT"][/url]

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The first fully-modified aircraft for India's indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) has taken to the skies for its maiden flight from the Embraer facilities at Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil, Indian officials said Wednesday.



With about 1,000 mission system components provided by Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the first flight test Tuesday was successful, according to DRDO officials here.



These include the critical item such as the active electronic scanning antenna (AESA) radar developed by DRDO and certified from Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC), an international aviation regulations certification agency.



'The flight is a major milestone towards realizing the dream of Indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System, which will put India in a select club of countries,' said DRDO chief and Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister V.K. Saraswat, congratulating DRDO scientists and Embraer engineers on the achievement.



While the aircraft will now undergo full certification process over next two-year period, India will receive two aircraft by the middle of next year.



Here, the mission systems developed by various DRDO labs will be integrated with these aircraft. Currently, these systems are undergoing ground integration and evaluation at CABS in Bangalore.



Two of these systems will be delivered to the Indian Air Force after detailed test and evaluation by end 2013.



'With the advent of this, India is looking forward to join the league of countries capable of developing and delivering such a complex airborne system to its users,' the release said.

[Arun_S]

India buys another 42 Sukhoi Su-30MKI



[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16212204"]India and Russia fail to extend nuclear plant plan[/url]

Indian PM Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have failed to sign a deal to extend a controversial nuclear project. On his two-day visit to Russia, Mr Singh said work on two units at the Koodankulam plant in Tamil Nadu would be completed.



But there was no deal on units three and four. The $3bn nuclear plant has been beset by protests over safety.



Russia has also backed India's bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.



At the talks, India also signed a deal for 42 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.

[ramana]

Rafale chosen for MMRCA.

[Arun_S]

A subtle public indication of the closer relationship with France over last many years, that has bearing on military secrets (a.k.a computational and experimental resources, high energy physics regime ... ... .)



[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/796624.aspx%20"]India, France to set up virtual institute on mathematics [/url]

Press Trust Of India

New Delhi, January 13, 2012

India and France have decided to set up a virtual institute for applied mathematics to take up joint research projects in the area.

An agreement to set up the virtual institute was signed last evening between the Department of Science and Technology and the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) of France. The new initiative will have participation from six institutes from India led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. The University of Toulouse will be the lead institute from France.



Besides the initiative in mathematics, the two sides also signed agreements to renew cooperation in the field of immunology and informatics.



"We have signed agreements with the Indian counterparts to set up a joint unit in mathematics in Bangalore and two international associated labs in informatics and immunology to strengthen scientific collaboration between the two countries," CNRS Director-General Joel Bertrand said in New Delhi.



The three projects will be funded equally by Paris-based CNRS and the Departments of Science and Technology, and Biotechnology.



"Each side will contribute Rs five crore towards the initiative," Thirumalachari Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology said.



The funds would be spent over the next four years on joint research projects in mathematical sciences, exchange visits, he said.



[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/796624.aspx#"] http://www.hindustan...int/796624.aspx [/url]

[url="http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/cnrs-to-open-labs-in-informatics-immunology-in-india/948834.html"]CNRS to open labs in informatics, immunology in India[/url]

PTI | 10:01 PM,Jan 10,2012 Bangalore, Jan 10 (PTI): CNRS, the largest governmental research organisation in France, today announced the creation of an international joint unit in mathematics here and an international associated laboratory in informatics in Chennai. The unit would be established in association with India's Department of Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Science here, while Chennai Mathematical Institute and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences would join forces with the CNRS for the lab initiative. Joel Bertrand, CNRS Director General for Science, also announced at a press conference here today the signing of a general MoU renewal with India's Department of Biotechnology to create a new international associated laboratory in immunology. Bertrand, leading a CNRS delegation visiting India from yesterday to January 18, said CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), the largest fundamental science agency in Europe, would formally open its new office in New Delhi on Thursday. "France and India have a long tradition in mathematics", Bertrand said. "We intend to have strong cooperation with India". The unit and labs initiatives would have shared budgets from the French and Indian sides, said officials of CNRS, whose 2011 budget is Euro 3.2 billion. CNRS employs some 34,000 staff including 11,400 researchers and 14,200 engineers and technicians. Researchers from Paris-based CNRS were awarded 17 Nobel prizes and 11 Fields Medals, officials said.

[Arun_S]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...?prtpage=1



Maiden test-flight of 2nd indigenous AEWACS aircraft

PTI | Apr 5, 2012, 10.28PM IST





Maiden test-flight of 2nd indigenous AEWACS aircraft

PTI

Apr 5, 2012,



NEW DELHI: Achieving a major milestone, India has successfully carried out the maiden test-flight of its second indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft in Brazil, the DRDO said today. The successful flight is seen as a major boost as the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in June to the IAF. "The necessary mission systems and components including the dummy Active Antenna Array Unit are successfully fitted onboard Embraer EMB 145I aircraft and the flight was held at 1930 hours on April 4, 2012 at the San Jose dos Campos in Brazil," DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta said in a release. India is working on an indigenous programme to develop 'eyes in the sky' using the Brazil aircraft as the platform for the radar. DRDO chief V K Saraswat complimented the team working on the project and admired its efforts. "Apart from the external mission systems developed indigenously and fitted on this aircraft, rest of the internal systems will be integrated into the aircraft on arrival to India. "DRDO has contracted to procure three EMB 145I from Embraer and this aircraft will be the first delivery towards meeting this endeavour," Gupta said. He said the other mission systems will then be integrated on to the aircraft and Mission System flight trials are likely to commence from November. India has already inducted three AWACS systems from Israel and is planning to place orders for two more. The Bangalore-based Central Airborne Systems is working on the programme which was abandoned once earlier after a crash in which some of the technicians and air force personnel had died.

[ravish]

There are media reports that a Rs.2000/- crores deal has been finalized for purchase of basic trainers for the IAF from Switzerland. It is further stated that it will take 15 months for delivery of the new aircraft to start.

It may be recalled that the HPT-32 basic trainer has been grounded after an air crash more than a year ago. Since than the IAF training program is being carried out in an ad hoc manner.

It is good that at last a decision has been taken on this issue.

However, it is sad to note that after six decades of our independence, India is incapable to manufacture a basic trainer aircraft and the same needs to be imported.

[shyam1]

LCA Mk3! But how long till this is operationally cleared? 2025 surely. Mk2 wont get clearance till probably 2022

[Arun_S]

^^^ I am seeing for the first time DRDO/Sarswat mentioning development of the crucial Bi-static radar. The reason it is so crucial is that that is only viable way to catch low flying "barberic" CM as well as extend the range, sensor accuracy and sensor confidence for ABM's Long range radar in detection as well ranging mode. The bi-static radar is an critial element to secure air border, and in tandem with Akash missile all barbur (sic) will bite dust.

[shyam1]

BK speaks:



Sikorsky hepter for the Indian Navy

Posted on July 12, 2012



The Indian Navy has, apparently, alighted on the US-built Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter for seaborne anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations for the Indian fleet to replace the British-produced Sea King, supposedly some 44 units as first tranche with another 14-22 possibly in the pipeline. This was preferred to the British Augusta-Westland number. Many knowledgeable persons have raised doubts related mainly to the possibility of a U.S. veto on its uses and on integrating the Brahmos with this platform which will require classified info about this Indo-Russian cruise missile to be disclosed to Sikorsky. One would think this would breach some understanding or the other we have with the Russians. This is a worry and one wonders what the MoD-GOI have in mind to do about it. About the other worry about the US playing hooky with spares and service support in wartime and grounding these hepters. That too is a worry. But the Augusta-Westland item would have been similarly vulnerable, as the Sea Kings were, because of their American components. The Navy has apparently to take these risks. But will there be any tech-transfer in this deal or just straightforward cash transfer?



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I think GoI is allying with Washington on PRC, so what if GoI is using this predominantly against PRC? Ideally, we shouldnt have to worry.

[Arun_S]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nine-k...r/995732/0





Nine killed as 2 IAF choppers collide mid-air Express news service Posted online: Fri Aug 31 2012, 01:57 hrs Rajkot, New Delhi : In the first ever mid-air helicopter collision involving the Indian Air Force (IAF), nine defence personnel, including five officers, were killed after two Mi-17 choppers crashed into each other minutes after taking off from Jamnagar airbase on Thursday afternoon. While the IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident, initial reports suggest that the crash occurred after the rotor wings of the two choppers came into contact during a close formation flying mission. Both helicopters were fully armed for a rocket firing mission and crashed just five minutes after taking off, indicating that they had just “paired up” after take-off when the collision occurred. Those who were killed have been identified as Wing Commander A Sharma, Wing Commander V Singh, Wing Commander S Saxena, Squadron Leader V Manoj, Flying Officer M Srijeet, Junior Warrant Officer R Murugan, and Sergeants R K Rana, R P Sahni and H K Patel. The crash occurred just outside the Sarmat firing range. According to eyewitnesses, the choppers were flying very close to each other when their rotor blades came in contact, causing both to lose control. The tail rotor of one of the choppers snapped too. Eyewitnesses said that after the rotor blades collided, one of the two choppers veered into an 11 KV electricity transmission line, which resulted in it catching fire. The second chopper, witnesses said, crashed to the ground. “We were at a tea stall just a few metres away when we saw the blades of the two choppers colliding with each other,” said Dosabhai Boraiya, the owner of the farm where the choppers crashed. “I saw that one of the choppers later touched the electricity transmission wire and caught fire,” he added. His brother Jasabhai, who was also present at the site, said they ran towards the chopper that had not caught fire and pulled out three of the four IAF personnel who were on board. They were rushed to a nearby IAF hospital but none survived. The other chopper had five personnel on board. Initial reports indicated that the choppers collided with each other just off the ground level and were flying in close formation for a firing practice mission. The distance between the two choppers at this point is usually just over 25 metres, requiring extreme concentration by the pilots. All the four pilots were extremely qualified and belonged to the elite Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) that is based in Gwalior. A technical fault is not being ruled out as some accounts suggested that one of the two choppers veered off-course in what seemed like a technical hitch. A final word on the crash would, however, take time as investigators will have to comb through the debris, radio conversations and flight data recorders to piece together the cause behind the accident. The rare accident — the last mid-air collision for the Armed Forces took place in 2002 when two IL 38 Naval aircraft crashed during a demonstration flight in Goa with 12 casualties — has evoked concern as the helicopters involved are the backbone of the IAF’s transport fleet. The last fatal crash involving an Mi-17 took place in November 2010 in Tawang in which 12 service personnel were killed. The IAF has entrusted its confidence in the Mi-17 fleet and currently has 80 new variants of the chopper on order.

[ravish]

The first air crash involving the newly acquired C’130 J is not only tragic but is rather disturbing. It ia not correct to speculate on the cause of the crash but one should await the investigation report. Let us pay our condolences to the bereaved families