Indian Air Force (IAF): News

HAL Rolls-out HTT-40 Prototype
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Boost-to-Make-in-India-HAL-Rolls-out-HTT-40-Prototype/2016/02/02/article3257448.ece

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HAL has rolled-out the first prototype of Hindustan Turboprop Trainer (HTT-40)--tandem seat trainer aircraft--with the aircraft sporting all the aircraft lights and powered on cockpit.

T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL said that the HTT-40 prototype efforts symbolizes the renewed and revitalized proactive approach at HAL. “It is important that all of us work towards meeting deadlines by overcoming challenges to meet the expectations at various levels. The project has managed to steer through the initial headwinds and now is going full throttle. There are plans to weaponize and optimize HTT-40 aircraft”, he added.

The roll-out of prototype took place recently from the equipping facility at Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) hangar through a remotely operated minicar. HAL Board members were present along with members from Flight Operations, IAF-IPMT(integrated project management team) headed by Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) and Regional Director of Quality Assurance (RDQA).

The aircraft is now ready for undertaking ground runs and taxi trials to be followed by its maiden flight. HTT-40 is being developed at HAL for the first stage training of rookie pilots

First ground test run light utility helicopter. Picture from Dec 2014.

"Northrop Grumman has been awarded an $11,734,223 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures on India head of state aircraft. Work will be performed in India and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2020. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales to India. The LAIRCM system is a defensive system for large transport and rotary-wing aircraft that combines a Missile Warning System (MWS) and infrared laser jammer countermeasure system to protect the aircraft from infrared guided threat missiles.

LAIRCM automatically detects a missile launch, determines if it is a threat and activates a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile. The counter-measures subsystem uses lasers mounted in pointer-tracker turret assemblies. LAIRCM is an active countermeasure that defeats the threat missile guidance system by directing a high-intensity modulated laser beam into the missile seeker. In addition, the LAIRCM system automatically counters advanced IR missile systems with no action required by the crew.



Northrop Grumman's various infrared countermeasure systems are now installed or scheduled for installation on more than 1,000 military aircraft around the world to protect 55 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The mature, reliable technology has been incorporated in more than 3,250 pointer/trackers that are now in full-rate production to protect these aircraft, supporting more than 1 million hours of theatre operation."

Source: http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2016/february/2370-northrop-grumman-to-install-countermeasures-system-on-india-head-of-state-aircraft.html

aksha wrote:HAL Rolls-out HTT-40 Prototype
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Boost-to-Make-in-India-HAL-Rolls-out-HTT-40-Prototype/2016/02/02/article3257448.ece

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  HAL has rolled-out the first prototype of Hindustan Turboprop Trainer (HTT-40)--tandem seat trainer aircraft--with the aircraft sporting all the aircraft lights and powered on cockpit.  

T Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL said that the HTT-40 prototype efforts symbolizes the renewed and revitalized proactive approach at HAL. “It is important that all of us work towards meeting deadlines by overcoming challenges to meet the expectations at various levels. The project has managed to steer through the initial headwinds and now is going full throttle. There are plans to weaponize and optimize HTT-40 aircraft”, he added.

The roll-out of prototype took place recently from the equipping facility at Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) hangar through a remotely operated minicar. HAL Board members were present along with members from Flight Operations, IAF-IPMT(integrated project management team) headed by Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) and Regional Director of Quality Assurance (RDQA).

The aircraft is now ready for undertaking ground runs and taxi trials to be followed by its maiden flight. HTT-40 is being developed at HAL for the first stage training of rookie pilots

“It is important that all of us work towards meeting deadlines by overcoming challenges to meet the expectations at various levels. The project has managed to steer through the initial headwinds and now is going full throttle. There are plans to weaponize and optimize HTT-40 aircraft”, Raju added.

The roll-out of prototype took place recently from the equipping facility at Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) hangar through a remotely operated minicar. HAL Board members were present along with members from Flight Operations, IAF-IPMT(integrated project management team) headed by Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) and Regional Director of Quality Assurance (RDQA). The team composition of HTT-40 is the youngest ever on any prototype programs in HAL. The aircraft is now ready for undertaking ground runs and taxi trials to be followed by its maiden flight. The ground runs will be conducted with the assistance from the engine OEM at ARDC itself. The HTT-40 design was adapted to a final decision on engine selection in May 2015 and the first prototype manufacturing is completed followed by this roll out. In November 2015, the Indian Air Force had issued task directive for the Design and Development of HTT-40.

ARDC also touts HTT 40 as the first ever prototype to be manufactured completely based on a digital mock-up and also by using laser tracked jigs and metal tooling at proto phase itself. Also, the Division has sought active participation of Aircraft Division, Bengaluru which has been identified as the production agency for HTT- 40. Out of the 90 LRUs on HTT-40, 70 systems are sourced from sister Divisions of HAL which include HAL Lucknow, HAL Hyderabad and HAL Korwa(U.P). The Aero Engine Research & Design Centre (AERDC), Engine Division and HAL Kanpur are participating on the engine integration aspects."

Source: http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2016/february/2363-hal-unveils-first-prototype-of-its-htt-40-basic-training-aircraft.html

U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing is in talks with the Indian government to manufacture its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters in India, according to comments by the company’s chief executive officer, Dennis Muilenberg. Muilenberg, who is visiting India for the first time, said that Boeing is in “conversation” with India to manufacture the F/A-18, a multirole fighter, in India. Muilenberg’s remarks come after Boeing’s chairman, James McNerney, said in October that the company would be happy to manufacture the F/A-18 in India provided the Indian Air Force would express interest in purchasing and operating the jets.

“We are taking a hard look at the opportunity for the F18 fighter jet as an area where we can build industrial capacity, supply chain partnerships, technical depth, design and manufacturing capability in India, providing an operational capability that is useful for Indian defence forces,” Muilenberg said in New Delhi earlier this week. ”Make in India is an enabler aligned with that strategy,” he added, referencing the Indian government’s program to encourage indigenous manufacturing.

The F/A-18 was considered as part of India’s now-dead medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) tender, losing out to France’s Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter. Having left the MMRCA tender behind officially, New Delhi has chosen to still stick with the Rafale, opting to conclude the deal through a government-to-government deal with no domestic manufacturing component. (Instead, talks on the Rafale deal are hung up on the issue of offset spending clauses, which would require France to reinvest part of the revenue from the deal in India.) The final deal is for 36 fighters—far short of the 126 envisaged under the MMRCA.

That comments from Boeing regarding the possibility of F/A-18 manufacturing in India are occurring now is not entirely surprising. The U.S. firm could see an opportunity with the still held-up Rafale deal. In fact, the offer to manufacture the F/A-18 in India addresses one of the main lost attractions of the MMRCA procurement program—a domestic manufacturing component with technology transfer.

“Our intent here is to build an industrial framework for the long run that builds on the aerospace investments being made not only by programme, but also by long-term industrial capacity that is globally competitive,” Muilenberg noted in India, clearly marketing his comments to those in India who would love to see a major firm like Boeing invest in India’s homegrown manufacturing sector.

The F/A-18 could be attractive to India for a variety of reasons. Notably, New Delhi is modernizing its carriers and working on its next-generation 65,000 ton Vikrant-class aircraft carrier. India and the United States have a working group on carrier cooperation, and it’s possible that India’s second indigenous aircraft carrier could implement General Electric’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with a Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) launch system for its air wing. If Boeing is serious about talking to India about the F/A-18, that may give U.S.-India cooperation on carrier technology a boost, making the adoption of EMALS CATOBAR system more likely.

There’s a lot to consider with these comments from Boeing’s chief executive. As the MMRCA saga and ongoing talks over the Rafale deal attest, India has faced its share of difficulties in procuring a fourth-generation multi-role fighter. The conclusion of the Rafale deal, which is very likely, will make an F/A-18 acquisition unlikely given the complicated logistics and high maintenance costs for the IAF in managing a fighter fleet consisting of a hodge podge of Russia, French, and U.S. jets.

Muilenburg’s remarks open an interesting door for India. The IAF continues to run a fighter shortage that won’t be solved by the conclusion and delivery of 36 Rafales. The F/A-18 prospect has its problems, but it’s far from an unthinkable option at this point. As always, however, the devil will be in the details. If Boeing and New Delhi open the door to official talks and start discussing an order, history tells us that it could be years before Indian pilots are flying U.S. fighters.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/are-boeing-and-india-about-to-open-the-door-on-a-possible-fa-18-super-hornet-deal/

"The indigenous Light Combat Helicopter has achieved yet another milestone by satisfactory firing of rockets (70 mm) from its prototype, TD-3 in weaponized configuration, its maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This comes after successful completion of basic performance flight testing and outstation trials for cold weather, hot weather and hot and high altitude testing in 2015, HAL said.

“The initial rocket firing trials have been carried out at Jaisalmer, establishing satisfactory integration of hardware and software, structural integrity and safe separation of rocket ammunition,” the defence PSU said in a statement.





Integration of weapons such as rocket, turret gun (20 mm) and air-to-air missile on LCH will further continue, HAL Chairman and Managing Director T Suvarna Raju said. LCH is a 5.5-ton class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL. Its features include sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, Armour protection, nuclear and low visibility features which makes the LCH lethal, agile and survivable, HAL said."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/news/new-indias-light-combat-helicopter-test-fires-rockets-for-the-first-time.html

Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fires indigenous Astra BVRAAM at 'Iron Fist' exercise.

India Finalizes $3B Blueprint for UAV Fleets

Indian defense forces have finalized a blueprint to procure more than 5,000 UAVs over the next 10 years for about US $3 billion, and tenders will be restricted to domestic companies that can tie up with foreign firms, said a Ministry of Defence source.

Lack of industrial expertise, combined with delays and cost overruns, have stymied past efforts to develop and produce indigenous UAVs for tactical requirements. These efforts also were limited to state-owned companies.

"In the future, the private sector will be involved in a big way to meet all future requirements of UAVs," said an MoD official.

In the next three to five years, the Indian Army proposes to equip UAVs down to the battalion level, while the Air Force plans to have fully operational squadrons of surveillance UAVs and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV).

The plan includes the induction of many man-portable mini and micro UAVs for short-range surveillance, and nuclear, biological, chemical detection in the battlefield.

The Indian Army, Air Force and Navy propose to buy tactical UAVs, high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAVs, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs, and medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.

A Navy official said the demand for MALE and tactical UAVs could rise.

Homegrown Programs Underway

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a variety of UAVs for the services, including:

• Air Force: Three Rustom UCAVs and one ground station at a cost of $60 million; two stealth UCAVs called autonomous unmanned research aircraft (AURA) and one ground station for $75 million; 30 Nirbhay UAVs and unspecified numbers of Lakshya-II remotely piloted high speed target drones at a cost of $531,687 per unit.

• Navy: Three Rustom UCAVs and one ground station for $60 million with 12 more to come; 10 MALE Rustoms at a cost of $225 million; four Pawan mini UAVs for $33.2 million; 50 air- and ship-launched Nirbhay UAVs; three rotary UAVs at a cost of $232 million; unspecified numbers of Netra micro UAVs for $50,000 per unit; and Gagan tactical UAVs at a cost of $55 million with help from Israel.

• Army:Three Rustom UCAVs and one ground station at a cost of $60 million and 12 more in the future; 10 Rustom-2 UCAVs for $342.3 million; 12 Nishant UAVs at a cost of $5 million each; and three hybrid mini-UAVs and one ground station for $350,000.

DRDO is also supplying about 25 Netra micro UAVs to Indian paramilitary forces at a cost of $50,000 per unit.

An MoD source said that in the next two years, fresh tenders will be floated for a variety of UAVs, and that a concept study has been started on development of a bomber UAV and a fighter UAV.

Major programs that have been finalized for the Army include induction of 500 mini and macro UAVs and an unspecified number of HALE UAVs; for the Air Force are an unspecified number of UCAVs, 95 micro unmanned aerial systems and an unspecified number of small VTOL and mini unmanned aerial systems; for the Navy are 95 micro unmanned aerial systems and unspecified numbers of HALE UAVs costing around $200 million.

In addition, DRDO also has an independent unmanned surveillance air vehicle on the drawing board, which is similar to the X-45 and X-47 developed in the US and is also scouting for a partner to develop a solar-powered HALE UAV.

Currently Indian defense forces are operating Israeli-made Searcher Mark I, Searcher Mark II, Heron and Herop UAVs and the Indian-made Nishant UAV.

India is keen to consider Boeing’s offer to supply F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Sources said that New Delhi will take a hard look at the proposal in April when a high-level delegation will engage the Indian officials on the construct of the offer. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter will be in India on April 10 in a visit that is expected to take lift cooperation to a new level.

Boeing has offered F/A-18 Super Hornets under the “Make in India” framework of the Indian government. Sources said the proposal is worth considering as IAF is facing acute shortage of fighter jets. The IAF has already made it clear that the 36 Rafale fighter jets that are being negotiated with France are inadequate to meet its operational requirement.

There is a view emerging in the Indian security establishment that F/A-18 Super Hornets can also negate the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the US. Super Hornet is a carrier based multi-role fighter which can be used by the Indian navy as well. Sources said the aircraft can meet both the IAF and Indian navy’s operational requirement.

India had considered F-18 Super Hornet during the earlier hunt for 126 medium multi-role fighter jets. But the US entry lost out to the French Rafale.

With the government scrapping the proposed contract which could not be sealed even after prolonged discussions with the French side, it opened doors for other fighter makers to make fresh bids.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has said the government is working out the best deal with the French. The contract, said to be in the final lap of negotiations is stuck over the price of 36 jets being sought by the French side. Sources said the deal is working out to be worth Rs 60,000 crore.

There is a sense of urgency in acquiring new aircraft as IAF’s force levels are depleting due to an ageing fleet. Sources said the “Make in India” proposal of F-18s will solve the problem on the long term basis. Boeing’s proposal also involves significant transfer of technology with a substantial indigenous content.

The proposal will also benefit the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas” programme which needs to be resurrected after prolonged delays.

Sources said the acquisition can be put on fast track considering the urgency. The government has already stressed on going for direct military sale the route which is faster instead of inviting global bids.


http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-keen-to-buy-f18-super-hornet-fighter-jets-for-iaf/1/626657.html

Navy's Heron UAV Crashes Off Kerala's Coast After Engine Failure

An Israeli-made Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the Indian Navy crashed off the coast of Kerala today after suffering an engine failure.
The UAV was on a routine mission when the incident happened, the Navy said."The UAV was guided to a safe area and ditched over sea," a Navy officer said and added that a court of inquiry has been ordered.The Navy said a search was launched immediately and parts of the aircraft, including the engine, have been recovered.The UAVs, positioned in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kochi, are used for surveillance of the coast and exclusive economic zone.A Heron UAV can be airborne has 18 hours. The Navy has about 10 such UAVs.

Indian squadrons joining Red Flag Alaska:

how the radar of su 30 mki (NIIP N011M Bars) is expected to fare against aesa radars of other fighters of NATO in Red flag exercises ?

Hmm its wise move to turn off radar then to share sensitive codes with US/NATO

Pinto wrote: how the radar of su 30 mki (NIIP N011M Bars) is expected to fare against aesa radars of other fighters of NATO in Red flag exercises ?

During those exercises Indians and French are known to be flying in so called "training mode", while US and other countries that operate US made machines are not very shy about radar signature.

Militarov wrote:

Pinto wrote: how the radar of su 30 mki (NIIP N011M Bars) is expected to fare against aesa radars of other fighters of NATO in Red flag exercises ?

During those exercises Indians and French are known to be flying in so called "training mode", while US and other countries that operate US made machines are not very shy about radar signature.

well bro US is arrogant country and has variety of fighter aircraft so it can show off, but India has its most potent fighter alone in su30 mki so we need to turn off our radar signature and its wise decision too

sepheronx wrote:They turn the radars off, so sensitive data isn't shared.

In reality, BarsM has roughly 50km more detection range than N001VEP of Su-30M2 against 3M^2 so it should detect targets like F-16 with newer AESA first, but barely due to F-16 lower signature compared to Su-30MKI. It would see F-15/18 at longer range.

Info on this is pure open source data. Medo posted info on N001VEP from an Article from Venezuela regarding their tests against their old F-16's I suppose, which don't have AESA.

https://www.russiadefence.net/t1489p480-su-30-for-russian-air-force#153709

Edit: I got some info wrong but BarsM would fair better than N001VEP and N001VEP is pretty darn good. AESA better at ecm and radar clarity (experts say).

Detecting range of 160 km against F-16, Venezuela test against their own F-16. But the point in this article was testing Venezuelan Su-30MK2 with N001VEP and R-77 and R-27ER against Chilean F-16C/D Block 50/52 with APG-68 (v9) and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, which is the most capable F-16 variant US exported. I don't think there are any AESA radar user outside USAF. Maybe Israel, which use their own AESA radar.

Pinto wrote: how the radar of su 30 mki (NIIP N011M Bars) is expected to fare against aesa radars of other fighters of NATO in Red flag exercises ?

Who knows. Training mode is usually very limited. Using only 1 training frequency, no frequency hoping, no ECCM, etc. Bars-M is not pure PESA, but hybrid radar and work quite similarly to AESA. Its capabilities are kept secret for a reason.

medo wrote:

sepheronx wrote:They turn the radars off, so sensitive data isn't shared.

In reality, BarsM has roughly 50km more detection range than N001VEP of Su-30M2 against 3M^2 so it should detect targets like F-16 with newer AESA first, but barely due to F-16 lower signature compared to Su-30MKI. It would see F-15/18 at longer range.

Info on this is pure open source data. Medo posted info on N001VEP from an Article from Venezuela regarding their tests against their old F-16's I suppose, which don't have AESA.

https://www.russiadefence.net/t1489p480-su-30-for-russian-air-force#153709

Edit: I got some info wrong but BarsM would fair better than N001VEP and N001VEP is pretty darn good. AESA better at ecm and radar clarity (experts say).

Detecting range of 160 km against F-16, Venezuela test against their own F-16. But the point in this article was testing Venezuelan Su-30MK2 with N001VEP and R-77 and R-27ER against Chilean F-16C/D Block 50/52 with APG-68 (v9) and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, which is the most capable F-16 variant US exported. I don't think there are any AESA radar user outside USAF. Maybe Israel, which use their own AESA radar.

United Arab Emirates use F16 Block 60 with AN/APG-80.

sepheronx wrote:

medo wrote:

sepheronx wrote:They turn the radars off, so sensitive data isn't shared.

In reality, BarsM has roughly 50km more detection range than N001VEP of Su-30M2 against 3M^2 so it should detect targets like F-16 with newer AESA first, but barely due to F-16 lower signature compared to Su-30MKI. It would see F-15/18 at longer range.

Info on this is pure open source data. Medo posted info on N001VEP from an Article from Venezuela regarding their tests against their old F-16's I suppose, which don't have AESA.

https://www.russiadefence.net/t1489p480-su-30-for-russian-air-force#153709

Edit: I got some info wrong but BarsM would fair better than N001VEP and N001VEP is pretty darn good. AESA better at ecm and radar clarity (experts say).

Detecting range of 160 km against F-16, Venezuela test against their own F-16. But the point in this article was testing Venezuelan Su-30MK2 with N001VEP and R-77 and R-27ER against Chilean F-16C/D Block 50/52 with APG-68 (v9) and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, which is the most capable F-16 variant US exported. I don't think there are any AESA radar user outside USAF. Maybe Israel, which use their own AESA radar.

Thanks for the correction.  The Chilean aircraft with its radar would detect the Su-30MK2 at what range exactly though? 120km?  Anyway, it was a good read even if broken due to translator.

Actually article give good info on F-16 radar. APG-68 (v9) detect MiG-29 and Su-30 at 140 km and Mirage-2000 at 90 km. Older APG-66 (v2) on older F-16MLU detect MiG-29 and Su-30 at 80 km and Mirage-2000 at 35 km. It seems that Peruvian MiG-29 and Mirage-2000 jets were also present there and it looks like Venezuelan Su-30MK2 have similar RCS as Peruvian Soviet made MiG-29 fighter considering that F-16 detect them at the same range.

sepheronx wrote:So theoretically, what range do you suspect BARS-R/M (whatever designation) would be able to track F-16's?  Roughly 200km?  Cause Irbis-E, the upgraded variant of the family, can detect it roughly 250 - 400km range  (I think roughly 350km 3M^2, cannot be precise).

This is extremely difficult to answer. Irbis could detect them at 400 km as it is very powerful radar with 20 kW peak power. Bars-M is limited with 5 kW peak power, so the range will be similar as with N001VEP, which have 6 kW peak power. But Bars-M radar transmitter EGSP-6A could have 7 kW peak power, so we could assume Bars-R work at 7 kW peak power and with that have longer range. There are some claims for Bars-M, most probably on Su-30MKI:

For aircraft N011M has a 350 km search range and a 200 km tracking range. The radar can track and engage 20 air targets and engage the 8 most threatening targets simultaneously. The forward hemisphere is ±90º in azimuth and ±55º in elevation. These targets can include cruise/ballistic missiles and even motionless helicopters. A MiG-21 for instance can be detected at a distance of up to 135 km. Design maximum search range for an F-16 target was 140-160km. A Bars' earlier variant, fitted with a five-kilowatt transmitter, proved to be capable of acquiring Su-27 fighters at a range of over 330 km. In comparison, the advanced Kopyo radar found in the latest MiG-21UPG can detect small drone targets at a range of 50 km.

Source: http://defence.pk/threads/mini-awacs-the-powerful-n011m-bars-hybrid-radar-system-su-30-mki.256937/#ixzz45FUyhkJ6

wow so many valuable inputs regarding radar capacity os su30mki so tyhis seems to be powerful enough to ward off threats to India from across the immediate borders