Testing Futuristic Jets by 2015

TIMES OF INDIA

AUGUST 8, 2008

[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_may_test_futuristic_jets_by_2015/articleshow/3339596.cms]

NEW DELHI: India hopes that the first developmental flight of the stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), to be co-developed with Russia, will take place by 2015-2016.

The FGFA, as envisaged by IAF to fulfil its futuristic requirements, will have a lethal mix of super-manoeuvrability and supersonic cruising ability, long-range strike and high-endurance air defence capabilities. Apart from a ‘‘minimal’’ radar tracking signature to impart stealth, the FGFA will have ‘‘a very high degree of network centricity’’, as also multi-spectral reconnaissance and surveillance systems — optical, infra-red, laser and radar sensors.

‘‘The FGFA should fly for the first time by 2015 or so. If it manages to do so earlier, then it will be a big achievement. Negotiations with Russia are making good progress, with the details being worked out,’’ IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major told TOI on Thursday.

‘‘It is very complex to design and develop an FGFA. The FGFA we want will be an entirely new platform, with many additional features, stealth being an important one,’’ he added. The ongoing negotiations with Russia flow from the FGFA agreement signed during the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission on military-technical cooperation meeting, co-chaired by defence minister A K Antony and his Russian counterpart, last October.

The bone of contention is that Russia has already frozen the design parameters of its FGFA, the single-seater Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA, the first prototype of which is likely to take to the skies by 2009.

India, however, wants a twin-seater FGFA built to its requirements, which will obviously require several design changes. With the FGFA project expected to cost $8-10 billion, a cash-starved Russia is agreeable to the idea of having both single and twin-seater versions. ‘‘The various issues are being sorted out,’’ said an official.

There is only one operational FGFA in the world at present, the American F/A-22 ‘Raptor’, which comes at a whopping $142 million apiece. Another, the F-35 ‘Lightning-II’, in turn, is still under joint development by US, UK and seven other countries.

The most potent fighter in the IAF fleet currently is the Sukhoi-30MKI, which can be placed a little over fourth-generation, along with others like Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen and F/A-18 ‘Super Hornets’. While fourth-generation fighters typically revolve around multi-role capabilities, FGFA takes it forward by incorporating stealth technology, composite materials, supercruise, thrust-vectoring and integrated avionics as well.

Since it will take well over a decade for an Indo-Russian FGFA to become fully-operational, IAF is banking upon the 230 Sukhoi-30MKIs contracted from Russia at an overall cost of around $8.5 billion. Then, of course, there is also the mammoth $10.4 billion project to induct 126 new multi-role combat aircraft in IAF from 2012-2013 onwards.

Raytheon To Transfer AESA Tech To India

INDIA DEFENCE

JUNE 5 2008

[http://www.india-defence.com/reports/3826]

American space and airborne systems company, Raytheon, has said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will get access to cutting-edge radar technology in the form of the AESA radar, up to the level permitted by the US government, should it decide to opt for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet under its global tender for 126 medium-range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) tender.

“We are willing to support Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology transfer up to the level the US government allows us,” said Dave Goold from Raytheon’s F-18 business development, Tactical Airborne Systems.

“The technology transfer, though likely to be limited, would meet the requirements of the IAF. Our proposal will be compliant with the request for proposal (RFP) issued by the IAF for the 126 combat aircraft,” he said.

The AESA radar lends an edge to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet by increasing its air-to-air detection and tracking range, apart from enhancing its air-to-ground targeting capabilities. So far, the US government has allowed transfer of the cutting-edge AESA radar technology only to Australia.

Raytheon is a systems supplier for the Super Hornet Boeing’s F-18 multi-role ground fighter which is one of the six contenders for the IAF’s MMRCA contract along with Lockheed’s F-16, Russia’s MiG-35, the French Dassault’s Rafale, the Swedish Saab Gripen JAS-39 and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

According to Boeing Integrated Defence System (IDS) representative, John Salas, the company has plans to sell the anti-ship missile, Harpoon, as well as a long-range precision missile to India. Both the systems, he said, could be integrated with the F/A-18E/F fighters.

ISRO Ties up With Brahmos Aerospace unit

SOURCE: BUSINESS WEEK

[http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10]

JUNE 18, 2008

The BrahMos Aerospace unit here has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for taking up engineering and integration of the space agency’s launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV.

The Rs 25-crore pact involves work on ISRO’s tankages, special aluminium work and all titanium work, a senior BrahMos official said here today.

The Brahmos facility will also take up space-tech related infrastructure work for ISRO’s future missions.

Brahmos Aerospace established its unit here early this year by taking over the state-owned Kerala High-tech Industries Ltd (KELTEC).

Even when it was a state-run facility, the unit used to supply some components and sub-assemblies to the ISRO as well as other central scientific and defence agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Radar Mounted LCA this year

THE TIMES OF INDIA (June 1, 2008) [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Radar-fitted_Tejas_this_year/articleshow/3089649.cms]

NAGPUR: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is producing the indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, will soon be coming with a new radar-fitted version of this fighter aircraft.

Currently in the production stage, the radar-fitted Tejas is expected to roll out this year itself, say sources. So far, the HAL has developed five prototypes and two technology demonstrators of the aircraft. This is now being followed by the limited series production (LSP). A prototype is similar to a laboratory version while and LSP comes straight from the production lines in the factory. Making LSPs is the next stage in aircraft production.

At present, the first under the LSP series, LSP-1, has already rolled out and LSP-2 is expected to be flying within less than a month. LSP-3 is expected to come out within this year and would be fitted with the radar mechanism. The radar will help in making precise hits.

“With a radar, the pilot can identify the target with more accuracy and also determine the range before it hits. Moreover, the present aircraft have already been fitted with laser-powered pods (LDPs) to drop bombs with accuracy,” said a source. This makes it among one of the best aircraft of its kind in the world, added the source.

Tejas, which is being built jointly by HAL and Aeronautics Development Agency – an arm of the defence research and development organisation (DRDO) – is in Nagpur since two days. The prototype aircraft, PV-3, was flown from Bangalore on Thursday while the PV-2 was flown on Saturday.

The prototypes are undergoing various tests before aircraft of the final make is inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). This will be followed by tests on LSPs, after which Tejas will get the much awaited initial operational clearance (IOC) followed by a final operational clearance. Once the configuration is finalised, regular production would begin.

There are plans to make eight aircraft in the LSP series which will also undergo certain tests too, and the final version to be used by the IAF will be based on the LSPs. Tejas is expected to be inducted into the IAF by 2010.

LCA Hot Weather Tial Succesful

THE HINDU (MAY 30, 2008) [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200805301321.htm]

Nagpur (PTI): The much-awaited hot weather trial phase of prestigious Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme went off successful between Bangalore and Nagpur, defence sources said on Friday.

The progarmme got underway on Thursday with a flawless ferry flight of prototype vehicle-3(PV-3) and this was the first operation ferry flight of Tejas with external drop tanks which are intended to enhance the range/radius of action of aircraft, a defence release said.

In the event, the fuel system functioned perfectly, paving the way for more such long range ferry flight and out station trials. The LCA was ferried from Bangalore to Nagpur in about an hour’s flying time and reached the destination with more than adequate fuel.

Over the next one week, the aircraft would be subjected to hot soaks on the ground followed by representative flight profiles at low and medium attitudes to check proper functioning of all on board systems under conditions of extreme heat which prevails in Nagpur.

The successful completion of these trials would thus mark a significant step towards attainment of all important initials operational clearence(IOC)and subsequent induction into the squadron service with the Indian Air Force, the release added.

ISRO Sets world record

“India’s PSLV-C9 has successfully injected ten satellites into orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), set up 35 years ago, may be a baby among the world’s space faring nations. But, it is competing with the other biggies to set world records.

And the mission, which has given ISRO an edge over other competitors, is the launch of India’s latest Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The launch vehicle took off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and has launched 10 satellites – a feat which has created a world record.

PSLV weighs 230 tons – the weight of almost 50 elephants – and is as high as a 12-storey building………”

Read More

DRDO recruitment

F-16IN: Lockheed Martin Brochure

Information from Lockheed Martin Corp. from the most advanced F-16 yet to India, F16-IN

Brochure: F-16 India (F16IN)

DRDO shuts down missile program

Recently DRDO announced that they are to shut down India’s missile program. I personally think this a horrible decision. Indian military has an enormous need for modernization and the countries only hope was DRDO. While our rival neighbor Pakistan’s missile defense is prospering and on the other hand China is achieving their military modernization by any means our prestigious missile program is being shelved?!

We know of their achievements and praise it but fails to realize the quality of their achievement. Previously developed Agni I and II showed not very good results compared to the western counterparts. DRDO only looked at their prime rivals and competed with them instead of competing with the necessary countries with advanced missile programs.

Read the article How DRDO failed the Indian military published in Rediff.

It looks like India is eyeing America for its missile technology: click

F-16IN: The best F16 yet for India

TIMES OF INDIA (Jan 17 2008)

A mistake covered up may cost the lives of a brave crew.” The message, displayed on a huge board at the assembly line of the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s plant at Marietta, Georgia, stares at workers all the time, reminding them of the enormous responsibility on their shoulders.

The message could also become a marketing slogan for the leading US defence manufacturer as it looks forward to sealing a deal with India for supply of six of these military transportation planes and makes a pitch, with its upgraded F-16 fighter planes, for India’s biggest defence contract in two decades.

The contract for the supply of 126 medium multirole combat aircraft is estimated to be worth $14 billion, or Rs 55,000 crore. The Hercules deal, awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, would be the first direct military sale by a US company to India.

“The F-16 Fighting Falcon being offered to India has unique safety features that recover the aircraft — and save the pilot — even if the plane runs out of control,” Lockheed Martin executives told a group of Indian reporters at the F-16 production facility at Fort Worth in Texas. As the Indian Air Force grapples with an aging fleet, which has come to be known as flying coffins, the F-16’s safety features could be a USP, the executives said.

In fact, the company already has a name for the customized aircraft it intends to sell to India — F-16IN. It is also inclined to set up an assembly line in India in collaboration with Indian partners. The aircraft’s latest features, none of which are available in the version Pakistan has, include AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars, electronic warfare suites and infrared searching.

AESA gives the plane the capability to simultaneously track and destroy ground and air threats. Although supercruising, or cruising at supersonic speeds, is not being touted as one of the features of the new F-16, pilots flying the latest version say they often supercruise.

“The F-16IN is the most advanced F-16 ever,” said Chuck Artymovich, the company’s director, business development. Many in India might think Americans are fully absorbed in the Hillary, Obama or Romney campaigns but for Artymovich and his team, it’s a season of a full-time “India campaign”. Will the campaign lose momentum if the Indo-US nuclear deal falls through? Richard Kirkland, Lockheed Martin’s South Asia president, insists it won’t. “It has already got the backing of the US government and a go-ahead from the US Congress,” he says. Many in India, however, may not agree with him as they would not like to take a favourable US foreign policy for granted.

Lockheed Martin hopes to give a detailed proposal soon to the US government on the features and price of the F-16s on offer to India. The US government, in turn, will make a proposal to the Indian government offering F-16s and F-18s.
Incidentally, the F-18 Super Hornet, built by Boeing, is not to be mistaken for an upgraded version of the F-16. The Super Hornet is a supersonic carrier-based fighter aircraft and currently its only user is the US navy. The other aircraft competing for the Indian Air Force’s contract are the Russian MiG-35, the French Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon being offered by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers and Swedish company Saab’s Gripen.

Why is Lockheed Martin not offering its new fifth-generation fighter aircraft F-35 to India? Company executives give three reasons: such an offer can be made only by the US government, manufacturing capability for the F-35 is still not adequate to meet the timeframe set by India, and the upgraded F-16 meets all the requirements put forward by the Indian government.

The F-35 Lightning II, yet to be officially rolled out, is a multirole stealth-capable strike fighter. It can
perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air combat.

In fact, the US air force is not going to acquire any more F-16s. Mass production of the F-35 is likely to begin by 2016, when it will start rolling out at the rate of one aircraft a day. “The F-35 is the fighter of the future,” company officials said, insisting that if India acquires the F-16 today, the F-35 would be its natural successor in future.

Meanwhile, the “India campaign” rolls on with even Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi being roped in. Lockheed martin executives have dug up a forgotten piece of history to emphasize the ties between the two countries. Thirty-five years ago, during the Chinese aggression, Prime Minister Nehru called up President Kennedy, who sent a fleet of Hercules aircraft to India. These aircraft stayed in India for nine months and carried troops and cargo to inaccessible areas in the Himalayas. The Herck also had two distinguished passengers — Nehru and daughter Indira.