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.