Gen Jolts works again, 3 New deal inked

Source TOI - Jolted into action after Gen Singh sounded the red alert over huge gaps in Indian Army readiness,the GOI has Inked 3 more deals:
>RS 26 crore contract for 1,568 Advance MP 9 submachine Gun for Ghatak SF with B&T Switzerland.

  











>Rs132 Cr deal PSU Bharat Electronics for 630 Hand held Thermal Imagers for Rastriya Rifles Special Counter terrorist force.

Binocular Thermal Imager Bebti-0503

>Rs 106Cr for Acquiring Laser Designator for the Special Forces with Alpha Design.  

IAF’s frontline Mirage-2000 back in action

SOURCE PTI AF’s frontline Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft, which were temporarily grounded following two crashes in February and March, have begun operational sorties following a detailed investigation of their systems and components.
“The Mirage-2000 aircraft are being progressively checked and cleared for flying one by one,” said the IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerard Galway on Friday. 
Sources said the aircraft were cleared for sorties few days ago following a thorough inspection of their systems.
The fleet was grounded for inspection for almost a month, they said. The IAF had temporarily grounded the entire fleet of Gwalior-based Mirage-2000 aircraft to carry out detailed investigation of their systems and components following two crashes within a span of 11 days in February and March.
Both the crashes took place within minutes of the aircraft taking off from its base on routine training sorties.
Pilots flying the trainer version of the aircraft had managed to bail out safely and escaped the crash with minor injuries. IAF has already set up a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to look into the reasons for the crash.
A team of engineers and technicians from French firm Dassault, which built these aircraft, had also arrived at Gwalior to assist the IAF personnel in the investigations.
The first crash took place on February 24 near Bhind in Madhya Pradesh soon after takeoff.
The second accident took place on March 5, 100 km south-west of Jaipur near a village in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan.
These aircraft were inducted into the IAF in the mid-80s and have proven their sound flight safety record.
The IAF has recently signed two deals worth over USD 3.2 billion for upgrading the capabilities of the Mirage 2000 with French companies Dassault, Thales and MBDA.

Much Awaited India’s Vikramaditya aircraft carrier prepares for sea trials

 Source India Today :Sea trials of India’s latest aircraft carrier will start “this summer”, with the work to involve the launch and recovery of fixed-wing aircraft from INS Vikramaditya.Although the Indian navy says it has received all 16 RSK MiG-29K/KUBs – 12 single-seat fighters and four two-seat trainers – from a 2004 order, the trials will be carried out using Russian aircraft flown by Russian pilots.
The aircraft used in the trials are likely to be a purpose-built MiG-29K and a MiG-35D twin-seat demonstrator. An Indian navy team will also be present during the tests.
The Vikramaditya, formerly the Soviet-era carrier Admiral Gorshkov, is located in the Sevmash dockyard in Russia’s northern city of Severodvinsk, where it has undergone major refurbishment to prepare it for the Indian navy. The service says the vessel could be transferred to India by the end of 2012.
No decision has yet been made as to the eventual retirement of India’s only currently operational aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat. The navy operates British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS51 fighters from the ship, which was originally launched as the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Hermes in 1953. The Viraatunderwent a major refit between August 2008 and November 2009, and the navy had previously said it planned for the carrier to serve until 2020.
India is also developing two domestic aircraft carriers. Although details of these are vague, the first will be equipped with a ski ramp for the launching of aircraft. The second, however, could be equipped with either steam catapults or an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, which could enable the navy to acquire and operate the Northrop Grumman E-2D airborne early warning and control system aircraft.

HQ Photos: INS Vikramaditya Almost Ready for Sea Trials

 

Much-awaited GSLV in Sept-Oct: Isro

SOURCE DHNS The much-awaited Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch with indigenous cryogenic stage engine will take place in Sept-Oct 2012, even as an experimental flight of its upgraded GSLV-Mark III version is also on the cards during this year.The fuel-booster turbo pump, that failed during the first launch of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stage in April 2010, has now been modified and a series of ground tests were on to soon enable its successor flight, Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Radhakrishnan said.
Addressing a news conference at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here after the successful launch of India’s RISAT-1, he said tests on GSLV’s flight stage preparations, including an endurance test of 1,000 seconds, testing of flight engines and a ground test in vacuum conditions of three stages of Isro’s next generation rocket to launch heavier communication satellites, have been going on to clear it for the big launch by October 2012.
While a huge Rs 300 crore vacuum conditions test facility has been put up at the Isro’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendragiri near Thiruvananthapuram, where all the GSLV’s pre-flight tests were going on, he said the vehicle will be ready for assembly after these tests were done. The earlier GSLVs had been launched with cryogenic engines from Russia.
Taking a volley of questions on a range of issues, Radhakrishnan said though India’s second moon mission — Chandrayaan-II scheduled for 2014 — was originally planned to be on the GSLV, the Isro wanted one more GSLV flight before that could be undertaken. “So, there will be two GSLV flights in a span of six months before the next moon mission,” he said.
Smooth going

Affirming that preparations for Chandrayaan-II were going on smoothly, he said discussions were on with the Russians on the site selection for the “Lander”. The trial movements of the “Rover” were also going on in Bangalore, he emphasised adding the Isro will be using only indigenous cryogenic stage engines for all the GSLV flights planned in the future.
As far as Thursday’s PSLV-C19-RISAT-1 mission was concerned, he said the satellite alone had cost the Isro Rs 378 crore to build, while the launch vehicle cost came to Rs 110 crore, taking its total cost to Rs 488 crore.
An atmospheric test for the GSLV-Mark-III upgraded version, sans the cryogenic stage, will also take place this year, said Radhakrishnan. “In fact during Jan-Feb 2012 we fully assembled a GSLV-Mark-III in Sriharikota and integrated it on our second launch pad and a series of tests were done followed by a detailed review by experts,” he disclosed.
The Isro had also changed its plans for the human spaceflight, he said. Instead of the human spaceflight happening on a GSLV flight, “we now want to do it on a GSLV-Mark-III,” he added. To a question on mega-tropiques, the unique meteorological satellite launched by the Isro in October last year, Radhakrishnan and the other scientists present at the press conference said it was working fine and would be extensively used for weather forecasting in the years to come.
Disclosing that the next communication satellite GSAT-10 was ready for launch, Radhakrishnan said it would be put into orbit by a French Ariane satellite in August 2012. It will add 30 transponders to our existing capacity.
This would be followed by GSAT-11 which will provide India with a larger transponder capacity of the order of 10 gigabits to enable DTH service too. In a few years, the Isro will go for even heavier communication satellites.
Devas deal

On the Devas-Antrix deal, Radhakrishnan ruled out any reopening of the contract that had been annulled last year. But he declined further comment as a legal process was pending in the Supreme Court.
Stating that Isro’s plan for a probe to Mars still awaited the Union Cabinet’s approval, Radhakrishnan said plan funds were utilised fruitfully by the space body. During the 11th Five Year Plan period, the Isro had utilised up to Rs 20,000 crore for 29 missions, compared to Rs 13,000 crore spent during the 10th Plan period for 20 missions.

India test-flies 1st naval version of LCA with beautiful Snaps

Indian MoD Statement: The indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas LCA Navy NP1 today made its maiden flight in Bangalore when Commodore JA Maolankar, Test Pilot and Wg Cdr Prabhu, Flight Test Engineer completed a 22 minutes flight.  During the flight the aircraft was put through various manoeuvers including low speed handling and even undertook a close formation flying at slow speed with another aircraft.

Earlier the LCA Navy NP1 had completed various intensive Ground testing regimen including Low Speed Taxi Trials (LSD), High Speed Taxi Trials (HSD), Ground Vibration Test (GVT), Structural Coupling Test (SCT) and extensive system integration tests with power plant using State-of-the-Art facilities at Bangalore HAL airport.

With this India has crossed a major milestone in Design, Development, Manufacturing and Testing of a “four plus” generation Carrier Borne Fly-by-Wire STOBAR aircraft.

LCA Navy aircraft is the first attempt in the country to provide a complete marine force multiplier that will give unique battle punch to the Naval Aviation Arm of the 21st Century to fulfil national dream of a blue water Navy. LCA Navy is the second STOBAR (Ski Take Off But Arrested Recovery) Carrier Borne aircraft in the world, after the Russian deck based aircraft. However, this will be the only Carrier borne Fighter aircraft in the Light category.

Along with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) who are the Principal Partners with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in association with more than 100 agencies ranging from users, DRDO, CEMILAC, DGAQA, CSIR, PSUs, Private Industrial Sector and academia, spread all over India including Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are involved in the Programme. The key responsibility of LCA Navy design, build, integration and testing is with various Divisions of HAL. ADE has played a lead role in Design and Development of the Integrated Flight Control System in unison with NAL, Bangalore for Testing and Integration of Flight Control Laws to ensure safe functionalities for various phases of flight. AMAGB has been designed and manufactured by CVRDE, Chennai up-to the certification level. NSTL, Visakhapatnam and RCI, Hyderabad has rendered critical support for shock testing of LRUs. Significant Private Industry partnership with ASL (DRDO), Hyderabad for high energy Carbon-Carbon brake pads, and CADES for LEVCON and stub wing design, as examples, has helped maturing of Private Sector of the country. This Project will give us self reliance capability in a true sense and also help in taking up more Naval Aircraft Projects in future. Productionisation of indigenously developed Hydraulic system and Fuel system Line Replacement Units (LRUs) have been assigned to GTTC, Bangalore (Government Tool Room and Training Centre) and CTTC (Centre Tool Room and Training Centre), Bhubaneswar respectively. Above all this, constant support, regular participation, keen observation and continuous guidance from CEMILAC and DGAQA have ensured stringent certification and quality requirements are met on the aircraft.

The Design of first indigenous Naval aircraft imposed huge technological challenges to the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to meet the peculiar requirements of Naval aircraft; starting from saline and humid environment of operation, restricted availability of deck run for launch and recovery and high operating load conditions. Basic design changes required to suit the carrier operations are strengthening of aircraft structure and Landing Gear, Arrester Hook, improved engine, enhanced aerodynamic performance and incorporation of special metal/material. A host of other systems like the Leading Edge Vortex Control (LEVCON) surface fitted at the front end of the aircraft wing operated by a concealed rotary actuator with aerodynamic profiling to ensure low landing speed, good controllability and better vision for the pilot. The feature of launch and recovery onboard Carrier at high sink rate of 7.1 rn/sec, flareless landing with engine to full throttle till arrested by deck cable impose five times of loading on Main Landing Gear as compared to the IAF version. Also such axial load calls for re-certification of all Line Replacement Units (LRUs), components and associated systems of naval version to ensure fail safe operation repeatedly.

ADA has set a world class Telemetry and Monitoring facility at the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) to enable conduct of flight test activities at Bangalore. Intuitive on-line monitoring and control of the aircraft are carried out by the Test Director and various System designers. To facilitate proving the aircraft for carrier borne applications, a Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) is being set up at the Naval Air Station, Goa replicating an aircraft carrier with a ski-jump for launch and arresting gear for deck recovery. Take off area is ready, with landing readiness scheduled for end of 2012. This test facility readiness is as per schedule.

The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma in a communication to the Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri, said, “… I express my appreciation and congratulations to all members of the ADA, HAL and DRDO teams for the first successful limited test flight of the LCA (Navy) aircraft… We must ensure that today’s accomplishment leads to the timely fructification of the operational requirements for carrier borne operations….”

 

Courtsey:Livefist and Photos / Sanjay Simha

Missile defence system ready for induction, reveals DRDO chief

SOURCE: EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE India’s missile defence system is ready for induction, V K Saraswat, chief of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), has said.A two-layer shield will be put over the national capital, Saraswat said. He confirmed that the system has already destroyed incoming missiles in four tests.
“We have identified the advanced air defence (AAD) missile and the PAD which has no acronym and is for exo-atmospheric interception (upwards of 30 km). The AAD is for endo-atmospheric interception. In two layers we intend to put it as part of the Delhi (air) defence,” Saraswat said in an interview to The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta for NDTV 24X7’s ‘Walk the Talk’ programme.
Saraswat said DRDO had used modified Prithvi missiles as simulated targets and demonstrated the capability of hitting missiles with the range of over 2,000 km. The Indian system is at par with the US Patriot 3 missile defence system, he said.
Asked when the system would be put in place over the capital, Saraswat said, “This system is now ready for induction.”
The nuclear capable Agni V missile which India tested successfully last week has “taken deterrence of the country to a high level”, Saraswat said. The missile will be ready for induction in two years, he said.
The DRDO chief described Agni V as a 5,000-km plus missile with a maximum range of 5,500-5,800 km.
He said there was no pressure at any time to understate the range.
“We have not understated the range. As a missile designer and a person also involved a lot in policy planning, (I can say) we as a nation don’t have to hide anything with respect to our capabilities,” Saraswat said.
China’s state-run Global Times had reported that India cut Agni V’s range from the original 9,000 km under NATO pressure. The daily also quoted a Chinese military researcher as saying the missile could actually hit targets 8,000 km away.
Saraswat said the Tatra trucks, which have become controversial following Army Chief Gen V K Singh’s bribery allegations, have been in use since 1986, and DRDO has never had a problem with them. He disclosed that India’s wheel mounted strategic defence too is based on Tatra systems. “For strategic deterrence, we have rail systems and we have wheel based systems. Whereever we have wheeled systems, it is Tatra,” Saraswat said.
He also revealed that DRDO is working on an improved Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) anti-tank ammunition, of which the Army faces a severe shortage. The scientist said the shortage of ammunition was because imports had not worked out for a higher grade of the system required after Kargil.