#VideoStoryAKM: Rustom-2, LRLACM, ITCM & more in this update on ADE's challenging missions in 2021

 

And, God gets a co-pilot in AVM Lamba

READ MY OBIT

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2020/12/30/and-god-gets-a-co-pilot-in-avm-ajit-lamba.html
 

HSTDV Story-3: In the next test, HSTDV will fly without upper stage fairings

 

Link Below

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/nation/2020/11/20/hstdv-upper-stage-fairings-fly-part-3.html

HSTDV Story-2: Despite the pandemic blow, missile scientists held on to the hypersonic dream

 

Link to article: 

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/nation/2020/11/19/hstdv-part-2-missile-scientists-hypersonic.html

HSTDV Story-1: Missile scientists encountered multiple challenges developing complex technologies

 

Link to the report here:
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/nation/2020/11/18/hstdv-hypersonic-missile-challenges-technology.html

India chapter of Society of Flight Test Engineers takes wing giving boost to military aviation

 

By Anantha Kirshnan M

Military aviation is set to get a boost when the India chapter of Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) will formally take-off with an inaugural virtual session scheduled on Saturday (August 29). What makes this event unique will be the participation of some of the best brains behind flight testing, a highly skilled art only a chosen few can execute. Saturday’s video-conferencing meet set to be attended by around 80 delegates across India will see Wg Cdr P K Raveendran (Retd), a top-notch flight test engineer (FTE) delivering the keynote address from Bengaluru, a test-bed for Indian’s military flying. Former Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Director Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar (Retd) will be the chief guest during the virtual event.

Read the full report, here: https://bit.ly/31CHkxn

With expected 83 Tejas MK1A orders, ARDC shapes India’s upgraded fighter

 

READ : https://bit.ly/2XyjBvS #Avgeeks 

 

Tarmak Talking with Air Marshal B Suresh who donned the military uniform at the age of 12

Tarmak Talking: Ex-MiG pilot Aditya needs your help to fly out of Covid clouds

Tarmak Talent Track: Listen to Aryan Joshi, a young 'gun-maker' from Kishangarh

Tarmak Talking | Gp Capt Ravi (Retd) on the challenges of operating on the Indo-China border

Trailer: Young Aryan Joshi is ready to fire!

Sky Story trailer: Tarmak Talking with Gp Capt T R Ravi (Retd)

Listen to the pilot who undertook IAF's first flight to North Pole on IL-76

How an IAF aviator & his team did first flight to North Pole on IL-76

 READ THE STORY HERE:  https://bit.ly/30Z2828

Desi Delight | BrahMos becomes first Indian missile to receive fleet release clearance (FRC)

Tejas Titans: Tarmak Talking with superheroes of HAL's LCA Division

#TarmakTalking

CAS INTERVIEW | We will expand operational utility of Tejas: Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria

By Anantha Krishnan M

These are interesting times for the IAF. The very nature of warfare is changing rapidly, and we now have to be simultaneously effective across multiple domains and levels of warfare extending from conventional to countering sub conventional threats. We have to not only embrace emerging fifth generation technologies/ capabilities but master the emergent technologies in cyber, networking and big data to be always ahead of our adversaries in capability and thought process. The Tejas has very good capabilities and as we gain experience we will continue to expand its operational utility in IAF plans. -- Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria in an interview to Onmanorama. 

Full interview, here:  https://bit.ly/2T1jBTa

Thanjavur set to host South India’s first Sukhoi Squadron

READ: https://bit.ly/2MYBD5k

Naval LCA at striking distance for deck operations from INS Vikramaditya

A combo of photos merged digitally show how it would look like when NLCA takes off from the deck of INS Vikramaditya.

By Anantha Krishnan M 

@Onmanorama

Bengaluru: The naval variant of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (NLCA) is at a striking distance from undertaking the much-awaited, maiden carrier landing and taking off on board INS Vikramaditya. The Indian Navy is currently studying all the data before giving the go-ahead to the team to undertake deck landing on the mighty aircraft carrier.
Two pilots from the Test team have flown close to 30-plus approaches to INS Vikramaditya during the recent campaign. The pilots flew very close over the ship deck. The approaches were to understand the characteristics and controllability of the aircraft.

Read full report, here:https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/nation/2019/12/30/naval-nca-striking-distance-deck-operations-ins-vikramaditya.html

Tejas SP-21, first from FOC block taking shape at HAL

Read:  https://bit.ly/2kLSQUI

First arrested-landing of Naval LCA successful

Read: bit.ly/2kg2HSe

G Santha Teacher Memorial Journalism Award for Vijay Karnataka’s Nanjundaswamy

By Team Billion Beats

Bengaluru, Sept 5: M Nanjundaswamy (27), a stringer with the Mysuru Bureau of popular Kannada daily Vijay Karnataka, has been selected for the 4th G Santha Teacher Memorial Journalism Award 2019. The award is instituted by Inspired Indian Foundation (IIF), a band of unassuming go-getters who find still greater fulfilment in celebrating the unsung heroes in our midst. 

The award will be presented on October 19, 2019 in Bengaluru, during the 4th Guru Kalam Memorial Lecture being organised by IIF in association with Abdul Kalam International Foundation (AKIF), Rameswaram. 

The award carries a hand-crafted memento, a certificate of appreciation and a Rs 21,000 cash component. This year onwards, IIF will support the awardee in undertaking special assignments that would further the cause of unsung heroes. The awardee will also be a special invitee to various initiatives of the Foundation for the next year. 

Rekha Satheesh, a Senior Chief Sub-Editor with The New Indian Express, Kochi, was the first recipient of the award in 2016, while Rajeev Kumar Mishra, a Chief Sub-Editor with the Bengaluru edition of Rajasthan Patrika, won the honour in 2017. The award went to Jugal Purohit, a Senior Broadcast Journalist with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) India, in 2018. 

This year, the jury included top aerospace and defence scientists, besides writers and teachers, in addition to the trustees of IIF. Nanjundaswamy was chosen from a list of four shortlisted journalists from across India who have been writing on a whole host of issues. 

The award has been instituted in the memory of G Shantha, an English teacher hailing from Thalavadi in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. Born in 1942, she dedicated her career to instilling in her young wards an unshakeable belief to chase their dreams wherever she taught, including at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and Devasvom Board College, Thalayolaparambu, Kerala, and Mahatma High School for Girls, Chennithala, Kerala. She passed away in 2007 at the age of 65. In addition to her services as a teacher, she worked selflessly to promote the English language among rural kids. She also found time to write short stories and poetry, without ever craving for the limelight. 

Humble beginnings: Nanjundaswamy was left with a deformed left hand owing to the misfortune of delayed childbirth. However, this did not deter him from pursuing his dream to become a journalist. Born to farmer couple Madashetty and Bhagyamma in Belathur, a remote village in Chamarajanagar near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, Nanjundaswamy has been working as a stringer with Vijay Karnataka for the last two and a half years. 

Having completed his primary and pre-university education from the Mahadeshwara Math institutes in Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Chamarajanagar, Nanjundaswamy and his family shifted to Mysuru in order to ensure he had access to quality education. While his father took up masonry work in Mysuru, his mother used to work as a house help to make ends meet. His elder brother Umesh works as a crop surveyor. 

After the family moved lock, stock and barrel to Mysuru, Nanjundaswamy enrolled at Maharajas College to pursue his BA in Journalism. Stirred by the decisive role the media plays, Nanjundaswamy enrolled at the University of Mysore for his Masters in Communication and Journalism. After completing his masters, he joined Vijay Karnataka. 

Nanjundaswamy has been reporting on civic issues, art and culture, science and technology, besides shining a light on the achievements of people with special needs. 

A vigilant journalist: Editors at Vijay Karnataka laud Nanjundaswamy as a hardworking journalist with an unwavering focus on the larger interests of society and an unflinching commitment to the core journalistic values. 

“We are aware of his humble background. Being a quick learner, he has filed many good stories in a short period since joining us. He is always around to pick up any assignments,” says one of his Editors. 

His series of reports on the crisis caused due to the dumping of garbage at Old Kesare area, on the outskirts of Mysuru, was well-received. 

“The series made an impact, forcing the government officials to look at alternatives to address the issue. His enthusiasm to get new stories and learn new things makes him a different boy from others,” says another Editor. 

They say Nanjundaswamy never sought any concessions on account of his physical limitations and is always ready to pick up assignments in far-flung areas, often proceeding on foot to remote locations without a second thought. 

Clear winner: Dr Kota Harinarayana, top aerospace scientist and Mentor of IIF, says Nanjundaswamy’s grit and determination despite the many adversities in his life is worth emulating. 

“I can relate to his struggle after studying his background and the career growth of this boy. This year, we wanted to look at promising, young journalists whose choice could inspire generations of budding writers. Glad we homed in on the right choice in Nanjundaswamy finally,” says Dr Kota. 

IIF began the process of shortlisting the nominees in November last year and, once the final list of candidates was drawn up, a confidential report from their respective Editors was sought, to rate them according to various performance parameters. 

“Journalism is a very demanding profession and rarely do we find success stories of those with special needs from the news room. This recognition to Nanjundaswamy, a stringer with Vijay Karnataka, should encourage many others. We were keen that with every award we would want to open doors that were never looked at,” says Sindhu A, Founder Trustee of IIF. 

Rural pulse: Reacting to his selection for the award, Nanjundaswamy said that reporting about the success stories of people belonging to economically weaker sections and the differently-abled gave him immense satisfaction. 

“I write about such individuals as I wish to encourage them to scale greater heights. This honour has come very early in my career and probably is a reminder to me about the responsibilities I have as a journalist,” says Nanjundaswamy. 

The young journalist has set out the goal of doing more stories from rural areas and villages. “They are neglected and mired in problems and I wish to write about their issues often. I know their pulse as I am one among them,” he adds. 

Nanjundaswamy’s interests range from numismatics to philately and theatre and he has featured in stage performances with the Nirantara troupe. His musical inclinations have seen him join Carnatic classes as well. 

(Video: https://bit.ly/2lzCfmS ) 

(Nanjundaswamy can be reached at mnanjundaswamy1@gmail.com.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mnanjundaswamy1)

Future technologies must be propelled by power of today’s youth: DRDO

Read the report, here: bit.ly/2Z3pv69

Tejas fuel tank falls in a field near Coimbatore

Read here: https://bit.ly/2JkoyQX

Kargil @20: Great sight watching LGB hitting enemy posts over Tiger Hill, says Air Marshal Nambiar

Read: bit.ly/2ZKCaLX

DRDO pins hopes on target drone Abhyas

Read: https://bit.ly/2Y11htE

Tarmak Talking: HEAT Abhyas

Homegrown BEL system to ring death knell for rogue drones

Rogue unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could find its nemesis in homegrown Drone Guard System (DGS) being developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). The DGS was first unveiled during the DefExpo held in Chennai in 2018 and later during Aero India held in Bengaluru 2019. Speaking to Onmanorama on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Annual BEL press conference here, Mahesh V, Director (Research and Development) said any intruding drones could be brought down with the help of DGS. ( Full report, here: https://bit.ly/311a0Oj ) 

Successful BrahMos test gives IAF big strategic boost in Indian Ocean Region

By Anantha Krishnan M 

Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday successfully test-fired the BrahMos air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) from its frontline striker Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI). 

This was the second test-firing of the BrahMos ALCM from Sukhoi, the first being held on November 22, 2017 against a sea target. The AIF thereby became the first air force in the world to have successfully fired an air-launched 2.8 Mach surface attack missile of this category on a sea target. 

Full report: bit.ly/2X06oK3

Boost to desi missions as Air Marshal Bhadauria takes charge as Vice Chief

By Anantha Krishnan M

India’s new Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took command at Air Headquarters on May 1.

Fondly known as ‘Chottu Sir’ among aviators and friends, Air Marshal Bhadauria is the man who played a significant role during the development and induction phases of Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.

In fact, the No 45 Squadron Flying Daggers, operating the Tejas would not have found its permanent home at Air Force Station Sulur as per the script, but for the push given by the VCAS, while he was heading Southern Air Command at Thiruvananthapuram.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) top brass is said to have been convinced by the logic put forth by Air Marshal Bhadauria to push the Flying Daggers from Bengaluru to Sulur ahead of the schedule.

Full report here:  https://bit.ly/2VFo0NI

Tarmak Talking with Nirbhay Missile Team | Part-1

Dear Tarmak folks!

Greetings! Here's the 7th edition of #TarmakTalking and we bring to you Team Nirbhay in a 2-part series. In this first part, we have two top scientists part of India's subsonic cruise missile development programme taking our questions. For the first time, we have incorporated questions from Tarmak followers in the final script. #TarmakTalking is brought to you by Inspired Indian Foundation®. (www.inspiredindianfoudation.org) and it is produced with the help of a few well-wishers who support India's Aerospace and Defence programme. Please do leave your feedback after watching this high-quality production. You could also write to anantha.ak@gmail.com or ak@billionbeats.

Sit back and enjoy #TarmakTalking! Thank You for being part of our inspiring missions. Part-2 will be released soon.

Jai Hind! 

Dr Anantha Krishnan M

+91 78997 78888 (WhatsApp)

The story, so far...
#TarmakTalking-6: https://bit.ly/2J1XCab
#TarmakTalking-5: https://bit.ly/2Gtig2p
#TarmakTalking-4: http://bit.do/TarmakTalking-Raj-Naray...
#TarmakTalking-3: http://bit.do/TarmakTalking-S-R-K-Nair
#TarmakTalking-2: http://bit.do/TarmakTalking-Dr-Kota
#TarmakTalking-1: http://bit.do/TarmakTalking-Team-Tejas

Teaser of Tarmak Talking with Team Nirbhay

Nirbhay missile cruises at 5-m altitude for nearly 10 min

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) continued with its successful run of missions this year, when it conducted a ‘text-book precision’ launch of home-grown subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay, today. DRDO confirmed that the missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha at 11:39 am.  This was the sixth launch of Nirbhay (NGL-06) and was aimed at testing the reliability of ‘boost phase’ and ‘cruise phase’ using way point navigation at very low altitudes.

The Bengaluru-bred missile took off vertically, then turned horizontally into the desired direction separating its booster, following which the wings were deployed enabling it an engine start and cruise towards its intended way points. “It was an excellent launch. This is the first time ever an indigenously-developed missile cruised at 5-metere altitude,” an official confirmed to Onmanorama. During today’s mission, the missile covered way points as low as 5 meter to maximum of 2.5 kilometres.

Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2KH38la

Under wraps for 31 months, DRDO’s top secret A-SAT mission codenamed ‘Project XSV-1’

India’s anti-satellite (A-SAT) mission was a top secret one, kept under wraps for nearly 31 months to be precise. Only a handful of scientists knew about it, which was codenamed ‘Project XSV-1.’ For the rest of team, it was another BMD (Ballistic Missile Defence) campaign, with some upgrades. None knew that a space strike or a ‘kinetic kill’ was in the offing! The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials were told to maintain ‘top secrecy’ about the project soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the go-ahead sometime in 2016. There were only six core members who knew what ‘Project XSV-1’ was all about. (The ‘SV’ apparently meant Shakti Vehicle and ‘1’ stood for the first mission.)

Read the story, here: https://bit.ly/2U48Ph0

(Posted by Team Billion Beats)

Mission Shakti: DRDO’s A-SAT missile hit Microsat-R in 168 secs!

Read the story, here: https://bit.ly/2OtGAT6

(Posted by Team Billion Beats)

Tejas flies on L&T wings as HAL completes production of last IOC fighter

By Anantha Krishnan M

The last Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 fighter from the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) block has flown out of the hangars of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

And most significantly, it (SP-16; SP stands for Series Production) flew on the wings made by Larson & Tourbo (L&T). This is a major step in HAL’s efforts to outsource Tejas parts to the private industries, in line with the Make in India mandate.

The Flying Daggers are expected to have the full quota of 16 IOC Tejas Mk1 fighters within a month. 

The front fuselage of SP-21 is in the advance stages with the mid-air refuelling probe requirement installed on it. The central fuselage too is in an advance stage and all the three fuselages are expected to be ready by end of April this year.

HAL now says SP-21 will roll out by the end of this year. The entire 16 FOC fighters will be delivered to IAF during 2019-2021 – which again accounts for eight aircraft per year.

Read full report, here: https://bit.ly/2Wn57vG

Next-gen desi anti-radiation missile set for trials with passive seeker

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru: India’s maiden attempt to develop a New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM) has finally picked up momentum. The scientists with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are warming up to undertake the pending trials of this state-of-the-art missile without further delays. Its user -- the Indian Air Force (IAF) -- feels that the DRDO must fast-track the project.

The missile will now be heading for a series of carriage and release flight trials. The carriage flight trials will be conducted to evaluate the performance of seekers against a wide range of targets. Subsequently, release flight missions will be planned to demonstrate the mid-course guidance and terminal guidance using seekers. 

Scientists tracking NGARM flightpath confirm that the next flight will be a ‘seeker performance evaluation’ one. A desi passive seeker will be onboard the missile during the next trial, while the test after that will have an active seeker as well. 

Trials of NGARM with both seekers together should be in July or August this year. 

Plans are also afoot to develop future variants of NGARM. It would mean upgrades with higher versions of software with the capability to handle larger variety of targets under various operational scenarios.

Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2Ok12ph

Encounters with Manohar Parrikar who chose to remain as a human being

READ: https://bit.ly/2TWcZGZ 

Tarmak Talking with FDD Team of Aero India 2019

Meet IAF top guns who choreographed aerial ballet

By Anantha Krishnan M
(Pix: Ishan Gore) 

The American F-16 Fighting Falcons were the last planes to fly out of Air Force Station Yelahanka on February 28, exactly four days after the curtains were drawn on an unforgettable Plane Carnival in India’s Aviation Capital, Bengaluru. 

In fact, when the border skirmishes between India and Pakistan reached a crescendo with Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman downing an intruding Pakistani F-16, back at AFS Yelahanka the US fighters probably from a different block, were ready to bid goodbye to Indian soil, sans any attention. The Rafales, A400M and C-17 too were among the flying machines that had late check-outs from the base. 

Onmanorma was cleared to interact with a bunch of highly-skilled pilots and Test Pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF), who were hand-picked to ‘police the planes’ during the sky ballet at the show. Far away from the media glare and any spotlight whatsoever, the Flight Display Director’s (FDD) team, was among the many unsung teams which toiled hard behind the show. 

Group Captain Badhrish N Athreya, nicknamed Bads, was the Flight Display Director for Aero India 2019. A Chief Test Pilot with Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), this Bangalorean is a fighter pilot from the MiG-29 Fulcrums, a Pilot Attack Instructor (PAI), a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and of course an Experimental Test Pilot (ETP). He has flown more than 3,200 hours on 25 different types of aircraft. His team members were: 

* Wing Commander B S Reddy (Reddy Garu), a Sukhoi pilot, a Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) and a Test Pilot with more than 2,500 hours of flying on 20+ types of aircraft. 

* Squadron Leader P K Thakur (PKT) a Himachali, and Sqn Ldr A Subramanian (Subbu) a Bangalorean — both Sukhoi pilots and QFIs — with 2,000+ hours of flying on 20+ types of aircraft, each. 

* Wing Commander Tripathi (Trips), a Qualified Navigation Instructor from ASTE who has flown more than 5,000 hours was the administrative coordinator of the FDD. 

* Group Captain Ramji Yadov (Ramjet), another Fulcrum pilot belonging to Chennai and an ex-Surya Kiran pilot himself, was the HQ Training Command representative. 

Assisting the FDD team with enthralling commentary were Wg Cdr Paramjeet Singh (PJ), a navigator with 8,000+ hours of flying. He was assisted by Squadron Leaders Arpita Mukherjee, Sonia and Zuffila all women officers of the IAF, well experienced in doing commentary at various air shows of the IAF. 

And, PJ could take off at very short notice, if you were on his strike zone, with a request to sing a Hindi song! 

Read the full story, here: bit.ly/2Hgntv9

Watch #TarmakTalking, here:   https://bit.ly/2HoagiY

Finally, FOC for Tejas

Report here: https://bit.ly/2Vb8eq5

AMCA, India’s stealth fighter picks up momentum

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bengaluru: The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project of India has gone deep into the detail design phase now. Along with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), hundreds of scientists spread across at least 20 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs are now engrossed in critical work to find solutions to a number of gen-next technologies that need to be proven.

With the Project Definition Phase (PDP) getting over in 2017, Onmanorama can confirm that scientists have already walked some distance designing the AMCA, India’s stealth fighter.

ADA, the designers of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is spearheading the AMCA mission. 

The AMCA will be propelled by a GE-414 engine with a thrust of 90 kN and this will be an interim step by the makers till a higher thrust engine of 110 kN is finalised. The GE-414, set to power Tejas Mk-II, will power AMCA as well, till India develops a 110 kN engine possibly in collaboration with a foreign partner. 

The current plan is to fly AMCA with GE-414 engine for the first six-seven years, what the designers now term as an ‘interim engine’ for India’s 5th generation stealth platform.

While the design phase has already been sanctioned to commence activities, the final approval for AMCA from the government (Cabinet Committee of Security) is in process.

The plan is to build four prototypes and fly the first one before 2025, which is seven years from now.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is said to be working out the exact numbers for this future fighter, while the AMCA Directorate at ADA is ensuring a robust foundation for this big ticket desi project.

Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2GR8Fly

LCH packs a punch with induction at striking distance

By Anantha Krishnan M 

Bengaluru: The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is at striking distance from being inducted into the Services. The designers and test crew at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (LTD) vouch for the chopper’s might with four prototypes having completed the pre-induction trials as mandated by the users – the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army. 

During a recent visit to the Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWRDC) of HAL, Onmanorama was briefed by the officials about the future flightpath of the combat chopper programme. 

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had cleared the proposal to induct initial batch of 15 LCHs. Notwithstanding the final orders to formally come, HAL had gone ahead and began the process of manufacturing the limited series production (LSP) platforms. 

Of the 15 LSPs, 10 are for the IAF and the remaining five for the Indian Army. There’s an additional projection of 65 LCHs for the IAF and 97 for the Indian Army. The LSP of LCHs was launched in August 2017 by Arun Jaitley, when he was holding the additional portfolio of Defence. 

Post completion of all trials, HAL officials now say that they are confident of LCH becoming one of the most resourceful and potent chopper for high-altitude missions. The programme has already got the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC). 

The officials said that during firing trials, the chopper performed excellently meeting accuracy requirements. 

“This is the first attack helicopter with us which has aerial combat capabilities. A moving UAV can be taken on easily with an air-to-air missile or with the front gun. This was a capability gap the Services had and LCH will fill it now,” an official said. 

Seven LSP platforms are at various stages of manufacturing at the assembly hangars of HAL now.

Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2SQqHL9