LCA NP1 all set for ski-jump trials at SBTF Goa | NP-2 likely to have first flight soon

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake 

Bengaluru, Dec 8: Scripting a new chapter in India’s naval aviation history, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Prototype-1 (NP-1) is all set to undertake critical trials at INS Hansa in Goa for the first time. Sources confirm to OneIndia that the NP-1 undertook ‘extensive pre-requisite flying’ at HAL Airport in Bengaluru ahead of its expected ferry to Goa soon. 

“The aircraft is in a good shape now. In the last two weeks alone, we did five flights. Specified speed, Mach No, altitude, Angle of Attack, undercarriage operations and ground accelerations all have been tested and found satisfactory,” an official said. 

The NP-1 (trainer variant) was rolled out with great fanfare on July 6, 2010 and the aircraft had its maiden flight on April 27, 2012. As on December 6, 2014, the platform could only achieve 29 flights. 

NP-1 to perform a challenging task at SBTF: An advance team of experts have already landed at Goa ahead of the NP-1 campaign at INS Hansa. “Modifications on the NP-1 have already done for the ski-jump activities. Ski-jump is a technologically-challenging task achieved by India. Only very few countries (US and Ukraine among known nations) can boast of a facility like SBTF,” the official said. 

The SBTF is currently regularly used by the MiG 29Ks, before their operations onboard INS Vikramaditya. “The MiG 29Ks have been undertaking ski-jump and arrester hook landing for some time now. The LCA Navy will be doing only ski-jumps now. We will have two-week preparation time ahead of the first mission,” the official added. 

The NP-1 will be ferried (flown from point to point) from HAL Airport and it would cover the distance to Goa within an hour. It will be first a home-grown naval aviation platform will to land at INS Hansa. Commodore T A Maolankar from the National Flight Test Centre is expected to pilot NP-1 during Goa mission. 

he Navy is expected to give an official name for the LCA Navy soon as they were not keen to go with Tejas. It was former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee who named the IAF variant as Tejas. The ADA-HAL-Navy teams plans to invite PM Narendra Modi for the naming ceremony in future. 

The trials at the SBTF are crucial as it would give the team confidence to undertake further trials on NP-1. A second prototype (NP-2, fighter variant) is also getting ready at the HAL hangars, which is expected to have its maiden flight before the end of this year. 

Largest R&D programme in India: The LCA programme has become the largest R&D programme India has undertaken in the military aviation/ aerospace arena. Each LCA costs around Rs 250 crore, while the GSLV is pegged at Rs 220 crore, PSLV Rs 80-100 crore and Agni Rs 50 crore. 

“Though the aircraft is dogged with some problems right now, few local sorties have set the stage for the ferry. Joining NP-1 will be PV6 trainer and probably LSP7 from the Tejas flightline. The latter two may further proceed to Leh. In parallel, the HJT-36 (Intermediate Jet Trainer) is also scheduling sea level trials and asymmetric stores jettison exercises at Goa,” an official said. 

SBTF is a tech marvel: The SBTF replicates a static model of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) being built at the Cochin Shipyard. The SBTF has 14 deg parabolic profile ski-jump for take-off and an arresting gear for landing. The main objective of SBTF is for the certification of naval LCA for ship-borne operations, which is a mandatory requirement ahead of the aircraft’s operations onboard IAC for the carrier compatibility test (CCT). 

The SBTF is equipped with restraining gear system with ski-jump for take-off and an arresting gear system for landing. It also uses an optical landing system, TV landing control system, light signaling system and a series of auxiliary units, akin to the IAC. 

The story so far dogged in delays: Similar to its elder sibling Tejas, the Indian Air Force (IAF) variant of LCA, the NP-1 too got embroiled in serious developmental issues, delaying the project. In the past, its designers at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and makers at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) had to deal with nagging issues linked to the arrestor hook, landing gear and LEVCONs (control surfaces which allow for better low-speed handling). 

In an interview to OneIndia recently, Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan had expressed concern over the delay in LCA naval programme. “It’s an important programme for us and we have the IAC (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) in Kochi getting ready and the SBTF waiting for LCA Navy. It’s important that the programme is speeded up,” the navy chief had said. 

Naval sources say that the Navy Chief is expected to review the progress of the project in Delhi on December 8. “The Chief will also be briefed about the scheduled events that are expected to be undertaken at SBTF,” a naval official said. 

Copyright@OneIndia

Arihant’s maiden sea sortie shortly; stringent safety audits to curb accidents: Admiral Dhowan

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Ezhimala (Kerala), Dec 1: The Indian Navy’s future cruise will be guided by a perspective plan mapped to perfection after taking into account factors like threat perception, technological needs, likely environment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and India’s state as a maritime nation.

In an exclusive interview to OneIndia, ahead of the Navy Day on December 4, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan said that the Indian Navy’s structured phase of transformation has received a boost with the launch of the dedicated satellite -- Rukmini -- last year.

The country’s maiden dedicated military satellite Rukmini (GSAT-7) was launched by the Arianespace from French Guiana in April 2013, giving Indian Navy more teeth for its missions in the IOR.

“Currently ships, submarines and aircraft are being inducted into the Navy at regular intervals. We have gone multi-dimensional and the Rukmini satellite has ensured that the Navy will have an operational network footprint in the IOR,” Admiral Dhowan told OneIndia during his recent visit to the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala (Kerala).

LCA Navy delay is a matter of concern: Admiral Dhowan said that the delay in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy programme has been taken up seriously. “It’s an important programme for us and we have the IAC (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) in Kochi getting ready and the SBTF (Shore Based Test Facility) waiting for LCA Navy. It’s important that the programme is speeded up,” he said.

He said the Navy was monitoring the progress of the project closely. “We have conveyed our concerns to the agencies concerned. We hope to start the trials of LCA Navy at SBTF at the earliest. The delay has been a cause of concern. We have also conveyed our concern to the Ministry of Defence and the defence production officials,” he said.

More roles for ALHs; aviation arm on a threshold: He said for the Navy is looking for additional ALHs for enhanced maritime operations in the IOR. To a specific query whether the Navy would go for weaponised versions of ALH, the Navy Chief said: “Our requirements are different. Now we are using them for SAR (search and rescue) operations and as a utility copter. In future, we want the ALHs for shallow water ASW (anti-submarine warfare) requirements. So we hope to get the best ALHs.”

He said the naval aviation is on a threshold with the induction of new assets. “We have the MiG 29 Ks (both fighter and trainer) flying onboard INS Vikramaditya. More MiG 29Ks will be inducted soon to consolidate their operational process from an aircraft carrier. We have inducted six P8-Is at Rajali and two more will join to complete the first slot. We have a case in progress to explore the option clause for four more,” he said. 

He said the rotary UAV programme undertaken by the DRDO has been very slow. “We have taken note of the delay in the project. We have given lots of impetus to the project in the last two years. We have laid down stringent timelines and conveyed the same to DRDO for an early solution. We have seen some progress on this front now,” the Admiral said. He said the Navy’s relationship with DRDO is that of a synergy.

Arihant’s first sea sortie shortly: The Navy Chief said that all efforts have been made to ensure that the operational submarines are fully operational and combat-ready. “We are also undertaking an aspect related to the service life extension of these submarines so that we can give them longer lease of life,” he said.

“We took stock of the ongoing submarine construction ‘Project 75’ programme (Scorpene) at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited. We have given a deadline of September 2016 for the first submarine to come out, followed by five more,” he added. The Navy Chief said that India’s nuclear submarine Arihant will have its first sea sortie shortly soon after its harbour trials. 

Quality control at dockyards made stringent: When asked about the growing number of accidents being reported in the Navy during the last one year, the Navy Chief said that if the procedures are not followed with alacrity, accidents do happen.

"Navy is a highly professional service driven by technology advancements. For every action carried out onboard our assets we need to strictly follow all the procedures. When we don’t follow them, there will be room for errors leading to accidents,” he said.

Saying that 50 per cent of naval ships are almost 20 years old, he said safety procedures cannot be overlooked even once.

“The lifespan of a ship or submarine is around 30-35 years. It’s not easy to operate on a submarine or a ship while we work in a very challenging environment. When we have older ships we have to be extra careful while maintaining them. Nobody would like accidents to happen. Our sailors and officers spent sleepless nights so that our citizens can sleep in peace. All measures have been taken, including safety audits, to ensure that accidents can be minimized,” the Navy Chief said.

He said the material failure is an aspect related to maintenance. “There are many agencies involved at our dockyards. The quality control at our dockyards has been made stringent,” he said.

Manpower induction and development of infrastructure key: He said the Navy is gearing up to add more manpower with more assets being inducted on a regular basis. “Man power development and development of infrastructure are two key factors for the Indian Navy now. Since we are inducting more ships, submarines and aircraft, we are focusing more on the human resources now. The INA is the cradle for human resources development of officers and it has to cater to the enhanced rate of induction. We have set our sight on the Phase-II expansion of INA now,” Admiral Dhowan said.

He said the Phase-II will take into account the living accommodation, training facilities, classrooms, sports facilities sound education and training. “We would want INA to impart the highest quality of training available,” he said.

‘A salute to remember’ photo inspires the Chief: The Navy Chief expressed his happiness over the photograph of a special child saluting with the title ‘A salute to remember’ going viral on the social media. "I am touched by this photo. Indian Navy needs more such inspiring moments. Glad you could capture this. An inspiring image for the Indian Navy when we are heading for Navy Day celebrations," the Chief told OneIndia. 

The photo was captured by this writer outside the INA main gate on November 28. It was a mere coincidence that OneIndia was present while Sandeep (a special child) was saluting Rajeev (of the Naval Police). Sandeep is a student of Sneha Nilaya Special School, Kaakanaadu (Kochi) and had visited the INA along with other children as part of Indian Navy's outreach programme.

The Chief also said that the Navy would become more visible on social media platforms. “We are looking at the pros and cons on taking to the social media. We would certainly want better visibility,” Admiral Dhowan said.

Copyright@OneIndia

Admiral R K Dhowan appointed as Navy Chief

(Press Release | Unedited)
The Government has appointed Admiral RK Dhowan PVSM AVSM YSM ADC as the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Admiral RK Dhowan was commissioned in the Navy on 01 Jan 1975. He is a Navigation and Direction specialist who has served with distinction in an array of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments through his exemplary career spanning 40 years. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
He has commanded frontline warships INS Khukri, INS Ranjit, INS Delhi and served as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) Headquarters Western Naval Command. He has also served as Indian Naval Adviser at the High Commission of India, London. He has commanded the Eastern Fleet as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam. He also has the distinction of commanding the prestigious ‘National Defence Academy’, his alma mater as the Commandant.
The important staff appointments held by the Admiral at Naval Headquarters are Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy and plans), Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Vice Chief of Naval Staff.

India Thought Leaders: LCA (Navy) will add punch to Blue Water Vision, says Admiral Nirmal Verma

By Anantha Krishnan M. | Bangalore, |

India | July 09, 2010 | Aviation Week |

India rolled out the naval version (NP-1) of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) on July 6 in Bangalore with Defense Minister A.K. Antony leading the team. With the air force version of LCA (Tejas) now months away from its much-awaited initial operational clearance (IOC), the NP-1 rollout was hailed as a significant new chapter in Indian aviation. Amidst all the feel-good news stories on NP-1 in India’s media, it was important to check the pulse of the user, who would eventually have the final say on the platform’s worthiness. AVIATION WEEK caught up with Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Adm. Nirmal Verma to learn the significance of the NP-1 rollout and the way ahead.

AW: The LCA Navy was rolled out on July 6 after the project got the Cabinet Committee on Security’s nod in April 2003. How significant is this program for the Indian Navy?

CNS: The LCA (Navy) was sanctioned in March ’03 [following] the success of LCA (AF) in January 2001. They were planned as a possible replacement to our aging fleet of Sea Harriers, which have been in service since the ’80s. The vision of the Navy has always been to be an effective force, and hence LCA (Navy) shall play an important role in our future carrier operations doctrine. The LCA (Navy) design specifically caters [to] the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC1) scheduled to be delivered by Cochin Shipyard Ltd by 2014. The aircraft is expected to have state-of-art sensors and weapons and would be an integral part of our air arm. LCA (Navy) would add punch to the Navy’s blue water vision.

For the full interviw, click the link below:
www.aviationweek.com/india

The CNS interview: LCA (Navy) would add punch to the Navy’s Blue water vision: Admiral Nirmal Verma

Catch an exclsuive interview with CNS Admiral Nirmal Verma on the occasion of LCA (Navy-NP-1) roll out on this blog and Aviation Week. Interview going live Friday evening.