Showing posts with label Flying Daggers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flying Daggers. Show all posts
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Thursday, May 2, 2019
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
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
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
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Locked on to future, AFS Sulur emerging as IAF’s key base
By Anantha Krishnan M
Welcome to Air Force Station (AFS) Sulur! An airbase locked on to future. And, tipped as the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) most critical base in years to come. When Onmanorama visited AFS Sulur, the base was abuzz with a series of upgradation works. From runway to ATC tower to new hangars, it for a while looked like a massive stadium getting ready for a big game. And, those who have flown in know how significant this game is going to be for the IAF in the future. He said the modern infrastructure accretion that was created to house the Tejas has changed the erstwhile skyline at Sulur making its transformation markedly profound. Read full story: https://bit.ly/2RDxg3X
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
IAF may be given Tejas controls to overcome project delays
Photo: @fotoyogi
By Anantha Krishnan M
Bengaluru, July 10: The Indian Air Force (IAF) may get the controls of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Aeronautical Development (Agency).
The decision likely to be made official by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sooner or later is aimed at ending the blame game over the project delays, often being played out by the stake-holders of this flagship ‘Make in India’ project.
Military sources confirm to Onmanorama that the idea of IAF man being given the command and control of Tejas programme has been floating around for some time now.
Read full report here: http://bit.do/Tejas-Controls
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Saturday, June 23, 2018
IAF, HAL end impasse over Tejas trainers
By Anantha Krishnan M
BANGALORE: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) seem to have arrived on a consensus to end the stalemate over Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas trainers. Onmanorama can confirm now that IAF will have to probably wait till 2021 to get the Tejas trainer of their ‘liking.’ It means there won’t be any trainers from the first block of 20 Series Production (SP) line for now, which will be in tune with the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) standards.
As per the original agreement, four trainers were part of the IOC block and another four from the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) production line. This production plan seems to have now being tweaked with IAF wanting all trainers fitted with the air-to-air refueling (AAR) probe. IAF also says that there cannot be two types (IOC/FOC) of Tejas trainers in its fleet.HAL on its part put up a brave fight in the last one year trying to convince IAF bosses that any change at this stage would further derail their production plans. Two and fro letters flew between HAL and IAF HQ on this contentious issue. HAL even feared a production halt, if IAF stuck to its guns.All that seems to have buried now with IAF probably getting what they wanted, may be not on time, but with delays. So if you are a diehard devotee of Tejas programme, here are some updates on trainers.
- IAF will receive 16 fighters in the IOC format and another 16 in the FOC format. All these will be LCA MKI.
- In the next version of 83 aircraft which are to be built as per the LCA MK1A standards, there will be 10 trainers.
- All the 18 trainers (4+4+10) will be of LCA MK1 standards and not MK1A.
- The first SP-Trainer will be a prototype fitted with AAR probe. Based on its successful completion of trials and acceptance by IAF, another seven will be produced in the first block of 40.
Read full report, here: http://bit.do/Writetake-Tejas
Saturday, January 27, 2018
'Intelligent’ Tejas does the ‘talking’; pilots & engineers are not complaining
By Anantha Krishnan M
TNIE Online Exclusive
Bengaluru, 27 Jan 2018: Close to one-and-a-half-years after the first Light Combat Aircraft Tejas joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet officially, the No 45 Sqn Flying Daggers that flies the desi bird is now ready for bigger operational challenges.
Raised in Bengaluru on July 1, 2016, the Flying Daggers are a now formidable combat air unit with a bunch of young pilots who sleeps, eats and breathes Tejas.
During an interaction granted to this Correspondent, it was evident that the boys are confident of the machine that they operate, its abilities and the possibilities it offers in future. In fact, they call Tejas an ‘intelligent talking plane’.
The Flying Daggers are now under the operational control of Southern Air Command (SAC), headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram through the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) located at Bengaluru.
An upclose with Flying Daggers | Tejas Talking
Presenting to you #TejasTalking, one of the most comprehensive films on Indian Air Force's Tejas pilots. In this 55-minute film, specially made on the occasion of Republic Day 2018, we get you an up-close with the team members of No 45 Sqn, Flying Daggers, who operate the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.
#TejasTalking is a part of #ProjectHamaraHeroes from the hangars of Inspired Indian Foundation®, launched in January 2018. Under this pilot mission, IIF aims to capture inspiring stories from the Indian armed forces and the scientific fraternity.
It is an independently-funded mission, with no commercial angle.
You can WhatsApp your feedback to +91 78997 78888. Jai Hind!
Copyright@Tarmak007
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Monday, June 27, 2016
Friday, December 20, 2013
Tejas squadron formation still a distant dream for IAF | First CO posted For No 45 Sqn at ASTE | Engine test bed readied in Sulur
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) wait to induct the Tejas might get bit longer till the four series production (SP) aircraft roll out from the brand new hangars of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). While today’s second initial operational clearance (IOC-2) will signal the end of a grueling wait for the IAF to officially undertake flight evaluation trials, the formation of No 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) earmarked for Tejas might take another two more years. The same squadron last flew the MiG 21 Bison aircraft operating from Naliya (Gujarat), an airfield closer to Karachi. The Tejas squadron will eventually be operating from the Sulur air force base, near Coimbatore.
Sources monitoring the Tejas programme said that, HAL’s promise of delivering the first production variant of Tejas (SP-1) by March 2014 might be little far-fetched. “We hope to have the first aircraft by end by mid of 2014. The first two aircraft (SP-1, SP-2) might not meet our standards for squadron formation as the metal cutting and hardware were done before we froze the IOC-2 test points. We will raise the first Tejas squadron with four aircraft starting from SP-3 to SP-6,” a top source said. The IAF will use SP-1 and SP-2 for evaluation flight to be undertaken by the Test pilots of Aircraft System and Testing Establishment (ASTE). The limited series production variants LSP-7 and LSP-8 too will be used for evaluation flights by IAF.
The IAF has already identified the first Commanding Officer for Tejas Squadron, now part of the ASTE team, but he’s yet to fly the Tejas. More officers are expected to join the squadron soon, with only few technicians currently being trained to handle the aircraft. For IAF, the maintainability of Tejas is the most primary concern. “The hardware-related issues need to be fixed first. The software can be upgraded without much delay. The critical factor for any aircraft is its maintainability. Truly speaking, before the IOC event, all hardware must be finalized, which might not still be the case with Tejas,” the source said.
A programme management team from the IAF sits at the Aeronautical Development Agency to ensure that the Tejas comes out as a ‘usable aircraft’ befitting the squadron standards. HAL will deliver first 20 aircraft in IOC configuration and another 20 more in the final operational clearance (FOC) format. Appreciating the safety features of the aircraft, the official said that notwithstanding the delays, the safety features of Tejas was world class. “We are way ahead of F-22, Rafale and Eurofighter. We are very lucky to have a safe Tejas flying today. All other similar programmes had crashes during developmental phase. It is a very creditable achievement,” the official said.
Preparations in Sulur are going as per plans with the engine test bed already being readied. The IAF is awaiting the release of Rs 580 crore from the Ministry of Defence to undertake infrastructure work like taxi tracks, hangars and squadron complex. The IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne on Wednesday (18 December) reviewed the progress of Tejas base in Sulur, during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram.
Copyright@The New Indian Express
Thursday, December 29, 2011
ASTE Gets 2-Star Commandant| AVM Nambi checks in | Boon to Tejas: Kota | Right move: Koti |
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme is likely to get a boost with the Indian Air Force (IAF) appointing Air Cmdr Raghunathan Nambiar as the Commandant of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). Nambiar took charge on December 28 as the 20th Commandant of ASTE, picking up his next promotion as an Air Vice Marshal (AVM). Though the IAF is yet to issue an official communication, sources at the Air HQ confirm to Express that, the current ASTE Commandant Air Cmdr B.R. Krishna is now posted to National Defence College for a one-year course.
Nambiar, popularly known as Nambi among the IAF clan, was among the first Test pilots associated with the Tejas programme. During the maiden flight of Tejas on January 4, 2001, it was Nambiar who flew the lead chase Mirage aircraft, keeping a close watch on India's late, but light fighter jet. Tejas was then piloted by Wg Cdr Rajeev Kothiyal, now a commercial pilot and consultant to India's national aircraft programme.
Nambiar takes over the reins of ASTE as an AVM, following the Phase-II recommendations of the A V Singh Committee in 2008, opening up the promotional avenues among higher ranks in the IAF, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. “The decision to raise the Commandant of ASTE to a 2-Star status (AVM) is part of IAF's rank upgradation process. Totally, six posts of Air Marshal and equivalent, 21 Air Vice Marshal and equivalent, 61 Air Commodore and equivalent and 415 Group Captain and equivalent are in this list,” sources said. The ASTE is among the the seven Test pilot schools in the world and the best one in South Asia.
 |
| Kota Harinarayana |
 |
| Rajeev Kothiyal |
Reacting to Nambiar's appointment, Kota Harinarayana, father of Tejas programme, felt that the timing was most-appropriate. “He is a brilliant pilot and a person committed to aviation technology. He is coming at a time, when we are talking in terms of creating a Squadron for Tejas. His presence in ASTE will be a boon to the programme,” Kota said.
Nambiar's flying partner during Tejas' early flight test days Wg Cdr (Retd) Rajeev Kothiyal, said that it is for the first time in the ASTE history that a Tejas Test pilot is appointed as the Commandant. “Nambiar is the right person to see that Tejas gets inducted expeditiously into the IAF. His presence will make all the difference in terms of smooth interaction between all the agencies involved with the programme,” he said.
The No 45 Tejas Squadron (Flying Daggers) will be first raised at ASTE in Bangalore, before re-locating it to Sulur in Coimbatore. The IAF pilots are awaiting the user trial version of the aircraft (LSP-7 & LSP-8), currently got stuck in a delayed production module.
(Copyright@The New Indian Express)
Saturday, October 22, 2011
SKY TEST: Tejas LSP-7 all set for first flight; fuel leak plugged, user trials soon
Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
BANGALORE: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots will officially get a taste of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with the 12th aircraft from the project flight-line and the seventh from the limited series production (LSP-7) block set to kiss the skies soon. Sources told Express that the crucial engine ground run (EGR) was over and the fighter was now being put on low-speed taxi trials (LSTT). “We will do the LSTT before October 24 and the high-speed taxi trials (HSTT) after that. Finally, we will do the nose-up trial leading to the first flight,” sources said. The aircraft is expected to do the LSTT at 150 kmph and the HSTT at 250 kmph.
Though the LSP-7 was scheduled to fly in August, the project hit an air pocket when fuel leak was noticed in one of the aircraft during taxiing. “We had to ground the entire Tejas fleet as safety was our top-most priority. We lost the months of May, June, July and August with not much of testing happening,” sources said.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
