NCW capabilities as a concept taught to trainees at Training Command now: Air Marshal Nair

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Oct 7: The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrates its 84th anniversary on October 8, having established in the year 1932. In the last eight-plus-decade, IAF extended its reach to some of the most difficult terrains in the world, signalling its supremacy and operational capabilities.
The modernisation process in the last decade alone saw the IAF upgrading its fleet and facilities, including new training standards for the air warriors. Training men to match the needs of modern times has been a challenging task for the IAF over the years.
In an interview to Mathrubhumi’s Talkathon series, Air Marshal S R K Nair, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Training Command, gives an insight into some of the thrust areas on focus in the IAF now. 

Full interview, here: http://bit.ly/2dAoDAp

Official video link as IAF turns 84

Catch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/Tarmak007/

Tejas SP-3 ready for maiden flight

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Bengaluru, Sept 22: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is warming up to conduct the first flight of the third series production variant (SP-3) of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, soon. 

The EGR (engine ground run) has been completed and now the aircraft is being prepared for LSTT (low-speed taxi trials).

“Then the HSTT (high-speed taxi trials) leading to the first flight,” says an official. HAL hopes to conduct the SP-3 first flight within a week, subject to favourable weather conditions and zero snags. Air Commodore K A Muthanna (Retd) is set to fly SP-3.

However, the dream of Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha to have four Tejas’ flying over Hindon Air Force base, during Air Force Day (October 8), might not happen this year.

“Both SP-1 and SP-2 are sure to fly with one more from the flightline on the static display,” says an official. SP-3 is unlikely to make it to Hindon this time, though HAL officials are making efforts to position it on the static display arena.

Full report here: http://bit.ly/2cZOZJM

Tejas in Sqn colours to fly during next IAF Day sky party: DRDO

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

OneIndia News 

Bengaluru, Oct 08: A top official in Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said on Wednesday that ‘only time will prove the worth’ of the home-grown fighter – the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. 

Speaking to OneIndia on a day when the Indian Air Force (IAF) is celebrating its 83rd anniversary, the official said that the Tejas Squadron would corner all the glory at the AF Day Parade at Hindon, next year. 

“Tejas will be participating in Iron Fist in 2016 and will demonstrate the BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile launching and stick bombing capabilities with tandem bomb carrier in swing role. We can certainly envisage Tejas to don the IAF colours during the IAF Day celebrations in 2016 with at least five aircraft. Only inducted platforms perform at AF Day celebrations,” the official said. 

He dismissed all anti-Tejas rant saying the worth of the fighter will be known only after it is produced in large numbers. “Let the machine do all the talking,” he said. 

More weapon trials in the next six months: To a query on the weapon trials, the official said that Tejas had completed hot weather trials on the trainer version during July this year. 

“All the system of LCA-AF trainer performed satisfactory during the trials at ambient of 48 degrees Celsius. Significant preparatory work for the balance weapon work has been carried out in this quarter and actual weapon deployment is planned over the next six months,” he added. 

When asked about the challenges being faced by the team now, the official cited the integrations of air-to-air refueling probe, supersonic drop tank and BVR missile integration with radar as examples. 

“The relevant flight tests for completion of the Final Operational Clearance (FOC), tops our agenda now. Towards this the design and development work has already been completed. The aircraft integration and flight testing is on schedule. The BVR is likely to get released with MMR (Multi-Mode Radar) integrated with quartz radome by March 2016,” he said. 

Squadron formation preparations in full swing: Around 60 per cent work towards the formation of the Tejas Squadron is completed at Bengaluru. 

“The O-Level training to IAF technicians has been completed. The air crew training on mission simulator is likely to be completed by November this year. About 70 per cent of GSE/GHE (Ground Support Equipment/Ground Handling Equipment) procurement is also completed,” he added. 

The technical publications and flight manuals have already been delivered to the IAF. Initially, the IAF has planned to operate the aircraft from Bangalore and then shift to the permanent Tejas Squadron base in Sulur (Tamil Nadu). 

The IAF too has taken up a series of modernization work at Sulur to welcome the new entrant into its fold. 

As reported by OneIndia during Aero India 2015, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will have to deliver a total of 20 Tejas series production aircraft in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) format and another 20 in the FOC mode. 

The Tejas Mk-2s would be powered by the GE 414 engine. In addition to a higher thrust engine, the Mk-2 would have the benefits of better performance, improved flight and mission systems and greater maintainability. 

Upgraded Tejas Mk1A will be more user-friendly: The official confirmed that the LCA MK1A would be an improved product with better maintainability to make it more user-friendly. 

“We are planning MK1As with enhanced survivability embedded with an integrated EW suite, which would give an improved sensor performance over Mk1s. This is planned for the larger number of aircraft intended by IAF,” the official, who chose not to be named, said. 

The official claimed that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has given ‘a new direction’ to the project through an accelerated approach during his frequent interactions. He said 

HAL is geared up to roll out at least four series production aircraft by March 2016. 

The first of Series Production (SP-1) aircraft has already been handed over to IAF and another 19 more are expected from HAL to complete the MK1 production schedules in the IOC format. 

OneIndia

IAF@82 | Tejas writes a letter to IAF on b'day eve!

To read the full text of Tejas' letter, follow this link. 

IAF DAY SPECIAL | Tarmak007 Caption Contest (TCC#17)

As the Indian Air Force warms up to celebrate the 81st anniversary, Tarmak007 is keen to invite all the blog followers and aviation enthusiasts for a special sky party in the form of TCC#17. The photo picked up for the contest this time is of Tejas, probably the most-debated and battered piece of metal bird in aviation history. While the believers of desi technologies and the devotees of Tejas will have a different story to tell, there are not many takers who would want to spare an ear.

Tarmak007 followed the Tejas programme from close quarters for over 2 decades and was impressed with the technological knowledge India as a nation gained, thanks to this late, yet light programme. The project definitely could have done better, had it been piloted by leaders with selfless commitment and a collective will -- be it at ADA, HAL, DRDO, IAF and MoD. But, the truth stares at us with a different story. However, we still hope and believe that India's foray into the big ticket business of making modern fighter planes will soon provide the desired results in the form a couple of Tejas squadrons getting inducted by 2017.
So, leave your CRISP caption(s) [not more than 2-3 words] for this dramatic photo taken by Basani Satish Kumar, MoD sharpshooter, based out of Chennai. (Tarmak007 has used the caption 'Out of the Woods' for the same photo as part of a logo, hence the same should be avoided.) Multiple entries are welcome.
The winner will get a copy of My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions, written by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. In addition, the winner will also get some goodies, courtesy IAF Publicity Cell! In short, as they say, the winner takes it all!
The contest closes on October 09 and the winner will be announced on the same day. (If you are seeing this post on another blog, then please ensure that that your caption(s) are put on this site (Tarmak007) only. This makes the tracking of the entries, easier.

All the best!

Tarmak007

IAF@80: Celebrations begin at Hindon

 Photos from the full-dress-rehearsal held today.

   (Press Release | Unedited) 

The Indian Air Force celebrates its 80th anniversary on 08 October this year. An air display by various aircraft will form part of the Air Force Day Parade cum Investiture Ceremony at Air Force Station Hindon.

The air display will commence with Para Motor and powered Hang Glider performance, followed by flag bearing sky divers of Akash Ganga Team dropping out of AN-32 aircraft.

The commencement of Air Force Day Parade will be marked by fly past of three Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Vic formation trooping the Air Force Ensign at a height of  40 Mtrs and speed of 80 Kmph. A Chakra formation comprising three Mi-35 attack helicopters would follow. This will be followed by a Hercules formation consisting of one C-130 J flanked by two AN- 32s followed by Spectrum formation comprising one C-130 J in the lead with two AVRO and two AN-32 aircraft in Echelon position on either side.

The fighter flypast will be led by three Jaguars in Vic formation closely followed by Vic formations of Bison (MiG-21), Baaz (MiG-29), Vajra (Mirage 2000) aircraft and SU-30 MKI aircraft. This would be followed by a Sukhoi aircraft carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’ manoeuvre.

Also, rolling off the runway of the Hindan airbase, would be the De Havilland Tiger Moth of the IAF’s Vintage Aircraft Flight. Flown by Group Captain A S Lamba in 1989, today it was captained by Wing Commander H Kulshreshtha, a test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment.

This aircraft has made its first public appearance after 23 years. It  was inducted into the pre-independence Royal Indian Air Force in 1940 as the basic trainer aircraft and 150 of these aircraft served in the Elementary Flying School at Jodhpur up until 1957 , when it was replaced by the HAL built HT-2.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC has flown this aircraft during his active service. This aircraft is an open cockpit, two seat trainer with a cruise speed of 75 miles per hour and an endurance of two and a half hours. It is powered by Gypsy Major Engine capable of generating 130 Brake horsepower and is fitted with a fixed pitch propeller.

IAF@79: Snapshots from Hindon

Photos: Indian Air Force

ASTE – the pride of IAF

By Dr M.S. Patil, PRO (Bangalore), MoD

The Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bangalore is a unique organisation of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It symbolizes the synergy of technical knowledge and training in producing eminent Test pilots and engineers for the armed forces of the country.

ASTE was formed as a small Aircraft Testing Unit in 1948 at Kanpur and only in 1973 it moved to Bangalore after getting reorganized as ASTE. Now this has grown into a premier aircraft testing and certifying authority for the entire South Asian region. It also assist premier defence organizations like DRDO, CISR, ISRO, HAL on evaluating the aircraft through various and rigorous field trials.

Commandant of the ASTE, Air Commodore B.R. Krishna said that various aircraft like Gnat, Vampire, Mystere, Hunter, Krishak, Saunders Roe P-53C Scout Helicopter, HJT 16, Kiran, Indian variants of Aloutte Helicopter, Chetak, Cheetah, HS748 (AVRO), HF 24 Marut, AN 32, Jaguar and Mirage have been tried and tested here. Saras is being modified here after an accident in 2009, he added. He is also hopeful of Light Combat Aircraft (like Tejas) is available for user trials by the end of the year.

ASTE is also upgrading aircraft like Jaguar through many service trials while evaluating them in the field. Now it has undertaken upgradation of Sukhoi (Super 30) in the ongoing trials. It has also developed high speed cameras for its photo lab, low end electronic systems like radio altimeter, VHF Communications sets and so on.

The Air Force Test Pilots School of ASTE is one of the seven Test Pilot Schools in the world and has the distinction of being the only one in Asia. The school conducts training for Production of Test Pilots, Experimental Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers. The Engineers on successful completion of the course are awarded an M.Tech in Flight Test Engineering. M.Sc degree is awarded to the graduating Test Pilots too from Bangalore University. The training ranges between 10 weeks to 112 weeks depending on their nature.

ASTE has a regular interaction with similar organizations in UK, France and USA in a bid to bring in the latest technology available to make India a pioneer in aircraft testing capabilities. It has a splendid museum with rare blowups of two stalwarts like Wing Commander Ravish Malhotra, brain behind such a venture and Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma who took part in Indo-Sovier Joint Space Venture was an alumini of ASTE.

As on today, it has on its hand a research project on 11 different types of aircraft with regard to their maintenance by multi systems evaluation. In recognitikon of its outstanding contribution to the IAF, on 21 Nov 2005, His Excellency Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the, President of India presented the “Presidential Standard” to ASTE.

ASTE stands at the vanguard of India’s indigenization efforts in aircraft manufacturing and will be a beacon for generations of Test Pilots and Engineers to come.

(This article is hosted on the blog without editing.)