Prying plane undergoes flight trials at forward IAF bases | CABS selects BEL as ELSA | Project on track

A rare air-to-air photo of the prying plane undergoing flight trials. 

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to receive the first Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system by the end of this year. Two AEW&C systems, built on modified Embraer EMB-145I aircraft, are undergoing flight trials with one more expected to arrive from Brazil later this year. A senior scientist at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) told Express that after handing over the first aircraft, parallel flight tests and fine-tuning of the mission systems on the second aircraft will continue, based on the IAF feed back. The official confirmed that in addition to the air bases in and around Bangalore, the prying plane has already had flight test campaigns in Jamnagar and Agra. 

"Being a complex system we need to approach the integration in a systematic manner. Safety is our top priority and we are proceeding cautiously at every step. During the integration process, the performance of all mission systems matched our expectations. We are now testing each of these mission systems in an independent mode, followed by operating them together in an integrated manner," the official said. So far both aircraft have clocked more than 200 sorties, logging over 350 flying hours.

The first public display of the AEW&C system, widely known as the prying plane, was during the IAF Day celebrations in 2012 and early this year, it was taken to Bahrain for an air show. As reported by Express earlier, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is exploring the potential of exporting the system for South American countries. 

The official said that Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has been selected as the ELSA (Engineering and Life Support Agency) for the project. "Since the AEW&C is a highly complex system, its requirement too is in limited numbers. Hence establishing of a dedicated production facility is not viable. The support requirement for the aircraft will be provided by Embraer, while BEL will take care of the mission systems," the official said. He said BEL was selected as the ELSA after undergoing an elaborate process mandated for technology absorption.

With the prying plane programme, India has emerged as one of the few nations after the US, Israel and Sweden to have developed such complex systems. "In addition to owing AEW&C, India can today boast of having developed world class systems on active phased array radar. In the process CABS has also emerged as a premier agency capable of developing airborne surveillance systems," the official said. 

CABS has also established cutting edge technologies in areas such as airborne active array antenna, identification of friend or foe systems, mission computers, data handling and display systems, mechanical racks and tactical software to name a few. The IAF has a huge presence at the CABS aiding the prying plane project especially in complex areas of flight testing and evaluation of systems optimally.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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Team CABS with the two AEW&C systems in the background. The team is lead by Dr S Christopher.

Embraer, DRDO explore export potential of prying plane | Detail note for govt's consideration ready

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service
https://twitter.com/akxpress

Bangalore: Even as the flight-test and system integration trials of India's prying plane, the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system gets underway ahead of its expected induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) next year, a bold export initiative has taken wing. Sources confirm to Express that the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has approached the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, for the joint development of AEW&C system for exporting it to South American countries.

The AEW&C system is being built on a modified Embraer EMB-145I aircraft with two planes currently undergoing flight trials in India with the third and final one expected to arrive from Brazil in December. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to induct the first eye-in-the-sky platform next year, making it a force multiplier during reconnaissance missions. Sources confirm that both Embraer and DRDO have already signed a non-disclosure agreement to initiate interactions for taking the idea of exporting the prying plane forward.

With an eye on export, DRDO had exhibited the plane during an air show in Bahrain early this year. "In Bahrain, a couple of Middle East countries had shown interest in having the AEW&C system from India. We can confirm that special interest have been shown by UAE, Oman and Russia. Embraer is keen that we join hands with them for the joint development of the system for South American countries," said an official. He said internationally, similar systems will cost between $100-$110 million and put the cost ratio between Embraer and DRDO to the order of 40:60.

He said the DRDO headquarters had prepared a detailed note, incorporating the export potential of the system. He couldn't confirm whether the prying plane's export plans figure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda during his ongoing visit to Brazil for the BRCS Summit. 

Security concerns: When asked about the possible security concerns that could arise while exporting such a highly complex prying plane, the official said despite India being the highest importer of defence equipment, the country was never accused of a 'security threat' to those who sold the systems. "All measures including tailoring the system for import will be done as per the importers' requirements. This is exactly the manner in which all major defence companies operate. Hence we do not envisage any security issues," the official said.

To a related query, whether it is mandatory to take the IAF's nod before exploring the export potential of the plane, the official said the programme has been funded mainly by DRDO and the IPR is with DRDO. "However, as the IAF being the user now, the matter will be discussed with them as well," he said.

Game changer: Often accused of importing items for various projects, the DRDO sees the export potential as a game changer. "We have built the entire mission system on the aircraft of user's (IAF) choice. We do not produce such aircraft in India today. Only Sweden, Israel and US have developed such state-of-the-art AEW&C system. The benefits of the effort in terms of return on investment can be achieved only if deliver more systems to various agencies," the official said.

The export of the prying plane will help India emerge as a visible player for critical systems. "We have our successful space mission as an inspiring model. The export of AEW&C system will be a game changer for DRDO," the official said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Fully-loaded prying plane ready to fly at Aero India | AEW&CS flight trials to commence soon: CABS

The prying plane undergoes system checks at Old Bangalore airport. (Below) Possibly a first glimpse (not sure!) of AEW&CS interiors with mission systems in place. 

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: After missing two opportunities to fly public for the first time in a span of last four months, India’s yet-to-be-named prying plane – the Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&CS) – is likely to make its maiden appearance at the Aero India 2013, starting next week. Scientists and engineers at the Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a Bangalore- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, which has developed home-grown systems for the plane, are currently involved in the ground checks of the aircraft, to ascertain the safe operation of the mission and aircraft systems, together. The Embraer-built (EMB-145 I) AEW&CS platform did not fly during the Indian Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon last October 8, and even during the recent Republic Day parade in Delhi. 

Talking to Express on Wednesday, DRDO Chief Controller (Avionics) G Elangovan said that in all probability the prying plane will hit Yelahanka for its first public flying appearance. “It will be a great morale booster for CABS and other aerospace firms who are part of the AEW&CS programme. As of now, the plane will have the company of three Tejas aircraft, which again is subject to changes. It will be flying at the air show with actual radars and mission systems,” Elangovan said.

When asked whether any of the features of the plane will be activated during its display flights at the show, Elangovan said that none of the mission-oriented systems will be operational. “We haven’t got that clearance yet and it would take some more time. At Aero India all the systems will be switched-off, during the flight. Right now the EMI (electromagnetic interface) and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) tests are going on,” he said.

CABS Director Dr S Christopher confirmed that the AEW&CS will soon be ready for its flight trials. The first aircraft arrived in Bangalore from Brazil in August 2012 followed by the second one in December 2012. “The indigenous mission systems, developed by the various DRDO labs have been installed in the aircraft. The systems have been powered on in ground and their basic functioning ascertained. One set of these systems are undergoing test in the integration rig simultaneously. Once the ground-check mission parameters are established, the next step will be to take up the flight trials of the AEW&CS,” Christopher said.

He said that the eye-in-the-sky platform would soon commence its intense phase of flight-testing and system-proving validating compliance, to meet the operational requirements. “On completion of these trials the two aircraft will be handed over to the IAF. The installation of the mission systems in the second aircraft also is being carried out parallelly. It will be a significant moment for us when the plane files during Aero India,” Christopher added.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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Prying plane co-piloted by ASTE CTP Gp Capt Tiwari

(L to R) Col. DK Singh, Defence Attache India, Brazil, Dr K Tamilmani, CE, CEMILAC, Dr S Christopher, PGD (AEW&C) & Director CABS, Srinivas, Consul General of India, Brazil, G Elangovan, CC (R&D) (Avionics) and R G Viswanathan, Addl. FA(R&D), DRDO soon after EMB-145I touched down after the maiden flight on December 6. Photo: Special Arrangement

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: India's dream of having a plane embedded with home-grown prying technologies inched closer to reality when the modified Embraer-built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) platform lifted off on its maiden flight from the Sao Jose dos Campos flight test facilities in Brazil on December 6 (IST 7.30 pm). As reported in these columns recently, the systems for the EMB-145I aircraft is being developed by Bangalore-based Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility.

The first aircraft will arrive in Bangalore early June for CABS' integration and flight trials will be executed by Test pilots from the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). “The first flight concludes another important phase in this programme and starts the flight test campaign. We are moving towards the delivery of the first aircraft during the first half 2012,” says Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, Senior Vice-President (Operations), Embraer Defense and Security.

Once operational, the EMB-145I will finally fly with close to 1000 Mission System Components provided by CABS, including the critical item – AESA (Active Electronic Scanning Antenna as can be seen on top of the aircraft) Radar Antenna developed  by  CABS and certified from ANAC, International FAR Certification  Agency.

DROD chief Dr V K Saraswat said that years of constant interaction between experts from the IAF, DRDO and Embraer coupled have finally shown the desired results. “We had an unfortunate experience in the past and we have put all that behind and concentrated on new technologies on a proven platform for meeting the requirements of the IAF. It will be a different experience when the aircraft starts flight trials with our own systems onboard in Bangalore,” Saraswat said.

The aircraft was piloted by Embraer pilot and co-piloted by Gp Capt N Tiwari, Chief Test Pilot, ASTE. “The aircraft took off smoothly and and flew for more than an hour without any hiccups and followed the simulated prediction closely. This critical milestone will put India in the elite class of countries who have developed similar systems,” G Elangovan, DRDO Chief Controller (Avionics) told Express from Brazil.

An elated CABS Director Dr S Christopher, said that the maiden flight is the result of close cooperation between India and Brazil. “This cooperation between the BRIC (Brazil Russia, India and China) countries should make way for fulfilling other international requirements through mutual collaboration,” Christopher told said.

Col D K Singh, Defence Attache India, Brazil, Dr K Tamilmani, Chief Executive CEMILAC, Srinivas, Consul General of India, Brazil and R G Viswanathan, Additional Financial Advisor (DRDO) were part of the Indian delegation who witnessed the maiden flight.

The EMB-145I is a member of Embraer’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) family of aircraft and systems, built based on ERJ 145, one of the most successful regional jet platforms in the world, with more than 1,100 units delivered and 1918 million hours flown.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express) 


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4. http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2011/11/name-indias-eye-in-sky-and-win-fabulous.html (So far, Tarmak007 has received over 160 names for EMB-145I.)