Navy Backs Nuclear Carrier, Super Su-30 Upgrades, Dornier Trials, More ALH-III Inducted

India may build Nuclear powered aircraft carrier

Even as the engineers and ship designers of Cochin Shipyard Limited are busy giving finishing touch to Vikrant, the first indigenously built aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy, possibilities have brightened for the construction of another exciting vessel to make the country’s seas safe from any kind of aggression. The next ship to be built in the country for the Indian Navy in all likelihood would be a nuclear energy powered aircraft carrier having ten-fold or more endurance power than the diesel-powered Vikrant.

India has the capability and expertise to build nuclear powered aircraft carrier. It is for the country’s top bosses to decide when to launch the mission, a Bhabha Atomic Research Centre scientist with specialization in nuclear chemistry said in a statement.

Diesel powered aircraft carriers take hours to get started and set sail while Gas- or nuclear-powered Turbines can make it happen in a matter of minutes.

The US aircraft carrier Nimitz (powered by nuclear energy) with whom Indian Navy had done many exercises in past also had raised a lot of heat and dust among the anti-nuclear lobbyists in the country. 

HAL’s Civilian Dornier Carries out Ground Run and Low Speed Taxi Trials

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited successfully carried out Ground Run and Low Speed Taxi Trials of Hindustan-228 aircraft on 15 August for DGCA Type Certification.

The Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur has ventured into manufacturing the Hindustan-228 for launch under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN.

Hindustan-228 to meet DGCA requirement had to reduce its maximum take-off weight from 6200-5700 kg. Hindustan-228 will also be equipped with a digital cockpit to ensure more accurate readings, precise information, and ergonomic data displays with feedback loops and the capability for self-check to alert pilots in emergencies.

Hindustan-228 is also equipped with a five-blade propeller instead of four for the aircraft to reduce cabin noise in the aircraft and also reduce inflight vibrations.

HAL plans to manufacture Two Hindustan-228 for Alliance Air that will be the first airline in the country to fly HAL’s made in India aircraft. 19 seater, non-pressurized aircraft was exclusively used by defense forces and was authorized for civilian use in 2018. With a list price of Rupees 50 to 55 crore. The Hindustan 228 plane has a maximum cruise speed of 428km/hr and a range of 700 kilometers.

Indian Coast Guard inducts 3 indigenously built advanced light helicopters MK-III

In a major boost to the ALH MK-III indigenous Coast Guard programme, three Advanced Light helicopters manufactured by HAL were inducted into the fleet of the Indian Coast Guard. The helicopters will assist in search and rescue operations, and further enhance coastal security.

The Central government run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – which has designed and developed the ALH MK-III will supply 16 of these helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard by mid-2022.  

Earlier in June, the Indian Coast Guard had inducted the first three helicopters and with these, a total of 6 ALH MK-III have been received by the coast guards so far.

These ALH MK-III squadrons with embarked operations will ensure seamless surveillance and provide assistance to fishermen in distress at sea. The helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like Surveillance Radar, Electro Optic Pod, Medical Intensive Care Unit, High intensity Search Light, SAR Homer, Loud Hailer, Machine Gun and can perform other key roles.

Sukhoi-30MKI fleet to get the first component of ‘Super Sukhoi’ Program

Indian Air force will soon be clearing procurement of the state-of-the-art Digital Radar Warning Receiver DR-118 for the entire Sukhoi-30 platform after successful completion of the program onboard the upgraded MiG-29UPG fleet.

Integration of the Digital DR-118 radar warning receiver was planned under the ‘Super Sukhoi-30 project’ that was planned to reinforce the current capabilities of the aircraft without making any changes to the airframe and would be executed by HAL in collaboration with the DRDO and Sukhoi Aviation Company.

Under the ‘Super Sukhoi’ Program, Plans were to upgrade and integrate indigenously developed avionics including Uttam AESA Fire Control Radar, an upgraded mission computer, a new generation InfraRed Search and Track sensor, larger touch based smart Multi-function displays, and an Electronic Warfare suit with Digital Radar Warning Receiver High Band Jammer and digital DR-118 radar warning receiver, but it now looks like this will happen in much smaller levels in phases to reduce huge upgrade costs.