VL-SRSAM ADS taking shape for Indian Airforce
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) earlier this year carried out two successful launches of vertical launch short-range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur that was meant for the Navy but idrw.org has been told that work on the Truck based VL-SRSAM Quick Reaction Air Defense Systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun.
4 cell canister modules mounted on
a road-mobile 4×6 Truck to enable 360° slant capabilities with autonomous and
net-centric capabilities have been developed, while work on the integration of
electro-optical observation payload and wireless data link communication is
under process to provide air defense coverage for fixed assets and point and area
defense for mobile forces in combat areas.
DRDO plans to test the Naval and
Air force variant in the coming months before it is cleared for trials from the
Naval warship and Mobile Air defense system for the Air force. VL-SRSAM Air
defense system can defend large areas against helicopters, attack aircraft, and
stand-off threats like UAVs, cruise missiles, combat bombers, and kamikaze
attack drones.
VL-SRSAM Air defense system
basically is Astra Mk1 Air to air missile with Integrated Thrust Vector Control
(TVC) system. DRDO plans to make Air defense system modular so that it is not
limited to only one missile type, as it plans to offer longer-range missiles in
the future with improved capabilities.
Dornier 228 offered to
US Navy: HAL
According to the Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, HAL has Offered Do-228
aircraft to US Navy in July 2020, in response to their Global RFI for
Multi-Engine Trainer Aircraft program. USN plans to replace the Beechcraft T-44
Pegasus variant of the King Air 90 that the service has used for the role since
1980 for the US Marine Corps (USMC), and US Coast Guard (USCG) from 2023.
RFIs laid out performance
parameters for the candidate aircraft, including a cruise speed of no less than
195 kt, a service ceiling of no less than 20,000 ft, and an endurance of no
less than 3.5 hours (while performing certain stated flight profiles). Other
specifications included passenger seating numbers and baggage carrying loads.
USN RFI calls for each aircraft to
have a 20,000 flight hour life, 65,000 landings, and a maximum of 15 landings
per flight hour. The T-44A Pegasus is a trainer version, designated the Model
H90 by Beechcraft, used to train United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
and Air Force pilots to fly multi-engine aircraft. A total of 61 were delivered
to the US Navy between 1977 and 1980.
IAF gets Centre’s nod
to procure 56 transport aircraft; 40 to be manufactured in India
The Cabinet Committee on Security
(CCS) on Wednesday approved procurement of 56 C-295 MW transport aircraft for
Indian Air Force from a Spain-based private company. This is the first project
of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a
private company. Of 56, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from
Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and 40 aircraft will be
manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of the deal.
All 56 aircraft will be installed
with indigenous electronic warfare suite, the Central government said in an
official release. C-295 MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with
contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF. The
aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops
and cargo.
The programme will act as a
catalyst in employment generation in aerospace ecosystem of the country and is
expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3000 indirect jobs
and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities, the government
said.
The project will give a boost to
aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will
be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft, it added.
A large number of detail parts,
sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled
to be manufactured in India. “The programme will provide major boost to the
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the government as it offers a unique
opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive
and highly competitive aviation Industry.
The project will augment domestic
aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected
increase in exports,” the release said. “This programme is a unique initiative
of Government of India to strengthen indigenous capabilities and boost ‘Make in
India’,” it added.
Saab awards contract to
Bengaluru-based firm to make electrical systems for T-7A trainer aircraft
Swedish aerospace company Saab has
awarded a contract to Bengaluru-based FE-SIL to manufacture electrical
interconnections systems for the T-7A trainer aircraft, according to a
statement issued on Wednesday. The trainer aircraft, which has been
manufactured by Boeing in partnership with Saab, will train the next generation
of fighter and bomber pilots, FE-SIL said in the statement.
“Under the multi-year contract, FE-SIL will
deliver the required wiring systems for the advanced aircraft’s aft fuselage,”
it said. Fokker Elmo SASMOS Interconnection Systems Limited (FE-SIL) is a joint
venture between GKN Aerospace and SASMOS HET Technologies Limited.
IAF to induct MR-SAM
today, deployed at Jaisalmer
It will be a major addition to
India’s air-defence system, to protect the armed forces against air and missile
attacks. The first MR-SAM or the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, developed
jointly by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) will be handed over to the Indian Air Force at
its base in Jaisalmer tomorrow.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh and
chief of the IAF, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, will be present at the
function, to be held after an IAF aircraft lands on a highway in the Barmer
area. Similar landings have happened on highways in Uttar Pradesh and a fighter
plane having the option of landing on a highway in case there is a problem in
the airfield during times of conflict is reassuring.
The MR-SAM has a range of 70 km and can hit
aircraft, helicopters and also, incoming missiles. It has a speed of Mach-2 and
will be useful in protecting Indian armed forces’ assets. The deal between the
IAI and the DRDO to develop the MR-SAM was signed a decade ago.
Once the MR-SAM is ready, it can be
mass-produced for the armed forces. India and Israel have worked together on
the missile. The two countries remain close defence partners.
Zorya-Mashproekt to
produce gas turbine engines for two Indian Navy frigates
The designer and manufacturer of
gas turbines Zorya-Mashproekt has signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Limited
for the supply of two M7H2 units for the needs of the Indian Navy. According to
the Ukroboronprom press service, it is planned to equip new multipurpose
frigates with gas turbine units that will soon be built at the Indian shipyard.
“According to the contract, the
first unit should be ready in December next year, the second one—in July 2023,”
the Ukroboronprom clarified. M7H2 units have an upgraded microprocessor control
system, 58,000 horsepower and allow for the speed of 30 knots.
Goa Shipyard Limited is an Indian
Government owned ship building company located on the West Coast of India at
Vasco da Gama, Goa. Recall that over the past two weeks, Zorya-Mashproekt has
signed contracts with Indian customers totaling about $100 million. Goa
Shipyard Limited is an Indian Government owned ship building company located on
the West Coast of India at Vasco da Gama, Goa. State Enterprise Gas Turbine
Research and Production Complex Zorya-Mashproekt is one of the leaders in world
gas turbine construction.
The baseline enterprise profile is
the design, production, and repair of gas turbines for the naval vessels and
ships, power industry, and gas transmission lines. Zorya’s products are
competitive with world analogues and are in demand.
