The Indian Navy will soon be farsighted. An Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability will enable it to see early and look far. It is acquiring nine Kamov-31 ship-borne snooping helicopters. The first two of these radar surveillance, early warning choppers will be delivered by June.
This will enhance the operational capability of the Naval fleet to counter low-level threats by enabling long-range detection of enemy aircraft, surface ships and even Cruise missiles.
This capability will be integrated with a carrier-borne fighter aircraft support to intercept the detected threat. Data will be transmitted to command ships for timely initiation of counter-measures against enemy movement.
India signed the Ka-31 deal after being spurned by Britain. Decade-long Indian efforts to acquire the Sea King 42-D had come a cropper, leaving a major gap in surveillance capability at sea. The nine AEW choppers will cost India $ 200.80 million.
A powerful solid-state radar with a 6-metre span antenna rotating under the cabin floor is the core of the Ka-31’s avionics, enabling detection and tracking of even low-flying aircraft.
The Ka-31 is a derivative of the Ka-27 ship-borne helicopter, with the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) attack equipment making way for the radar and radio-electric package.
It has 360 degree radar coverage, a cruise speed of 220 km per, a range of 600 km and an endurance of two-and-a-half hours. The detection range is 150 km in the air, and has a radio horizon range for ships. The Ka-31 carries the twin rotor coaxial Kamov signature. Its flying ceiling is 3,500 metres.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is set to have an AWACS by 2005. The Russian IL-76, the Israeli Phalcon radar and Indian air surveillance software will combine to make India’s first eye in the sky.
Link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/290402/detNAT11.asp
Attachments:
Sign In
April 29, 2002 at 3:34 pm