I chanced upon this article during a search and I think this article is probably the very latest on the INS Vikramaditya and I thought a new thread would justify it as the carrier is finally going to start trails and already undergoing mooring trails. Moreover I did not see this article posted anywhere.
added an article
Aircraft carrier: incarnation of a dream
12.01.11
Text: Korabel, November 16, 2010, No. 90 (6876), Oleg Korotkov
Collage by O. Perov, KorabelRefit of INS Vikramaditya enters a new phase
Shipbuilders of Sevmash are well aware of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (former aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) which is being reconditioned for Indian Navy. That is natural – they have spent much trouble on the carrier to achieve current impressive appearance.
Today, she is an enormous ship with displacement of 45 000 tons, as high as a twenty-storey building, and as long as three football grounds. About 2 600 rooms are located inside the ship on 22 levels; they are battle stations, crew quarters, cabins… Hangar size is also impressive – it is 130 meters long. Somewhat 2 000 crewmembers including pilots, technicians and other air wing personnel can serve in this floating city equipped with “airport” and workshops, “residential buildings” and mess-rooms, hospitals and recreational sites. And the time when all that comes true is near at hand. According to general modernization schedule, INS Vikramaditya is supposed to be delivered to Indian customers in December 2012. People who are in charge for this strategic Russian-Indian contract are sure it will be so.
…Speaking a “military-accented” language, floating base Severnaya is a battle staff of the ship retrofitting. All basic decisions are made here; it is the place where director general, his deputy, chief engineer, and deliverer-in-charge hold briefings with engineers, shipwrights, workers… Current and prospect objectives are assigned and summarized here. In a word, that’s a real headquarters.
Few days ago I had a chance to meet with production director No. 4 (military technical cooperation) Sergei Novoselov, his deputy Georgy Zhukov, and deliverer-in-charge Igor Leonov in floating base Severnaya. The project’s top managers wanted to share more than good news with Korabel; an important construction phase – electrification of INS Vikramaditya – had been finished. And take note, it happened one month ahead of time specified in the general schedule!
The ship has come alive
KORABEL: All right, everyone knows that without electricity any equipment is just a lifeless metal heap. So now, when the carrier is electrified, can we say that the ship has come alive?
Sergei NOVOSELOV: Sure. It’s hard to overestimate this event. Perhaps, its significance can be compared only with a ship’s launching.
Igor LEONOV: To accomplish this task, we have to do colossal number of works, including electrical safety operations. It is obvious as there are over 1 000 electric boards in the ship; almost two hundreds of them are high-voltage ones.
Georgy ZHUKOV: Now all four central switchboards are electrified, so we can begin to start mechanisms which are over 1 500. We’re going to “open” the first hundred of them in the nearest days. In other words, the phase of adjustment works starts.
Everyone’s at work
KORABEL: It has been a long-awaited moment, as Admiral Gorshkov has been staying at Sevmash for over ten years…
Sergei NOVOSELOV: That’s right, but the main work started only in the fall of 2007. Before that we had disassembled equipment and cleaned the hull, rooms and everything. And when Nikolai Kalistratov was appointed Director General of Sevmash three years ago, the construction suddenly entered its active phase. The shipyard has gained a considerable momentum since that time. We’ve done so much throughout these three years… Under auspices of I. Ponomarev, department deputy director of Rosoboronexport and A. Alsufiev, Sevmash’s chief engineer, our experts fruitfully participated in Russian-Indian talks on changes in repair and retrofitting costs. As for now, all “i’s” have been dotted; Indian partners pay for all works without delays and this makes possible to purchase all needed equipment and materials in time. New organizational structure and general schedule have been approved. All work clusters have been determined; each one is headed by deliverer-in-charge. Number of direct workers has been significantly grown – today, they are almost four thousands including electricians from SPO Arktika.
Georgy ZHUKOV: Everyone’s at work in the ship, in sheds, in engineering offices. All are involved – counterparties, manufacturer’s designers and technologists, experts of Nevskoye Design Bureau, Production Quality Control Dept, military representatives…
KORABEL: Input of electric power is a significant event. Could you name any other milestones?
Igor LEONOV: They’re not too many. We have enlarged flight deck sponsons; replaced forebody; extended stern part; assembled propeller rudder system and grounding gears; shaped a ski-ramp for horizontal takeoffs and arrested landings. In the falls of 2008 the carrier left the shipyard’s basin; that was a unique operation – there were only few inches between the ship’s boards and caisson walls. We finished loading of large-size equipment in 2009. To do that, we made 540 access holes in the hull of Vikramaditya, and then rewelded them. Works on the bulkhead were successfully completed in 2010 – arc welders and riveters of 42nd shed did show their worth. What utmost powers were given to assemble ventilation and air conditioning system meant for tropical climate (high temperature and humidity)! Fans and coolers have been already built in; air ducts are ready in 60 per cent of compartments. Totally, we have done 80 per cent of pipeworks. In January 2010 the ship was ready for electric installation works; as a consequence, 1 890 km of new cables have been laid while only 500 remained.
Georgy ZHUKOV: Another complex operation was alignment of four shaftlines. We have finished assembling of turbine-geared propulsion units, turbo-generators, diesels, and eight boilers (each one weights 40 tons and is as high as a 2-storey building).
All those works were done in extreme conditions, since the ship was afloat. Engineers from Scientific & Technological Dept helped us and developed special methods, equipment, and accessories.
Floating airfield
KORABEL: Ships of this kind are often called floating airfields, but aircraft system is a totally new experience for Sevmash shipbuilders, right?
Igor LEONOV: Nevertheless, we’ve already mounted three arresters, two aircraft elevators, takeoff retaining devices for aircraft tests (designed by Corporation MiG especially for INS Vikramaditya), and numerous ammunition holds. Assembling of aircraft fuel, nitrogen, and oxygen storage and supply system is another technically complicated problem in terms of safety; however, it was successfully done as well.
Let’s go ahead. Electronic warfare systems include over 100 various antennas and 60 battle control stations. On November 30 we completed mounting of 600 electronic warfare devices, and electricians from Arktika have already started to connect them.
KORABEL: We’ve slipped to future prospects of Sevmash. What else has to be done in the nearest time?
Georgy ZHUKOV: We’re going to finish fire tests by January 15, 2011. This will make possible to wash hull systems by conditioning oils. And then everything will be done step by step: beginning of mooring trials in February-March 2011 which is entirely in accordance with general schedule, and sea trials will start in November 2011 in the White Sea. They will continue in 2012 in the Barents Sea. Air wing will be tested there, as well as operability of ‘ship-aircraft’ system.
Igor LEONOV: We will conduct dock inspection of the ship’s hull in winter 2011-2012 in Murmansk. INS Vikramaditya will head for India in December 2012. Nonetheless, Sevmash will provide a one-year long warranty service after delivery of the carrier and then a 19-year long post-warranty service.
Full contact
KORABEL: Shipwrights of Sevmash have been working closely with Indian military observers through the whole period of construction…
Sergei NOVOSELOV: Those guys are really top-sawyers! We’ve shaped not only working relations but friendly ties with them. Recently they started to take part in work planning – three times a week Indian officers meet with Director General of Sevmash and top managers of the shipyard. On Tuesdays we go around the ship with the head of the observation group and resolve technical issues by the way. So, we’re in full contact.
KORABEL: When the crew of Vikramaditya arrives in Severodvinsk?
Igor LEONOV: Very soon, early in 2011. We expect up to 1 400 officers and enlisted to come at different dates. But they will observe mooring trials first.
We can build a new one
KORABEL: Let’s get back to production. In 2010 the works were conducted under a new so-called weekly planning system.
Sergei NOVOSELOV: We must give credit to the president of United Shipbuilding Corporation Roman Trotsenko who recommended to apply weekly planning. That contributed much to acceleration of the production process. Look, about 1 500 operational posts headed by foremen are set every week. Money reward system is closely connected to the weekly planning – you’ve done the job well, you get a good bonus. Such system has a plenty of advantages. Among them are permanent monitoring over all current works and preparation for subsequent ones, labor movement, financial flow, people’s motivation to complete work in time, final-result orientation. Roman Trotsenko set regular interagency meetings at the shipyard with mandatory inspection of the ship. Weekly reports we sent to United Shipbuilding Corporation also pep up. On the initiative of R. Trotsenko and N. Kalistratov, all who work overtime have free meals. Many interagency problems are resolved thanks to United Shipbuilding Corporation, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Rosoboronexport, and Russian Navy. Let’s not forget that this Russian-Indian project is permanently controlled by Russian government.
KORABEL: If Sevmash is tasked to build a new aircraft carrier, would you manage to?
Sergei NOVOSELOV: Indeed, I’m sure of it! Through recent years an effective administrative structure has been shaped in Sevmash. Now the yard is capable to negotiate construction, repair, and modernization contracts for large surface ships – primarily, aircraft carriers – independently. We’ve established cooperation with hundreds of domestic and foreign factories, institutes, designing organizations, training centers etc. But undoubtedly, the main thing is invaluable experience acquired during the years of work on INS Vikramaditya. It is very important to keep this experience.
KORABEL: John Steinbeck, an American writer and Nobel laureate wrote that a ship was something like incarnation of a man’s dream. Do your dreams come true?
Sergei NOVOSELOV: You see, shipwrights of Sevmash have been always specialized in submarines. And then came Admiral Gorshkov, a giantlike cruiser which was supposed to become an aircraft carrier. That was just what we called a dream, because we had to master new shipbuilding technologies and address large-scale production issues. And I think we do it well. Sevmash have been managing so far. Moreover, as a matter of fact we build a new carrier. So, our dreams come true.
http://www.rusnavy.com/nowadays/concept/views/vikramadityaimplementation/
India, Russia settle aircraft carrier deal
by Staff Writers
Moscow (UPI) Dec 8, 2009Ending a protracted logjam over the pricing of a naval aircraft carrier purchase, Russia and India have reached agreement on a key defense deal.
The issue came up in high-level talks between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier this week.
Details of the agreement were not made public but India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao confirmed the breakthrough to reporters after the summit.
“Both the leaders discussed the issue and noted excellent progress on negotiations on price and technical issues which have been brought to a successful conclusion,” she was quoted as saying to Indian and Russian media.
No details were given about the carrier Admiral Gorshkov’s final price but reports said the final cost could be more than $2 billion.
The Admiral Gorshkov was gifted to India — free of charge — in 2004 in line with a contract signed the same year.
The 44,570-ton aircraft carrier, now rechristened to INS Vikramaditya, was set to be delivered in 2008, but the process has been delayed because of a renegotiation over the refitting prices.
The initial contract had earmarked $964 million for the vessel’s refurbishment and $536 million for a complement 16 MiG29K fighter aircraft fitted on board.
Four years later, however, Russia claimed it underestimated the cost of the project, adding a surcharge of $1.2 billion and delaying delivery of the navy ship until 2012.
India rebuffed the price hike, calling it exorbitant. Yet it has since then agreed to pay $800 million for the refitting project, Indian media reported.
The squabble over the Soviet-made carrier had come to symbolize the strains in relations between the two Cold War allies.
The Admiral Gorshkov is to join the Indian navy and replace the INS Viraat, now 50 years old.
There was no public announcement as to the vessel’s new delivery deadline.
The breakthrough came during a three-day trip Singh is currently undertaking in Moscow, during which both countries signed a raft of agreements, including one on cooperation in civilian atomic energy and another on arms trade.
Both Russia and India are members of the so-called BRIC club of emerging economic giants, and New Delhi has been keen to win Moscow’s support in bolstering its civilian nuclear energy program.
Two agreements signed on arms focused on bilateral arms trade between 2011 and 2020, and on a deal to service Russian-made arms sold to India, according to an announcement issued from the Kremlin.
Details of the agreements were not disclosed.
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/India_Russia_settle_aircraft_carrier_deal_999.html
By: JangBoGo - 12th January 2018 at 15:59
Indian Navy’s sea power demonstration to Raksha Manthri, videos from onboard VKD
Other video clips
Forward elevator
https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/950752014043983873
RM inside MiG-29K
https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/950686647024173056
By: JangBoGo - 12th January 2018 at 15:55
Indian Navy’s sea power demonstration to Raksha Manthri
Few snaps from official handles
@DefenceMinIndia
@indiannavy
@nsitharaman
@MIB
@PIB
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Smt @nsitharaman on-board INS Vikramaditya, India’s largest aircraft carrier which is a 44,500 tonne mega-structure that can carry over 30 aircraft.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTGBmorVMAAr0Rl.jpg: orig
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Union Minister for Defence, Smt. @nsitharaman meeting the Heads of Departments (HoDs) of Flagship INS Vikramaditya while witnessing the operational manoeuvres of the Western Fleet ships, conducted by the Indian Navy.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTGQbSBVAAA_QNE.jpg: orig
Understanding the challenges faced by personnel at sea, Smt @nsitharaman interacts with the MIG-29K pilots on-board INS Vikramaditya
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@DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman having a closer look at the Fleet ships through the telescopic sight mounted on a compass pelorus onboard INS Vikramaditya
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#SecureSeas @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman interacts with the Marine Engineering crew inside the Boiler Room of INS Vikramaditya during her visit – The temperatures in this compartment vary between 50-60*C at any given moment
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTPTZRxV4AA7QzG.jpg: orig
Before taking off for the sea, a quick chat with FoC in C Western Command, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra. @indiannavy @DefenceMinIndia
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTFkz04U8AAxhC7.jpg: orig
He looks like ISRO’s Kiran Kumar. 🙂
By: JangBoGo - 9th November 2016 at 18:29
X-posting videos posted by Flyboy77 in another thread regarding the MiG-29K/KUB payload from the carriers. I think it was posted in this thread earlier.
Video shows the MiG-29K/KUB in various strike/tanker configuration operating from the decks of VKD.
The basic stuff to note here is that MiG-29K/KUB have already demonstrated its max payload capacity from the carriers. Trolling effort was made recently, so thought about (re)posting those videos and the approx payload in those configuration. Quoting Kopyo-21 figures for the two configuration.
Both clips above have shown the max or nearly max take off weight of Mig-29K/KUB.
1. 5 tons load in buddy-buddy re-fuel role:
– 4 x 1,150L wing tanks: ~ 4.4 tons incl. fuel, empty tanks and pylons.
– Upaz-MK fueling pod: ~ 0.6 ton incl. pylon2. 5.8 tons load in anti-ship role:
– 2 x 1,150L wing tanks: ~ 2.2 tons incl. fuel, empty tanks & pylons.
– 1x 2,150L centre tank: ~ 1.9 tons incl. fuel, empty tank & pylon.
– 2 x Kh-35E missiles: ~ 1.4 tons incl. 2 missiles & 2 launch ejection rails.
– 2 x R-73 missiles: 0.3 ton incl. 2 missiles & 2 lanch rails.
Another good video below, I don’t remember having come across this video earlier.
By: RaketaObezyana - 19th October 2016 at 22:24
So it’s a lack of moral fibre that is holding back the INs carrier deployment in your opinion?.
It’s not, in fact, a recognition that there are no shortages of strike aircraft in theatre. A recognition that adding those of yet another nation and, most notably, a formation with limited operational experience is going to add complexity for little real value in terms of targets serviced.
As to the Russians notionally kicking themselves for not keeping the ship. What capability set do you believe the ship represents that would be worth the rather steep price India paid for the conversion?.
By: JangBoGo - 12th October 2016 at 07:08
For comparison the earlier posted screenshot of VKD with 14 x MiG-29K/KUB and 3 helos.
INS Vikramaditya in Indian hands is now an asset which is kept idle when it could have been employed to great effect fighting the terrorists in Syria. The crew and pilots would have earned invaluable combat experience, but then political bosses also needs to have balls to undertake such an endeavor rather than keeping your mouth shut with someone else balls.
The time is not yet lost and I hope the Indian Govt will consider sending the VKD/R33/11430 group to the Syrian shores after evaluating the 11435 Kuznetsov deployment.
I bet VKD would have been a great asset for the Russian navy in the current counter-terrorism ops in Syria and I think Russia was just too slow to grab the ship after they offered to take the ship back when the usual suspects in India were in full swing bad mouthing the deal and everything associated with it through media.
I think there would certainly be people in Russia who feels that they should have acted fast enough and never let it go when the opportunity to take it back came.
By: JangBoGo - 12th October 2016 at 07:05
Had some problems with the attached files earlier…
VKD with another set of deck groupings and arrangement. 15 x MiG-29K/KUB and 4 helos.
4 x armament/stores elevator also clearly visible relative to the aircraft placement.
By: JangBoGo - 12th May 2016 at 17:31
Vishnu,
Any info on how many have already converted to the 29K/KUB and by what time frame the squadron will be up and running on VKD?
By: JangBoGo - 12th May 2016 at 17:25
why 14 only? Wiki says 26.
How much round the clock support could you get out of only 14 jets, lets say a week into the fight given serviceability and other issues?
It will be more than 14 but will be based on operational requirements. I don’t want to type it all again, so quoting what I had posted 3 years back. The numbers need not be 34 as I mentioned below, but it is more likely to be 45 x MiG-29K/KUB shared between VKD and INS Vikrant, with two squadrons each on the decks of these two carriers.
The numbers quoted are 24 aircrafts and could mean 2 squadron. Commisioning photos have shown INS Vikramaditya to base two units INAS 303 – The Black Panthers and INAS 300 – The White Tigers. In my view, the current White Tigers will start converting to MiG-29K/KUB in 2-3 years time or maybe even earlier.
I think the wartime numbers are likely to increase and if the total density is what matters then it can be 13 x MiG-29K in hanger and 12-21 x MiG-29K on the deck for a total of upto 34 x MiG-29K/KUB divided between two squadrons.
It might sound highly optimistic, but not impossible. Few things remember
1) 13 is a solid figure of 29K that can be accommodated inside the hanger.
2) The bow is configured to take/service 11-12 x MiG-29K returning from mission and atleast first of the 11 aircrafts that got trapped will be anchored at bow. I see no reason for any obstacle in trapping of aircraft and it will not be any surprise if we manage a trapping interval of one aircraft every minute.
3) The rest of the aircraft 13-21 probably might have slightly higher trapping interval as these aircrafts will need to be parked at the 8 slots available aft of the island and will be obstructing the landing strip slightly more than the earlier 11-12 aircrafts.But for now its going to be more manageable figure of 16 aircrafts.
By: VishnuSom - 12th May 2016 at 12:55
Yes. Aircraft allotted for his personal use. Read all about it
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/1971war/1278-chuck-yeager.html
By: Sigma4 - 12th May 2016 at 12:38
Chuck Yeager’s personal aircraft?
By: VishnuSom - 12th May 2016 at 04:33
Indian Sea Harriers fly for the very last time.
PRESSINFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENTOF INDIA
*****
DE-INDUCTIONOF SEA HARRIER AND INDUCTION OF MIG-29K FIGHTER AIRCRAFT IN INAS 300
Vasco,Goa: 21 Vaisakha 1938
Wednesday, 11 May 2016
The illustrious and unique Sea Harriers of Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS 300) were given a befitting farewell in a function organised at INS Hansa,Goa. The function was attended by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command, serving and retired Officers and Men of the Indian Navy and all personnel who have served in the INAS 300. Speaking on the occasion Admiral RK Dhowan lauded the stellar role played by the squadron in the defence of the country and acknowledged the professionalism of the pilots, the maintainers and all those personnel associated with flying and maintaining the aircraft in peak efficiency during their service. He said that the rich legacy would continue as the baton is being passed on to the proud young crew of the MiG 29K squadron who have been successful in seamlessly integrating the fighters with INS Vikramaditya in the shortest possible time.
In appreciation of the faithful service to the nation by INAS 300 ‘White Tigers’,an impressive ceremony was held today which saw the Sea Harriers fly for one last time, and MiG-29K flanking their outgoing cousins and ceremoniously taking their place. The air display included supersonic pass by MiG 29s and formation flying by two each Sea Harriers and MiG 29Ks. The composite air display symbolized a smooth transition from the old to the new in continuance with the proud legacy of the INAS 300. On completion of the Air display,”washing down of the Sea Harriers” was carried out in a traditional manner. A first day cover was also released by Admiral RK Dhowan to mark the occasion.
The White Tigers or INAS 300 who stand for excellence, determination and aggressive spirit, heralded the era of carrier borne aviation into the India nNavy. Almost six decades ago the squadron was commissioned at RNAS Brawdy with its distinctive ‘White Tiger’ logo and equipped with the Sea Hawk aircraft.After providing yeoman service for over two decades, the squadron was subsequently reincarnated with Sea Harriers in 1983. This premier carrier borne fighter squadron achieved iconic status in the Indian Navy with its distinguished service, receiving numerous gallantry awards which includes one Maha Vir Chakra, four Vir Chakras and one Nau Sena Medal.
From the time the white tigers came into being, ‘Three Hundred’ as the squadron is colloquially called, brought about transformational change in concept of naval operations. INAS 300 with its potent sea harriers formed the teeth of naval combat power and consequently was the center piece of naval operational strategy. With their professionalism, the White Tigers assured control of these as by ensuring air dominance for the Carrier Battle Group and were a force to reckon with, with their combat skills appreciated by many which included foreign navies as well as the Indian Air Force.
After 33 years sterling service, the sea harriers were being de-inducted from the Navy and under took its last flight today. To continue the proud ‘White Tiger’legacy, the squadron has been re-equipped with the new and more lethal MiG 29Ks. INAS 300 would thus be re-equipped with the new swing role air dominance fighter giving the squadron enhanced combat power and offensive capability. For the versatile White Tigers, this resurrection also marks a full cycle from commissioning ‘Tail Hooking Sea Hawks’ to the ‘Vectored Thrust’ Sea Harrier era; and now with the induction of the MiG-29k to this elite squadron, marks the return of the ‘Tail Hookers’.
*****
An old pic of Arun Prakash who went on to become Chief of Naval Staff seen here in the cockpit of a Sea Harrier. In 1971, Prakash famously hosed down Gen Chuck Yeager’s personal aircraft in Pakistan while flying a Hunter on deputation with the Indian Air Force. This was during the Indo-Pak war.
By: tankdriver67 - 20th April 2016 at 23:27
Very impressive rebuild on this ship. About the only thing I can think of that compares was what the RN did to Victorious in the 50s.
By: Yama - 15th March 2016 at 23:18
Hi Swerve … they have officially given up scavenging for parts … British Aerospace simply wont manufacture many of the components that they need … and they have been worried about reverse engineered components – There was a proposal to buy many Royal Navy Sea Harrier air frames but that never progressed very far … A pity in a sense because there are about 3-4 planes that remain fully ops with a very modern Elta 2032- Derby missile combo …
Too much of an effort, I am told to transfer logistics to the Vikramaditya for a second mini-air wing – I also think its safe to assume that off the 4 jets, you are not going to get more than 2 SHARs up at any one time … Just not worth it …
Yeah, wasn’t it reported that the carrier itself actually had few more years left on it, but air wing was whittled to so low level that it wasn’t worth it operationally anymore.
SHAR/MiG-29K combo operating from Vik would have looked epic…
By: Jonesy - 15th March 2016 at 12:16
Hi Jonesy … the SHARs are done for … they flew off the deck of the Viraat for the very last time a few days back and landed in Goa. Its just too difficult and risky to operate them now primarily because of the lack of spares.
Does surprise me to hear that. I understood that a modest life extension went in with the Elta/BVRAAM upgrade work?. Clearly they are old cabs now though so, sad to see from a romantic perspective, but of course quite understandable.
Here is Viraat … cruising at 21 knots … on her way back to Mumbai … probably the last pic we will see with SHARs onboard …
I saw these when you posted them first Vishnu and I wanted to say something then but everything I put down seemed unintentionally condescending in some way….so I’ll just say that its clear from her state there, in the sunshine, that the old girl went to the right place, and to the right people, to give her last years of service.
There was a very unfortunate tragedy at the end of the day shortly after the Viraat docked at Goa – there was a fire in her boiler room as they were shutting down her engines … a sailor was killed because of smoke inhalation …
Boilers are always trouble. Deeply sad to hear of the loss in what should be a fairly routine evolution. I know we were glad to see the back of large steam plants in the surface fleet when the Fearless class passed into history.
By: VishnuSom - 15th March 2016 at 11:56
That’s a better reason than interference from the arrester wires.
It’s probably possible to get around it, by buying spares from current AV-8 operators & their suppliers where they fit, scavenging other spares from previous SHAR operators, & making from scratch any which can’t be got hold of in any other way. But is it worth it for a handful of aircraft which have effectively been replaced? Probably not.
Hi Swerve … they have officially given up scavenging for parts … British Aerospace simply wont manufacture many of the components that they need … and they have been worried about reverse engineered components – There was a proposal to buy many Royal Navy Sea Harrier air frames but that never progressed very far … A pity in a sense because there are about 3-4 planes that remain fully ops with a very modern Elta 2032- Derby missile combo …
Too much of an effort, I am told to transfer logistics to the Vikramaditya for a second mini-air wing – I also think its safe to assume that off the 4 jets, you are not going to get more than 2 SHARs up at any one time … Just not worth it …
The pilots too need to move on in their careers – this jet has always been extremely difficult to fly – remember the Indian Navy operated the oldest versions of the Pegasus jets in hot and humid weather conditions for yonks … Even getting the optimum thrust they needed to safely do vertical landings was getting to be a problem in 1 or 2 jets which participated at the Intenational Fleet Review. I would assume the trainers … which are newer airframes … have some life left … but they dont have radars … so …
Cheers.
By: swerve - 15th March 2016 at 11:31
Hi Jonesy … the SHARs are done for … they flew off the deck of the Viraat for the very last time a few days back and landed in Goa. Its just too difficult and risky to operate them now primarily because of the lack of spares.
That’s a better reason than interference from the arrester wires.
It’s probably possible to get around it, by buying spares from current AV-8 operators & their suppliers where they fit, scavenging other spares from previous SHAR operators, & making from scratch any which can’t be got hold of in any other way. But is it worth it for a handful of aircraft which have effectively been replaced? Probably not.
By: VishnuSom - 15th March 2016 at 08:43
You’d run a STOVL flying programme with VL’s into spots 2 or 3. When you can pick the spot you want to land on you pick one as close to midships as possible, at the centre of pitch, as its the part of the ship thats jumping up and down the least. It would also be well forward of the arrestor wires.
I’d assume that, in an emergency, there would be very little difficulty in integrating SHAR STOVL ops into the ships flying programme. I’d also assume that the peacetime IN, sensibly, doesnt want to borrow the trouble of operating two very disparate types of fastjet on one space-constrained carrier without an absolute necessity to do so.
Hi Jonesy … the SHARs are done for … they flew off the deck of the Viraat for the very last time a few days back and landed in Goa. Its just too difficult and risky to operate them now primarily because of the lack of spares. The pilots in the Squadron .. some of the most experienced aviators (the best were picked to fly SHARs) will now need to convert to MiG-29Ks or cease flying if they are about 40-42 years old .. in which case they go on to other things based on seniority and picking up their rank.
Here is Viraat … cruising at 21 knots … on her way back to Mumbai … probably the last pic we will see with SHARs onboard …
Had the privilege of seeing their last public flight at the International Fleet Review at Vishakapatnam a few weeks back … and have loads of fond memories of my sortie on one of them off the deck of the Viraat a few years back.
Its been an emotional closure for the families of the White Tigers Squadron – they had a day out at sea as the squadron gets set to be retired for the moment.
There was a very unfortunate tragedy at the end of the day shortly after the Viraat docked at Goa – there was a fire in her boiler room as they were shutting down her engines … a sailor was killed because of smoke inhalation …
By: Jonesy - 14th March 2016 at 22:54
Aparently because the STOBAR arrestors might have interfered with a typical Sea Harrier deck VL,my guess.But anyway they are out for good.
You’d run a STOVL flying programme with VL’s into spots 2 or 3. When you can pick the spot you want to land on you pick one as close to midships as possible, at the centre of pitch, as its the part of the ship thats jumping up and down the least. It would also be well forward of the arrestor wires.
I’d assume that, in an emergency, there would be very little difficulty in integrating SHAR STOVL ops into the ships flying programme. I’d also assume that the peacetime IN, sensibly, doesnt want to borrow the trouble of operating two very disparate types of fastjet on one space-constrained carrier without an absolute necessity to do so.
By: anni2016 - 14th March 2016 at 16:12
The STOBAR configuration for Vikramaditya effectively limits employment of superior performance AEW fixed wing assets thereby banking on support from AEW rotary wg types which shall be the KA 31.But anyway these are aparent limitations in such carriers.Otherwise force multipliers like the E 2C etc could have been considered.No more Sea Hariers to fly from this carrier now,they shift to land based operations.Aparently because the STOBAR arrestors might have interfered with a typical Sea Harrier deck VL,my guess.But anyway they are out for good.
By: Jinan - 21st February 2016 at 13:52
Agree. At least one. With a bitt of creativity a pair, just below the main radar, with 2 ELOP-gundirectors left and right on the side of the superstructur. The frontal arc defences could use some beefing up. Alternatively a second Elta’s EL/M-2221.
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March 28, 2011 at 4:37 pm
