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HAL FGFA 2nd prototype

Someone used a transliterator to convert ‘Indian Air Force’ in devnagri script 🙂 (not that I am complaining).
It should be ‘भारतीय वायु सेना’

From Dr Saraswat’s presentation
– Astra can do 60g maneuvers.
– If Brahmos is flown at an altitude of 18 Kms without the low altitude maneuvering, the range can be as high as 600 Km (and yes, they are going to do an ‘exercise’ in that aspect).
– There are two production lines for Brahmos, one in Kerala and other in Hyderabad.
– AAD interceptor has 15 to 35g maneuver capability, and hence can take subsonic cruise missiles out with ease. System analysis shows that Brahmos level threats can be apprehended using AAD in cruise missile defence.
– CMD will require IIR seekers and automatic target recognition capabilities.
– The range of LFRJ cruise missile will be 600-1000 km, the problem lies with high density fuel.

There are good chances that the Tata-Airbus bid to build C295 in india will be green lighted.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-to-decide-on-Saturday-on-Tata-Airbus-bid-to-supply-56-transport-aircraft-to-IAF/articleshow/45198911.cms?

From Dr.Saraswat’s presentaion:-

Missile Launched PGM (MLPGM) using IIR and MMW seekers developed for Nag Program. (The mmw based PGM is already in testing and can be launched from UAVs). These munitions can be bunched up in a Prithvi missile and take out multiple targets simultaneously.

The radars in BMD program. Very impressive detection range against low rcs objects.:

In the BMD program they are vying for 99.8% kill probability by launching two interceptors per missile, per phase.

The AAD endo atmospheric interceptor from the BMD programs also might be a part of cruise missile defence (CMD) program.

Multiple kill vehicle payloads are being worked on:

Holy crap that thing is fugly.

Nic

If that thing’s fugly, you won’t find any attack helicopter appealing.

To change the subject – does anyone know what’s happening with the Jaguar re-engining?

“Under consideration”, last heard. Which is MoD speak for its in a coma. Last heard in May the negotiations were yet to start. Besides Darin III upgrade is reportedly having performance issues.

The third prototype, TD-3 has flown.

TD-3 prototype, Sept 2014
– features higher lift generating wing and lower vibration
– Wings are mounted at a higher point
– Smaller windows
– Height of cockpit reduced
– extra armour added on cockpit
– cold air intake and redesigned exhaust for IR signature reduction
– Built close to the production standard
– Weaponised prototype.

Expected date of entry into service, March 2016.

Improvised TD-3 set to spit fire
For CTP Wg Cdr Unni (Retd), it was just another feather in his cap with the successful first flight of LCH TD-3. Explaining the new features of LCH TD-3, Unni said that the chopper has a lifting wing now making it on par with the Mi-25 and Mi-35. In addition, the HAL designers have shortened the length of the chopper to improve the vibration characteristics.
The wings are now sitting slightly on a higher attachment point, compared to TD-1 and TD-2. “The cockpit was glassier earlier and now we have fixed armour plating on the sides, reducing the glass factor. Even the height of the cockpit has been reduced. The LCH TD-3 will be soon be integrated with weapons and it will have a busy schedule ahead carrying out trials. We have improved on many features, including the gear boxes of LCH TD-3,” Unni added.

Regarded as one of the ‘most daring’ helicopter Test Pilots in India, Unni said that LCH, once operational, can be a destructive platform at high altitudes. “This will be the chopper to watch out for in Siachen Glacier and some of the other border areas above 18,000 feet. The TD-1 and TD-2 together have completed around 390 flights so far, logging 280 hours. The rate of flying was less because we were ensuring that all changes on LCH were of the final configuration. The basic testing of the LCH has been completed. Only systems need to be tested on different modes now,” Unni added.

http://www.oneindia.com/india/rotorplus-hal-funded-lch-td-3-undergoes-first-flight-succes-1559566.html

After going for steep dive capabilities in Brahmos Block III, the Block IV will have “side slam” capabilities for targets hiding behind obstacles.
Bramhos-M, the miniature version will have anti radiation mode and IIR seeker built in.

So enter, BRAHMOS-M. “BRAHMOS-M will be a new design. A compact engine with better energy propellant which will not compromise on 300 km range; lighter weight with less diameter; speed of 3.3 Mach; and better packaging and routing of pipes with computer aided design and latest electronics.” To ascertain the feasibility of BRAHMOS-M, three steps have been initiated. One, HAL has done some preliminary studies. Two, DRDO has conducted design studies which will be shared with Russian NPOM partner. And three, Russia is willing to develop the new propulsion system keeping BrahMos aerospace in the loop. This is not all.

“The seeker for BRAHMOS-M will have sufficient redundancies to include anti-radiation, Radio Frequency and Imaging Infra-Red capabilities. The guidance in addition to the present G3 combination will also come from indigenous satellite navigation constellation — IRNSS — which will have a total of seven satellites of which three have been placed in space.”

The BRAHMOS-M with a weight of 1.4 tonne for the air force version and 1.6 tonne for the navy version will be a breakthrough. “We expect five BRAHMOS-M to be carried by Su-30 (two each on the wings and one on the belly), and two each missile with the Mig-29K and the fifth generation fighter aircraft being co-developed with Russia.” Moreover, in addition to the steep-dive capability with Block-III LACM, there will be Block–IV LACM with a “surround capability, to hit hidden targets laterally from the side of mountains.” BrahMos’s own research team at Hyderabad is already working on Block-IV LACM. Thus, “BRAHMOS-M is ready to be moved from the drawing board to real work once the government gives the green light.”

To stay ahead into this century, BrahMos envisages a hypersonic engine to replace the present supersonic. “It is envisaged to provide speed of Mach 5. It will follow different aerodynamic laws; and have different propulsion, materials, electronics, data links and suppliers,” says Mishra adding that, “We (BrahMos and DRDO) are already working on the engine and hope to test it in five years.”

What about exports, was the parting question. Sudhir Mishra replied with confidence: “India and Russia as equal partners have cleared six to seven friendly countries for BrahMos exports. It is up to the Modi government to take the call. BrahMos Aerospace is ready to deliver.”

http://www.forceindia.net/FocussedonFuture.aspx

Err…which shows R27s are still the primary a2a weapon of the Su30s for the IAF?

The number of R-27 in the inventory is fairly small compared to R-77. There was talk of purchasing new R-27 from Ukraine a couple of years back but no further info on it.