still don’t know why they want to put two M88/F414-class engines in a ‘5th gen’ platform to be fielded closer to 2030…

..because it is intended to be Rafale/Eurofighter/MiG-29 -ish in size.

Twinblade,

Seriously – if they do that, I will be mega surprised. One of the focus areas of the MMRCA was to get aircraft asap with the MMRCA…replacing the Spectra?

Seems doubtful, especially given the Mirage 2000 upgrade does not have an Indian made EW suite and will have the standard ICMS, again to save time and integration expense.

Perhaps they are referring to yet another Indian jammer being integrated onto the aircraft as an additional payload for enhanced coverage. All the latest Indian ones are integral to the aircraft (RWJ etc) but two were displayed as wingtop podded units for the Super 30 MKI model. Still don’t know whether those were from DARE or the Russian SAP pods though.

I wonder what AKM is referring to when he says BEL will get onboard for integration of SAR and EW suits(sic.)… since the SAR payload for UAVs is still under development by LRDE and a podded version is not (yet available) and the RBE-2 AA will itself have SAR.

If they are talking of integrating Israeli/third party SAR, why do they need BEL for that, confusing.

If I were to risk a guess, the first batch would be equipped with standard spectra. From subsequent blocks onwards they might replace the peripherals in Spectra by local substitutes (RWR, MLD, SSTRU, LWS) while keeping the core from the original spectra. I guess it will have to be one of those ‘wait and watch’ news snippets.

Any word whether Indian Rafale’s will have AESA or not?

AESA radar was one of the most vital requirements of the MMRCA. Rafale has anyhow moved on the AESA radars now, with the last PESA equipped Rafale rolled out this week (link).

As expected, Rafale might have an Indianised EW suite on-board.
http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1437528.ece

Sources told Express that the proposed MoU, likely to be signed during Aero India 2013, will be different from BEL’s existing JV with Thales. The MoU will get propelled when India’s Ministry of Defence signs the Rafale deal officially with Dassault. The MoU will enable BEL get onboard Rafale for the integration of the synthetic aperture radars (SAR) and electronic warfare (EW) suits, among others.

Guys, keep an eye out for details (especially you, Teer 🙂 )

Apologies for posting a video in the pics thread, but this Mirage-2000 video is awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15Jd1A5OPU&feature=player_embedded

[IMG]

2 LCH prototypes

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Guruvayoor: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said on Friday that it has completed development flights on two prototypes of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), towards basic system checks, air inlet survey and performance. Test flights for performance, handling qualities and measurement of loads have also been carried out at Bangalore and Chennai. “The sea-level trials carried out at Chennai were as per the script and the baseline reference data has been acquired. Towards complying crashworthy requirements, landing gear drop tests have been completed satisfactorily. Breakaway fuselage has been built and limit-load testing has been completed successfully,” HAL chairman R K Tyagi told Express.
When asked about the feedback from prototype flight testing, Tyagi said that various design improvements have been implemented to fine tune handling qualities, speed and vibration. “Further flight testing is under progress towards development and certification of basic systems. So, far both LCH technology demonstrators (TD-1 & TD-2) have completed 85 and 83 flights respectively,” Tyagi said.
To a query regarding the technology challenges being faced by HAL towards developing LCH, HAL chairman said that currently his team is focusing on validating design objectives, based on flight tests. “Based on the flight test results, necessary design improvements are being made. We haven’t faced any major technical problems so far,” he claimed. The LCH production variants are planned during the year 2015-16.
HAL plans to build the third prototype this year, incorporating all improvements. The integration of indigenous cockpit display system (Integrated Architecture and Display System), mission sensors and weapon systems are planned towards initial operational clearance (IOC) of LCH. “That’s the focus right now to get the IOC in place,” Tyagi added. HAL is yet to name the beast, but would do so soon, in consultation with its customer.
During the upcoming Aero India 2013, the LCH TD-2 (in camouflaged colours) will be at the static display area, while TD-1 will be doing the flying duties for HAL.

http://tarmak007.blogspot.in/2013/01/combat-chopper-programme-on-right.html

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The Indian Army will be handed over the first two weapon system integrated (WSI) version of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-Mk-IV) Rudra, during Aero India 2013. Confirming to Express on Thursday, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) chairman R K Tyagi said that Rudra will also be available for customer demonstration flights at show. “Rudra will definitely add more teeth to Indian Army and we will roll out more production units to the squadron,”Tyagi said. Express had earlier reported that around 70 Rudras will fly out of HAL to meet Army’s initial requirements.
“In addition to the redundant flight critical systems, IR suppressor, armour panels, crashworthy features, self-sealing fuel tanks enhance the survivability of the helicopter in the battlefield environment,” Tyagi said. Rudra can carry a mix of weapons, providing it with capability to search and destroy any target. Systems like electro-optic pod, helmet-mounted sight, fixed sight facilitating firing of the onboard weapons (20 mm turret gun, 70mm rockets and Air-to-Air missiles), makes Rudra an unforgiving machine.
He said Rudra’s rigid rotors have extremely high agility and manoeuvrability. With its higher powered engine, the chopper can undertake missions up to altitudes of 6 km. “With such capabilities, Rudra is unmatched in the world, in its class,” claims Tyagi.
Tyagi confirmed that HAL has plans to integrate additional new systems on Rudra, including Infra Red jammer, Data Link, obstacle avoidance system (for Army), wire cutter (for IAF) and NBC (Nuclear Biological and Chemical) sensors.
When asked about ALH Dhruv’s (earlier version of Rudra) export status, Tyagi said three more countries have shown interest in these choppers. Over 130 Dhruv helicopters are in operation now, with Indian Army flying 110 and 12 with Indian civil operators. Ecuador, Nepal, Mauritius and Maldives also operate Dhruv choppers.

http://tarmak007.blogspot.in/2013/01/hal-to-hand-over-2-rudra-choppers-to.html

India signs deal with GE for 99 F-414 engines for the Tejas Mk2, plus 100 options.

link

That works out to $54 million for 99 engines..that’s a LOT cheaper than reports in the past that put the F-414 engine price at around $1 million + apiece..and this with ToT for maintaining the engines in India.

I think Vikas is right, you are missing a zero there 😉