more of NP-1 !

Tejas LSP and PVs to head to Goa for another round of weapons trials for IOC-2. And LSP-8 may have its first flight next month.

link

Hollande wants to create more jobs for French workers, so he may don’t like the contract for Indian MMRCA right now (100% transfer of Rafale’s techonology to Indian to let them produce Rafale by themselves after selling only 18 “French workers made” Rafales to IAF….).

And I am worry that if he tries to renegotiate the contract of MMRCA, will he finally screw Rafale’s chance in India up totally ?

If he tries to re-negotiate the work share then I’m afraid he’ll be opening the door to Cassidian to get a foot in. Already the MMRCA contract is in limbo while some douche bag’s complaint is looked into.

the fundamental flaw in the comparison is that they are not in the same class at all. the Dhruv is a 5.5 ton helicopter while the Z-11 is in the light utility helicopter class, which the Ecureuil/Fennec (the same heli from which the Z-11 is derived) is. Naturally the cost will also be a function of the number of engines and the heli’s weight and payload capability.

In India itself, the Fennec is taking part in a tender to replace Cheetah helicopters of the IA and IAF, while both the services’ air arms are continuing to induct more of the heavier Dhruv.

ADA/HAL and NFTC to get help from the US Navy for the testing phase of the N-LCA

link to article

The Indian Navy, along with ADA, has sought the help of the United States Navy to share its expertise while resolving some of these issues, although the US will not have full privy to the design and development of the indigenous aircraft.

“With the US having over half-a-century of experience in developing and maintaining carrier-borne aircraft, we are getting valuable help from to resolve issues, especially with the undercarriage and related problems,” a source familiar with the developments said.

Sources in the Navy said the US Navy is not being paid for the consultancy as the arrangement is a government-to-government arrangement. “We only take care of their travel accommodation and other requirements,” a source said.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed for the purpose, the US consultancy will not cover design-specific or commercial aspects.

It is specifically for carrier-borne operations and they are also helping Team LCA with crucial technologies like the ski jump take off and arrest landing ..

Speaking to Deccan Herald, ADA Chief P S Subrahmanya said: “The US Navy Carrier Suitability Test Team is, in fact, conducting audits of our test findings which has been very beneficial for us given the fact that this is India’s first attempt at developing a carrier-borne fighter.”

Who knows whats included in the $10,000 per hour figure?
What I find far more interesting is the Gripen/Hawk comparison. The Hawk costing $6,000 per hour means Gripen is only 2/3 more expensive to run than a trainer.

Why don’t you tell us what you think what is included in the $10,000 per hour cost to operate (not cost to own)? Cost of fuel, liquids, possibly spares, maintenance..the SwAF claimed that these were all included in their $3000/hour cost of operating the Gripen. What do you think the South Africans do that costs them an additional $7000 per hour?

Agni-V missile..launch is approaching.

article in The Hindu

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) created Agni V by adding a third stage to Agni III, a missile with a range of 3,500 km while carrying a 1.5 tonne payload that was first successfully tested five years ago.

Both Agni III and V have a diameter of two metres, making them capable of carrying several warheads known as Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV). (Agni I and II have a diameter of one metre and the first stage of the Agni IV has a diameter of 1.2 metres.)

Firing MIRVs requires what is known as a “Post Boost Control Vehicle,” a manoeuvrable platform that sits atop the rocket and holds the warheads. After the missile has lofted it into a ballistic trajectory, the platform must be able to release each warhead with the orientation and velocity needed to reach its target.

As India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has already demonstrated the ability to put multiple satellites into orbit in the course of a single launch, developing a Post Boost Control Vehicle should be technologically straightforward. However, developing compact nuclear warheads could be a significant hurdle in acquiring MIRV capability. Published information on U.S. systems suggests that each re-entry vehicle will need to weigh less than 500 kg. First generation missile-borne nuclear warheads typically weigh twice as much.

India now has a range of nuclear-capable Agni missiles in its arsenal, starting with Agni I that can strike targets 700 km away. These missiles use solid propellants and can therefore be launched at short notice. They are also carried on mobile launchers, making it more difficult for an enemy to locate and destroy them.

From what I gathered the IAF Jocks didn’t consider the Tornado F3 to be a major threat, however it certainly should never be underestimated & it was stated that they were ‘very, very impressed’ with the Typhoon, especially with its performance, power and it’s Captor-M radar, (which wasn’t even fully exploited by the RAF Typhoon pilots).

I’ve read the articles and it was stated that they were “impressed”. You’ve added an additional 2 “very very” of your own. the RAF was stated as being impressed by the MKI’s agility as well. And in ID-2007, the IAF sent a mix of relatively new and experienced pilots to the UK, whereas the RAF side was comprised mostly of experienced aviators.

link

And even the Eurofighter World edition didn’t use the kind of hyperbole that you’re using regarding ID-2010. They did state that exercise restraints meant that the BVR capabilities couldn’t be fully utilised, but the IAF pilots were impressed with the clear situational awareness picture provided by the Typhoon in its cockpit. Where did you find this thing about the IAF pilots being “very very impressed” with the Captor M?

link

There was also a hell of a lot of reliable sources reporting the Typhoon was technically leading the race and a handful of others stating it was favoured by many in India, however, costs weren’t mentioned during these times which are the deciding, somewhat ‘sole’, factor in the competition.

Only by those who belonged to the Eurofighter consortium. Considering its lack of maturity in the A2G domain, there was no way it was “leading” the race.