RayRIAF to become leaner and meaner
NEW DELHI: T he Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to emerge as a more potent force in the next five to 10 years with the modernisation of its fighter planes at a cost of about Rs. 20,000 crore.
Officers say the squadron strength will keep falling because retirements, mostly of MiG variants, will outstrip inductions. However, the remaining fighter craft will be faster, have better detection and combat systems and more endurance.
The upgradation plan, parts of which are already under implementation, is scheduled for five more years and will involve the modernisation of 300 aircraft. Several aircraft in the inventory will either be retired or made to serve the remaining years of service life.
Negotiation on
The modernisation plan is in addition to the induction of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, at the rate of 14 new aircraft annually for the next eight to nine years.
The IAF is also negotiating for 12 used Mirage fighters from Qatar. France, the manufacturer of Mirage jets, is expected to quarterback the deal. A French team was here to explore the possibility of selling upgraded Mirage fighters too.
The IAF also plans to add six mid-air re-fueller tankers to the six existing Mirage craft. These planes will nearly double the flight endurance of fighter planes.
Decommission plans
Three MiG variants — 66, 77 and 96 — that had to be retired a decade ago, are now getting decommissioned, as 125 MiG-21 BiS are being upgraded. This is to ensure that at least half the number of MiG fleet remains operational for another decade.
The IAF is also involved with public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in upgrading 135 MiG-27s by the end of 2009. Hundred and forty Jaguars, of Anglo-British origin, are getting equipped with potent missiles and high-tech navigation systems. In addition, 40 Mirage-2000s will also be upgraded. By next year, India will receive a potent force multiplier in the form of AWACS, becoming the only country in the region to possess these radar-mounted planes that can detect and identify all activity in the air for a radius of over 300 km.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/23/stories/2006102314671100.htm
RayRNormally in lot places reference like RCS of 5m3 is used for radar range. So a fighter like Mig-29, is it by itself 5m3 or with pylons or with some basic load fo pylons, pods and some weapons.
What I wanted to know if possible is that in a RCS very roughy how much is contributed by weapon, fuel, pods etc type of load hanging outside the aircraft.
For instance rafale is said to have very low RCS like 0.5m3 (?) but then roughtly how much weapons outside will contribute?
All of the RCS quoted are for “clean” configuration only,i.e.without any external ammo/pod/tanks etc.
And i guess the RCS increase with external load depends on that particular load and will vary.
RayRCame across this news recently can some one clarify what is Bison Radar specs, these are from , what ever the source
http://www.aeronautics.ru/nws001/fi021.htm
A prototype MAPO/ Sokol MiG-21-93 upgrade has shot down an aerial target with a beyond-visual-range Vympel RVV-AE missile (R-77/AA-12 Adder). The active radar-guided RVV-AE and Phazotron Kopyo (Spear) light-weight multimode radar are key elements of the MiG-21-93 upgrade being developed for Indian air force aircraft.
A subsonic target was destroyed in a direct hit by the RVV-AE, which was fitted with a telemetry package in place of the warhead. The launch was made at 12km (6nm) in a head-on engagement. The target was at 20,000ft (6,100m) and the fighter at 13,000ft. The test was intended to include two firings, the second with in armed missile, but its launch was cancelled following destruction of the target.
The Kopyo radar has a 57km detection range against a 5 m^2 (54ft^2) radar cross section, or fighter-sized target. It can track eight targets and shoot at two simultaneously. A target shoot down using the Vympel R-73 (AA- 11 Archer) infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missile was completed in April. Test firings of the Vympel R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) semi-active radar air-to-air missile and Zvezda Kh-25MP (AS-12 Kegler) antiradar missile are planned.
Alexander Manucharov, MAPO chief designer and the MG-21-93 programme leader says that about half the planned test flights have been completed, while the development and evaluation programme is on schedule. Manucharov expresses concern about the low reliability of avionics components supplied by Indian industry.
Meanwhile, Peru has ordered 30 RVV-AEs. Design bureau Vympel, which normally builds only prototype weapons, says the low production volume means it will build the missiles. Peru acquired secondhand MAPO MiG-29 Fulcrums from Belarus in 1995, and later signed a maintenance contract with MAPO that includes an upgrade to carry the long-range missile.”
According to ACIG,the Kopyo M has Detection range of 72kms with T_A=10:2.
RayRThat powerplant won’t last long in an environment of trashfire, AAA, MANPADs and battlefield SAMs. 😉
May be the turbo fan version?
RayRAccording to ACIG,the confirmed kills of the VVS by the PAF are as follows….
4Aug88 14 Sqn F-16A 85-725 A. Bokhari AIM-9L Su-25 V-FA (pilot Rutskoiy)
Thats only it.
there are some close call and damaged entries..
11Feb86 15 Sqn F-6 A.Hussein MiG-23M V-VS
12Apr86 15 Sqn F-6 S.Kamal acquired by AIM-9P Su-25 V-VS
12Apr86 15 Sqn F-6 S.Kamal acquired by AIM-9P Su-25 V-VS
12Apr86 15 Sqn F-6 K.Chaudry acquired by AIM-9P Su-25 V-VS**
14May86 18 Sqn Mirage 5PA Q.Sulemany 30mm Mi-24 V-VS (missed)
14May86 18 Sqn Mirage 5PA Nawaz 30mm Mi-24 V-VS (missed)
19Jun86 9 Sqn F-16A A.H.Qadri acquired MiG-23MLD V-VS
12Sep88 14 sqn F-16A 85-728 K. Mahmood AIM-9L MiG-23MLD “55” 120. IAP/V-PVO (damaged)
So
one Su 25 kill
Plus
Two damaged mig23s
Three Su25,Two Mi24s(missed),and another Mig23 acquired.
RayRThat was a really good compilation stealthspy.
But that Indian GPS will be IRNSS.
IRS is Indian remote sensing satellite.
RayRI thought you might like this one Mario.
1:72 scale and radio controlled.
Unicorn
Whoa those are really niiiiiicee.did u make them?
RayRwhat’s the occassion? what’s with the cigar!?
then & now…
what will be the next ‘Warthog?’
Next….
😀
RayRIt might have been easier to retrofit Israeli radar sets to the surplus RN Sea Harriers, and perhaps the additional space and volume provided for avionics would have made the upgrade cheaper than retrofitting the IN’s own older Sea Harriers. Some of the airframes on offer were less than a decade old, far younger that the IN’s own well worn Sea Harriers.
The UK was right not to export the Blue Vixen to India, at least from the standpoint of non-proliferation. Why offer nearly free technical assistance to a nuclear power like India? It is clear that possession of Blue Vixen radar sets would have been useful for India’s own MMR program.
India should have snapped up these Sea Harrier airframes, as offered. Instead, money is being spent on older, less serviceable Sea Harriers and the very riskly MiG-29K purchase.
India could have gone for the Harriers but in this case i think that the Navy is thinking in the terms of gradually saying goodbye to old less capable aircrafts(harrier) and inducting new capable aircraft(mig 29k) and eventually the Naval-LCA.
And about the Blue Vixen,India doesnt need the Blue vixen to develop the MMR.Even if it needed some help there are a wide variety of radars available to choose from.Plus i think Israel would be more than happy to help in this regard.
And IMO the Mig29K has been a really good purchase for the IN.This operating of such a capable aircraft will go a long way towards fulfilling INs goal of becoming a blue water force.
RayRd) Last….weaponised dhruvs and their loadout….understand will be carrying Nag AGTMs IIR which have started limited production…..any range of AAM’s to be carried as forecast on the LCH?
Nag integration on dhruv started already?
and IF any AAMs to be carried on the LCH,its gotta be IR ones…R73.
RayROriginally posted by Greenday1
I cant give you the name or contact details.
I can say Flt Lt,pilot, 43Sqd, been to Canada, Falklands and based at Leachurs. University friend.
There is no way I am giving out his name on an open forum.
Then please stop claiming what you cannot prove.How many more times will you do that?are you aiming for a Guiness record or something?
RayROriginally posted by Greenday1
Lets look at air to air combat kills in 1971 and 1965. PAF comes out top. Yes or no?
Rather than the kills,the Role played by any country’s AF and how it helped to win/make a decisive impact on the outcome of a war is of more importance.
Well, you maynot be familiar with the word “win”.
RayRThe list is getting longer by the day…
1.Amraams on the JF17
2.6-8 chinese awacs for induction
3.RAF got Su30 kills
4……….
5………..
RayRTrishul missile not scrapped: Pranab
New Delhi: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday denied that the home-grown Trishul ship defence missile system had been scrapped, saying the project had in fact been extended beyond is original completion date of December-end.
“I would like to point out that the Trishul project has not been shelved,” Mukherjee said on the sidelines of the ongoing conference of Indian Navy commanders in New Delhi.
Admitting that the project was to have been completed by December-end, Mukherjee said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had sought an extension and he had granted this on September 29.
“Therefore, there is no question of shelving that project,” he added. Mukherjee, however, did not say till when the project had been extended.
The media had on Tuesday splashed reports quoting an official spokesperson as saying the Trishul project, initiated 22 years ago and on which Rs 3 billion has been spent, would be scrapped by December-end. The missile has repeatedly failed in test flights conducted over the past few years.
The delay in inducting the Trishul had prompted the Indian Navy to opt for the Israeli Barak system, whose purchase six years ago has led to charges of corruption against the then defence minister George Fernandes.
Referring to this, Mukherjee lamented that the focus was being shifted to merits of the Barak system.
“It is not about the merit or demerit of a weapon system, it is about whether the procedures have been duly followed and whether there is any criminality in the transaction,” he maintained.
Pointing out that the CBI had filed charges against Fernandes only on these two issues, Mukherjee added: “But the entire media focus is whether a particular system is good or bad – this is not the issue. The issue is totally different.”
The Indian Navy on Monday came out strongly in defence of the Barak system, saying there was “nothing comparable” to it anywhere in the world.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/trishul-missile-not-scrapped-pranab/24182-3.html
RayRi dont know where from ugot those pix Harry,but i think i saw some of them in various orkut profiles.
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