Aerospace Diary

Posted by - Neelam Mathews Following the accidents of Mirage 2000 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Feb 24 and March 5 , all routine training flying on the Mirage 2000 fleet has been temporarily stopped as a precautionary measure, said AK Antony in Parliament on friday. Based on the results of the initial investigations of the accidents, certain checks have been instituted by the IAF. Commencement of flying of the Mirage 2000 fleet is being undertaken in stages post completion of checks, he added. During the last two years (2010-11 and 2011-12) and current financial year 2012-13 (upto 19.4.2012), two Mirage 2000 aircraft have crashed. Technical defect was the cause of both accidents. IAF has simulators for Kiran Mkl/IA, Hawk Mk-32, An-32 and Dornier aircraft which are being used as trainer aircraft. All these simulators are serviceable and the training syllabus includes flying training on these simulators. Further, simulators are being procured along with new induction o...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews March 26, 2012 Airbus Military has successfully completed receiver qualification of the two primary aircraft-types that the UAE Air Force will refuel from the three A330 MRTT multi role tanker transports that it currently has on order. In an extensive series of flight tests in Abu Dhabi, the compatibility of the new generation A330 MRTT with UAE Air Force Mirage 2000 and F-16 Block 60 fighters was fully demonstrated.                                 A UAE Air Force Mirage 2000 refuelling from a A330 MRTT Operating from Al Dhafra airbase, the aircraft performed air-to-air refuelling at speeds throughout the refuelling flight envelope, at a range of altitudes, and in turns, climbs and descents as well as level flight. Other versions of the F-16 have already been qualified with the A330 MRTT, but the...

March 5, 2012 One Mirage 2000 aircraft of IAF crashed Approx 60 kms short of Jaipur, in Dausa today  at about 1230 hrs.   The pilots, Squadron Leader Raj and Flight Lieutenant Kanav who got airborne from Gwalior airbase for routine flying sortie, ejected safely.   There is no reported damage to civil property or life. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause of the accident,says the IAF.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Dec 19, 2011 UPGRADATION OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT Contracts have been signed with M/s Thales, France, along with M/s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for upgrade of the Mirage 2000 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, with M/s HAL for upgrade of the Jaguar aircraft and with M/s RAC-MiG Russia for upgrade of the MiG-29 aircraft. These contracts are under implementation. The cost of the contract for upgrade of the Mirage 2000 with the M/s Thales, France is Euro 1470 million while the cost of the contract with HAL is 2020 crores.  The upgrade of the aircraft is expected to be completed by mid 2021.  The cost of upgrade of the MiG-29 aircraft is USD 964 million and it is expected to be completed by 2016.  The cost for upgrade of the Jaguar aircraft is Rs.3113.02 crores and the aircraft are expected to be upgraded by December 2017. JOINT VENTURE WITH MDL Formation of Joint Ventures have been put on hold by the Ministry till formulation of suitabl...