Aerospace Diary

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Nov 30, 2011 Defense Minister A.K Antony replies to queries- The contract for procurement of two aerostats was signed with Rafael, Israel on 15 lh March, 2002. The first Aerostat system was commissioned on 15 1h May, 2007 while the second Aerostat was commissioned on 15 lh May, 2008. While one aerostat system is working well, the other system was damaged due to sudden strong gust of wind on 27 lh May, 2009 and became non-operational. Steps have been initiated for recovery of the system. The CAG has commented on certain aspects of IAF's Aerostat Radars. Requisite action is being taken.                         The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has not invited India to become a partner in its missile defense program. The US has not offered India a partnership in the development of the world’s most advanced fighter plane, F-35 j...

 Neelam Mathews Defense Technology International Sep 01 , 2011 , p. 8 Printed headline: Indian Army Wants Aerostats The Indian army plans to release a global request for information for 12 aerostats of different sizes within the next 12 months. Responses are expected from major contractors such as Northrop Grumman , Lockheed Martin, Rosoboronexport , Rafael Advanced Defense Systems , BAE, Israel Aerospace Industries and Thales . There is, however, a growing trend to tap Indian companies for specialized product needs. (Photo shows local manufacturer Aurora Integrated Systems’ SkyView aerostat.) Unlike the Indian air force , which is looking at aerostats for strategic surveillance, air-defense control and reporting, and electronic/communication intelligence, the army wants aerostats to enhance long-range surveillance. According to an official, it is likely the army will also look at medium...

Neelam Mathews Aug. 12, 2011 Even as the Indian Army is expected to release an RFP for 12 aerostats of varying sizes within the next 11 months, increasingly, customized solutions for the Indian needs are being looked at. “For instance a 71m balloon gives a 500km coverage area. Often, domestic needs do not warrant such large ranges. They are more oriented towards a set of anticipated events such as crowd management,” says an industry observer. Increasingly, one is going to see more Indian companies enter this domain as the cost element of standardized platforms is high. An official tells Aerospace Diary that the T-Com systems, for instance, when supplied around seven years ago coast $84million each. Today the cost is down to $30 million each. As Indian companies come into the fray, electro optic sensors will continue to be imported. “Integration can be done locally,” says an official. “The commit, data package and weather monitoring systems are not a complicated set of payload...

Global Dispatches Jul 01 , 2010 , p. 30 Neelam Mathews New Delhi Printed headline: Seamless Links India is looking to acquire a range of surveillance systems for land and sea, as well as develop its own Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) systems and unmanned vehicles that will give what is reputed to be the second-largest littoral- and ground-surveillance force in the world access to greater capabilities. The country’s growing inventory of surveillance assets will soon include the recently ordered Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime aircraft, three Beriev A-50EI aircraft with Elta Phalcon AEW radar systems, the first of which was delivered in 2009, and Embraer AEWC aircraft with an Indian-developed radar. The military wants to expand its fleet of aerostats, and there is also interest in Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Hawkeye, payloads for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and local systems still in research and development. Many experts, however, are concerned about the degree of i...

Defense Aviation Week & Space Technology Jul 12 , 2010 , p. 33 Neelam Mathews New Delhi Printed headline: Airships Ahoy The Indian navy sent out its own RFI last year for five aircraft following the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Its interest is in keeping an eye on the nation’s 7,516-km.-long (4,670-mi.) coastline. Analysts say the Indian air force will need at least 11 more with an initial emphasis on monitoring the nation’s western and southwestern sectors. The army wants the largest ships, with envelope volumes ranging from 420K to 660K (420,000 to 660,000 cu. ft.), and is expected to release a request for proposals for 12 aerostats. (“K” is a measure of buoyancy.) Its goal is for them to carry payloads of 2,400 kg. (5,300 lb.) to 15,000-ft. heights maintained for 28 days and with a lookout range of 300 km. Lockheed Martin has begun talks with Indian authorities about deployment of aerostats rated from 8K to 660K and believes their use by U.S. forces in Afghanistan sho...