Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Nov 30, 2016 One of the original batch of LCAs on display at the Aero India show in 2015. (Photo: Neelam Mathews) India’s Ministry of Defense has cleared an order for 83 Light Combat Aircraft ( LCA ), designated Mk1A, from government-owned defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) for the Indian Air Force ( IAF ).   HAL   currently has in hand an order for 40   GE   F404 -engined   LCA s for the   IAF . Of the 20 to be produced with an initial operational clearance, three have been delivered and the fourth is scheduled to be handed over by early next year. Twenty more will be supplied once they receive the final operational clearance ( FOC ) by end of 2017. HAL   says it will increase production from eight to 16 a year “once a formal order is received for the 83 Mk1As.”   IAF   Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha said last year: “We want the   LCA   Mk1A with an improved radar [Elta's ...

by  Neelam Mathews  -  November 2, 2016, 12:26 PM Lockheed Martin released this artist’s impression of an F-16 in Indian air force colors in 2011, when the type was previously evaluated for the MMRCA contract. (Image: Lockheed Martin) After  confirming the acquisition  of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters off-the-shelf from France, India has invited proposals from the U.S., Sweden and Russia to transfer technology and produce a single-engine fighter in-country. The latest move seems to preclude any “Make in India” offers from Dassault for the twin-engine Rafale, as well as Eurofighter (for the Typhoon) or Boeing (for the F/A-18). India has a requirement for approximately 100 more fighters. The invitation was in the form of letters handed to the ambassadors of the three countries. Lockheed Martin has already responded, offering an upgraded “F-16 Block 70.” It is believed that Saab will follow, with an offer for the Gripen E. It is unclear what Russia mi...

Neelam Mathews Nov 22, 2012 Cassidian an EADS company, has developed a new generation of transmit & receive modules which give the new AESA radars with electronic beam scanning (AESA - Active Electronically Scanned Array) previously unattained performance. The multi-mode and multi-tasking capabilities of AESA antennas can be enhanced on a sustained basis while at the same time significantly reducing production costs. The new technology offers operational advantages for the customer that Cassidian can expect AESA radars to be used in many fields of reconnaissance and surveillance in future. The products using the new TRMs include the Eurofighter’s future e-scan radar, the security radars in the Spexer family as well as spaceborne earth observation radars. “Our new-generation modules increase radar performance, while the cost of production is reduced by more than 30 percent,” says Dr. Elmar Compans, head of the Sensors & Electronic Warfare unit at Cassidian. In...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Oct 22, 2012

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Aug 16, 2012 Embraer Defense and Security has delivered the first EMB 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) class of aircraft to the Government of India at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The delivery follows successful completion of ground and flight tests of the aircraft which met operational targets established by both Embraer and Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) of Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO). Later, the aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force after integration of missions systems of DRDO by CABS in India. “The collaboration with DRDO in such a complex program strengthens the ties between Brazil and India”, said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President & CEO of Embraer Defense and Security. “We are very proud to meet the expectations of our clients in providing CABS, DRDO with this platform.” “This EMB 145 AEW&C features major capabilities such as in-flight refueling...