Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  - March 27, 2015, 7:42 AM India has bought three EMB-145s and equipped them with an indigenous AEW&C system but will not acquire any more Credit-Neelam Mathews India is seeking a joint-venture deal with Embraer to export the EMB-145 AEW&C system, now that it has decided on a larger platform to meet Indian Air Force (IAF) requirements. The country has acquired three of the Brazilian aircraft  and equipped them with an indigenous radar system . They are now undergoing trials, and two will enter service with the IAF. But the service will not exercised an option to acquire more such aircraft. Meanwhile, however, India is evaluating responses to the  RFP that was issued last year  for six larger platforms. S. Christopher, director of the Center for AirBorne Systems (CABS) within the government’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), told AIN that the...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS The IAF currently operates three A-50EI aircraft, which are Ilyushin Il-76s outfitted with IAI Phalcon radar and mission control systems. (Photo: Indian Air Force) April 10, 2014, 8:00 AM Although India already operates two types of airborne early warning aircraft, the country’s air force is pressing ahead with a program to procure a third platform with extended range, longer endurance and higher operational altitude performance. A request for proposal ( RFP ) has been released to original equipment manufacturers by the Ministry of Defence’s Centre for Airborne Systems ( CABS ) for the supply of six “aircraft with necessary structural modifications, power and endurance adaptations and equipment installation/installation provisions for the Awacs (airborne warning and control system)(India) role, and certified as per  FAR  25 or equivalent.” The bids will be opened on July 15. With  CABS ...

Neelam Mathews Sept 6, 2012 India is looking to buy seven more AEWs from E mbraer Defense and Security if the present project for the first three procured is completed on time and seamlessly integrated, a senior analyst at a defense lab told Aerospace Diary. The first EMB 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) class of aircraft was delivered to the Government of India at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil recently. The delivery followed 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). The aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force after integration of missions systems of DRDO by CABS in India and inaugurated on Sept 19. It will be on show on Oct 8 at Hindon during the air force day. However, this could not be confirmed. “This (integration) will not be ca...

Neelam Mathews Aug 24, 2012 The first fully modified aircraft for indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems landed at CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems, Bangalore, a DRDO laboratory) at HAL airport.     The acceptance of the Aircraft was completed over a period of 15 days at Embraer facilities in Brazil by a team from CABS, its work centers, CEMILAC, DGAQA & IAF. “The aircraft ferried with several mission system external components of DRDO including the Active Electronically scanned Array Antenna with passive electronics fitted on the Aircraft,” said a statement. Following integration of the DRDO developed mission system, development flight trials in India will be held in 2013. The contract for the first aircraft delivered by Embraer was signed in 2008. The next aircraft is expected to arrive in December 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...

Press Release April 5, 2012 The maiden flight of the second fully modified aircraft for the indigenously developed Indian Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) was held on April 4, at the San Jose dos Campos in Brazil. The necessary mission systems and components including the dummy AAAU (Active Antena Array Unit) are successfully fitted onboard Embraer EMB 145I aircraft. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary Depttof Defense R&D and DG DRDO, said the “modified aircraft fitted with the dummy antenna unit performed very well.” This marks an important milestone in the AEW&C program as this aircraft will be delivered in June 2012 to India. The other mission systems will then be integrated on to the aircraft and Mission System flight trials are likely to commence from Nov 2012.  G Elangovan, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller Res & Dev (Avionics), DRDO in his message after the successful flight congratulated the entire team of CABS and ...