Aerospace Diary

By  Neelam Mathews   Nov 5, 2015 India’s own MALE UAV is shown during recent taxi trials. It is named Rustom-2 after an Indian aeronautical scientist. (Photo: HAL) The Rustom-2 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization   (DRDO) will make its first flight by early next month. Delayed by around two years, Rustom-2 “is at an advanced state of readiness,” according to Ashok Rangan, the program director at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO laboratory that develops and transfers technology to a production agency. The project was   first shown   as a full-scale model at the Aero India show in 2010. Rangan told   AIN   that Rustom-2 is benefiting from experience gained with the Rustom-1, also known as the Light Canard Research Aircraft (LCRA). This project of the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) developed a small UAV tha...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS March 12, 2014, 1:53 PM Rolls-Royce is looking to expand its engine component manufacturing activities in India, possibly adding new product lines and increasing the size of the facilities at its International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt Ltd ( IAMPL ) operation in Bangalore, which already makes parts for the Trent 700 turbofan. One option being considered is to begin licensed production of components for the  AE  2100D3 military turbofan. IAMPL  is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. ( HAL ), and the two partners are considering whether to increase the size of the existing 77,500-sq-ft facility or relocate to a new site in the same Bangalore aerospace park. The company currently ships more than 130 different engine compressor parts to Rolls-Royce’s main aero engines factory in Derby,  UK . Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is to supply the M250- B17F /2 turboprop engine...

AIN NEWS LIVE FROM AEROINDIA  »  2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS February 5, 2013, 7:27 AM India’s bid to design and develop its own indigenous civil aircraft is once again under discussion. According to government sources, a new policy decision is expected on the civil aircraft program by February 12. “We would like the model to be a public private partnership [ PPP ] under a special purpose vehicle. We are also looking for a foreign partner,” an official with the country’s National Aerospace Laboratories told   AIN . When queried whether Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) could handle another program when it is already weighed down by 12 projects he said, “Not all units of HAL  are occupied.” Meanwhile,  NAL ’s twin-turboprop Saras, the first Indian multi-purpose civil aircraft in the light transport aircraft category, is finally set to fly in the next two months. The certification basis for the n...

Safety Aviation Daily Apr 26 , 2010 , p. 17 Neelam Mathews Findings released by the Indian Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following the crash 13 months ago of a National Aerospace Laboratories-designed (NAL),14-seat light transport aircraft have revealed several safety lapses. The report found that “there is no meaningful and effective supervision and control on the Saras project by DGCA.” The findings make it increasingly clear that the design and development of the Saras, intended for domestic use by commercial passenger and cargo operators, will be delayed. The crash killed three Indian air force pilots.The aircraft was powered by two turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney. While there was no evidence of any defect or malfunction in the aircraft due to maintenance procedures, there were general controllability issues in the accident. The report says an incorrect engine relight procedure devised by the designer, and adopted by the crew at insufficient altitud...

News Aviation Daily Mar 10 , 2010 , p. 11 Neelam Mathews Bengaluru, India-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has frozen the design of a five-seat turboprop aircraft developed as part of a public/private partnership with the Mahindra & Mahindra Group (M&M). With the weight within limits and critical design completed, the prototype of the NM5-100, which is awaiting certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, is scheduled to fly early in 2011. Meanwhile, NAL’s regional transport aircraft is awaiting the government’s nod, which may take some time considering it is awaiting a report from the DGCA concerning an accident of a NAL-designed, 14-seat Saras during a test flight last year that killed three Indian air force pilots. Saras was powered by two turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney and was to replace the air force’s aging Dornier 228 transport aircraft fleet. NM5-100 is designed to be easily converted for passenger, training or cargo oper...