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16 octobre 2015 5 16 /10 /octobre /2015 06:25
source Livefist

source Livefist

 

Oct 14, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Associated Press; issued Oct 14, 2015)

 

QUITO, Ecuador --- Ecuador says it's unilaterally ending a contract with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which sold seven military helicopters to the South American nation.

At least four of the Dhruv helicopters delivered between 2009 and 2012 have crashed. One was assigned to transport President Rafael Correa, though he wasn't in the aircraft at the time.

Defense Minister Fernando Cordero announced the action during a news conference Wednesday. He said two of the crashes were caused by mechanical failures. The three remaining Dhruv have been grounded. (end of excerpt)


Click here for the full story, on the Yahoo News website.

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24 mars 2015 2 24 /03 /mars /2015 12:35
C-130J  photo IAF

C-130J photo IAF

 

March 24, 2015 by Saurav Jha – Geek at large

 

Ever since the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued its 2009 directive to prepare the military for a two front war, there has been a heightened sense of urgency in acquiring transport platforms that can move men and materiel over considerable distances at short notice. Prior to this, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami had also brought to light the need to bring in longer ranged airborne platforms that can sustain humanitarian support across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

 

Accordingly, the Indian Air force (IAF) is recapitalizing its entire transport fleet with a view to becoming more potent in out of area operations besides being able to support the Indian Army's (IA's) ever growing logistical requirements.

 

While in the short term, quick buys of American platforms through the foreign military sales (FMS) route such as Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed Martin's C-130Js have been effected, it is clear that the IAF's requirements need to be actually used to spur the progressive indigenization of its transport aircraft pool. Moreover the IAF's transport aircraft needs could well be used to seed a second domestic original equipment maker (OEM) besides HAL from within India's private sector.

 

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6 mars 2015 5 06 /03 /mars /2015 08:55
photo S. Randé - Dassault Aviation

photo S. Randé - Dassault Aviation

 

05 mars 2015 Par Hassan Meddah - Usinenouvelle.com

 

Pour Eric Trappier, PDG de Dassault Aviation, la vente de 24 appareils à l'Egypte permet de stabiliser les emplois sur la chaîne de fabrication du Rafale. En cas de nouveau contrat, l'avionneur pourrait doubler ses cadences de production.

 

En marge de la visite du président de la République le 4 mars dernier à l'usine d'assemblage des Rafale de Mérignac (Gironde), Eric Trappier, PDG de Dassault Aviation, a confié un certain optimisme pour la signature d'un nouveau contrat dans le courant de cette année. S'il ne veut pas parler d'une signature imminente, il évoque "des chances certaines d'en faire un deuxième en 2015"

Le récent contrat de vente de 24 appareils à l'Egypte a changé la donne et pourrait accélérer les négociations avec l'Inde, le Qatar, les Emirats Arabes Unis, la Malaisie. "Un certain nombre de pays qui sont très intéressés. Ils étaient déjà très intéressés par le seul fait que le Rafale est opérationnel sur un certain nombre de théâtres d'opération. A cette réussite opérationnelle s'ajoute maintenant une réussite commerciale", se réjouit Eric Trappier.

 

Finaliser le contrat

Le dirigeant est revenu sur le contrat indien. Les négociations pour la vente de 126 Rafale durent depuis plus de trois ans.

"L'armée de l'air indienne est extrêmement satisfaite avec les définitions techniques. Nous avons finalisé nos accords industriels avec le grand partenaire industriel HAL qui doit fabriquer une grande partie des avions localement, assure le dirigeant. Nous avons un partage contractuel des tâches sur lequel nous nous sommes mis d'accord. Maintenant il nous faut finaliser le contrat avec le ministère indien de la défense."

 

Doubler le rythme de production ? 

Le PDG a également fait le point sur la charge industrielle du site de Mérignac où 1200 personnes travaillent à la production des jets d'affaires Falcon et des Rafale. Environ 80 ingénieurs, techniciens et compagnons sont mobilisés directement sur la ligne d'assemblage de l'avion de combat. L'usine doit encore produire une cinquantaine d'avions pour l'armée française, auxquels s'ajoutent les 24 appareils égyptiens. 

"Ce type de contrat à l'exportation a une incidence immédiate sur la stabilisation de l'emploi. Du fait d'une certaine substitution des livraisons entre les deux pays, cela donne un plan de charge en flux qui reste le même mais qui dure plus longtemps", explique le dirigeant. En cas de signature d'un second contrat à l'exportation, l'avionneur pourrait doubler son rythme de production en sortant deux appareils par mois.

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2 mars 2015 1 02 /03 /mars /2015 17:35
Indian Light Combat Copter Goes Through Cold Tests


March 2, 2015 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist
 

Cold weather trials of India's Light Combat Helicopter were carried out at Air Force Station, Leh early last month. “The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude”, HAL chairman T. Suvarna Raju has said in a statement. The engine starts were satisfactory in the temperature of minus 18 degree C at 4.1 km, the flights were also carried out to assess high altitude performance and low speed handling, the statement said.

 

The LCH prototype, TD2 was ferried from Bangalore to Leh and the flight trials were carried out involving customer pilots from Air Force and Army and with the participation of representatives from RCMA (H/c) and DGAQA (H/c).

 

“Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Technology Demonstrator TD-3 made its maiden flight in November last year and the TD-4 is likely to fly soon. The IOC is expected in the later part of this year and to achieve this we are concentrating on building more prototypes and increase the number of flights to reduce the lead-time for IOC”, Raju said.

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2 mars 2015 1 02 /03 /mars /2015 12:35
Pilatus PC-7 Mk.2 - photo Livefist

Pilatus PC-7 Mk.2 - photo Livefist

 

February 28, 2015 by Shiv Arror - Livefist


The Indian Ministry of Defence has just approved the Indian Air Force's move to exercise options on its original basic trainer deal (for 75 aircraft) with Pilatus Aircraft and will shortly sign up for 38 more. Of a total of 181 basic trainers the IAF has said it needs, the original Pilatus PC-7 Mk.2 order takes care of 75 aircraft.

The remaining 106 aircraft were to be HAL's in-development HTT-40 propeller trainer that's all set to take-off for the first time this month. With the IAF approved to exercise options on 38 more PC-7s, HAL's platform will meet the remaining requirement: 68 aircraft. Indications are, however, that that number will be cranked up to make the project more viable in the near term.

An IAF-HAL-MoD committee is being set up to monitor the HTT-40 programme. The HTT-40 prototype is all set for its first flight in June.

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2 mars 2015 1 02 /03 /mars /2015 11:35
Rafale photo Dassault Aviation

Rafale photo Dassault Aviation

 

February 25, 2015 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist


The Indian government is understood to have made it clear that it is no longer a question of whether Dassault Aviation will underwrite the 108 Rafales that HAL proposes to license-build in Bengaluru (a top MoD official indicated to Livefist that the RFP was explicit about this), but a question of how it will do so. Yesterday's hour-long deliberations at the MoD involved discussions on possible options. In very limited conversations with all sides, the following threads become apparent:

  • Dassault and HAL will need to hammer down licensee/licensor modalities that will pave the way for a possibly complex matrix of agreements on the central issue of liability. It's clear now. It is this set of agreements that will provide a solution to the guarantee issue. The question is how long it would take to do this.
  • Second, the extent of inspection and post-manufacture testing of equipment at HAL that would be the minimum required for Dassault to underwrite HAL-built jets.
  • Whether there are any financial implications to additional understandings between HAL and Dassault for the process of underwriting jets produced on the former's production line in Bengaluru. Also, financial implications of the transfer of liability as a result of any additional agreements between HAL and Dassault.
  • Both sides appear committed to finding a solution before Prime Minister Modi's visit to Paris in April, but is that a realistic time-frame? Sources suggest HAL and Dassault have already held extensive discussions on the liability issue and should be in a position to move quickly.
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27 février 2015 5 27 /02 /février /2015 08:35
HAL's Light Utility Copter - photo Livefist

HAL's Light Utility Copter - photo Livefist

 

February 19, 2015 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist

 

HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), under development to meet a requirement of at least 187 light reconnaissance and utility rotorcraft for the Indian Air Force and Indian Army is all set for its first flight in August. An internal target of July has been set for the sole current prototype at HAL's Helicopter Division to lift off in July, though sources confirm that August is likely to be when it will happen. The LUH prototype (two more will be built for the flight test programme) has been in a routine of ground testing for weeks now. The LUH mock-up on display at Aero India this year is in Indian Army colours, and has been a source of interest for quite a few foreign delegations at the show this year. Quick news points:

 

  • The first LUH prototype will fly in August, officially kickstarting flight test.

  • HAL aims for final operational clearance in 2017, and begin deliveries to the Indian Army and IAF by the end of that year. 

  • The LUH sports a new jointed foldable rotor system (see photo), designed and built in-house

  • to meet the Indian Navy's deck requirements. Significantly, the rotor will be made available on future Dhruv ALH constructions and re-offered to the Indian Navy.

  • For a proposed naval version, HAL says it will offer a wheeled version of the LUH.

  • The LUH cockpit is almost entirely an Indian glass cockpit, with components and systems sources completely from the Indian private sector, and mission computer software modified from the Dhruv's.

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23 février 2015 1 23 /02 /février /2015 20:35
photo Livefist

photo Livefist

 

23.02.2015 avionslegendaires.net
 

Voilà une information qui pourrait peut-être assurer (enfin) la finalisation du contrat MMCRA en Inde. Selon la presse indienne, le président de Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), T. Suvarna Raju, a déclaré que l’avionneur indien était prêt à assumer l’entière responsabilité des Rafale produits en Inde si le contrat avec le français Dassault était signé. La petite phrase prend une signification toute particulière dans le contexte actuel de désaccord majeur entre l’Inde et Dassault sur la garantie des avions de combat Rafale produits par HAL. Pour rappel, le programme Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), pour lequel Dassault est en négociation exclusive depuis 2012, prévoit l’achat de 18 avions auprès de Dassault, fabriqués en France. Tandis que le reste doit être fabriqué sous licence par le constructeur indien HAL.

 

Lors d’une conférence de presse à Aero India 2015, le chef d’Etat-major de l’armée de l’air indienne, Arup Raha, a déclaré qu’il fallait rapidement compenser l’obsolescence et la baisse du nombre d’avions de chasse et qu’il était important pour l’IAF de mettre en oeuvre prochainement un appareil de combat moderne, sans toutefois spécifiquement nommé le Rafale. Ainsi ces mots on été : « Il est important que nous aillons un MMRCA. Je ne dirais pas le Rafale, mais nous avons besoin de l’avoir [MMRCA] le plus vite possible « .

 

Suite de l'article

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18 février 2015 3 18 /02 /février /2015 17:35
Snecma et HAL signent un MoU en vue de créer une joint venture et de construire une nouvelle usine de production en Inde

 

Aero India, Bangalore (Inde) – Le 18 février 2015. Snecma (Safran)

 

Snecma (Safran), motoriste aéronautique de premier rang mondial, et Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), acteur majeur de la construction aéronautique, ont signé le 28 janvier 2015, à Bangalore, un protocole d’accord afin d’étudier les modalités de la création d’une joint-venture en Inde pour la production de pièces de moteurs aéronautiques. Le protocole d’accord a été signé par Bruno Durand, directeur Industriel et Supply Chain de Snecma et Arunachalam Muthukumaraswami, directeur général de la division Moteurs de HAL.

La joint-venture en projet se consacrerait dans un premier temps à la réalisation de pièces de très haute technologie pour le turboréacteur M88, qui équipe l’avion de combat Rafale de Dassault Aviation. Dans un second temps, elle pourrait participer à d’autres projets aéronautiques d’envergure de Snecma et de HAL, en Inde et dans le monde entier. La nouvelle usine de plus de 30 000 m2 bénéficierait alors d’investissements substantiels de la part des deux partenaires, notamment pour l’équiper de machines à la pointe de la technologie.

Cette signature marque une nouvelle étape dans la coopération de longue date entre Snecma et HAL. La joint-venture viendrait par ailleurs approfondir les excellentes relations établies depuis plus de 60 ans entre les sociétés de Safran et celles de l’industrie aéronautique indienne*. Par exemple, Snecma produit le M53 qui motorise le Mirage 2000 H "Vajra" opéré par l’armée de l’air indienne.

« Ce nouveau partenariat témoigne une fois de plus des relations d’étroite collaboration établies depuis de nombreuses années entre Snecma, notre maison mère Safran, et l’industrie aéronautique indienne » a déclaré Pierre Fabre, président de Snecma. « Nous sommes fermement engagés à contribuer à la politique du « Make in India », à travers des partenariats d’envergure et des investissements locaux. Cette société commune est une preuve supplémentaire que nous approfondissons activement nos liens existants avec HAL ».

*Safran est présent en Inde depuis plus de 60 ans. Avec plus de 2 600 salariés hautement qualifiés et une croissance de 30% au cours des dix dernières années, l’Inde est le pays d’Asie où Safran est le plus implanté. Les activités de Safran en Inde se répartissent autour de trois grands axes : l’apport de compétences concrètes au service de l’industrie aéronautique en pleine expansion de ce pays, la fourniture d’équipements de navigation et d’optronique de pointe destinés au secteur de la défense, et des solutions biométriques sur le marché de la sécurité. Au fil du temps, les activités de Safran se sont développées, à travers de solides partenariats locaux avec l’industrie aéronautique militaire indienne, fondés sur des accords de développement conjoint et des licences de production et de soutien de moteurs, de trains d’atterrissage et de systèmes de navigation d’avions, d’hélicoptères (dont le moteur Shakti destiné au Dhruv) et de fusées, assortis des services de soutien afférents. 
 

 

A propos de Snecma

Suivez @Snecma sur twitter et LinkedIn

Snecma est une société de Safran, groupe international de haute technologie, leader en aéronautique, défense et sécurité. Snecma conçoit, produit, et commercialise des systèmes propulsifs, et notamment une large gamme de moteurs destinés à l’aviation civile, à la fois puissants, fiables, économiques et respectueux de l’environnement, dont le leader mondial CFM56 et le moteur de nouvelle génération LEAP**. Snecma fabrique également des moteurs militaires au meilleur niveau mondial, dont le M88, destiné au Rafale de Dassault, ainsi que des équipements et systèmes propulsifs pour satellites et pour lanceurs. Snecma est également un acteur majeur dans le domaine de la maintenance, de la réparation et de la révision (MRO) des moteurs d’avions civils et militaires pour les activités de services, à travers sa nouvelle marque EngineLife®, et assure un support client partout dans le monde.

** CFM56 et LEAP sont produits et commercialisés par CFM International, une société commune 50/50 de Snecma (Safran) et de GE (États-Unis).

 

A propos de HAL

Site internet : www.hal-india.com

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) est un groupe aéronautique leader d’Asie du Sud-est. L’expertise de HAL regroupe les activités de conception, production, maintenance et réparation ainsi que de modernisation des avions, hélicoptères, moteurs aéronautiques, équipements, avionique et systèmes. HAL propose une unique solution pour tous les besoins de conception d’avions et d’hélicoptères au niveau de la cellule mais aussi des systèmes liés, avionique, équipements de mission et de combat, en utilisant des outils de conception avancés. HAL s’est également diversifié dans la production et la maintenance et réparation pour les moteurs de turbines à gaz industrielles et marines et fabrique désormais des structures pour les véhicules spatiaux.

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13 février 2015 5 13 /02 /février /2015 07:35
Dhruv advanced light helicopter - photo livefist

Dhruv advanced light helicopter - photo livefist


12.02.2015 by Livefist
 

The 7.43pm crash of an Indian Army HAL-built Dhruv advanced light helicopter yesterday in Kashmir happened to be the third accident of the type in less than a month, a streak that has set off alarm bells once again within HAL. Last night's accident, in which two Army pilots Lt Col Rajesh Gulati and Major Tahir Khan were killed, was preceded by two crashes of Dhruv copters from the lot exported to Ecuador -- one on Jan 13 and the other on Jan 28 (Ecuador has lost four Dhruvs of the seven it has operated since 2009). There were no casualties in the two Ecuador accidents involving the Dhruv last month.

 

An HAL team dispatched to Ecuador on Jan 15 is part of accident investigations at a time when the country has restricted use of the Dhruvs to operational flights, and not for training or executive transport flights. HAL sources say preliminary information suggests the causes of the two January accidents are different.

The Sarang Dhruv aerobatics team is scheduled to perform at Aero India this month.

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11 février 2015 3 11 /02 /février /2015 08:35
photo Livefist

photo Livefist

 

7 févr. 2015 Shiv Aroor - Livefsit

 

The second prototype of India's 1st indigenously built naval fighter, the LCA Navy, takes off on its debut flight in Bengaluru on Feb 7, 2015. More details here

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10 février 2015 2 10 /02 /février /2015 12:35
UIMC to present promising aviation developments in India

 

06.02.2015 by Rostec

 

The modernization of equipment for the Su-30MKI will be discussed at Aero India-2015

 

During the international exhibition in Bangalore, India, United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation will present promising developments in aviation radio communications, which may be of interest to Asian partners.

 

The Aero India-2015 exhibition will be held from February 18-22. During this time, planned meetings will take place with representatives from the Indian Air Force and aircraft manufactures from the corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The sides will discuss the possibility of upgrading the communication equipment of the Su-30MKI Indian fighter jets and also outfitting Russian-Indian aircraft such as the FGFA fighter jet and the MTA transport aircraft with communication equipment.

 

“Our Asian partners immediately expressed interest in several models of Russian technology,” said Sergey Skokov, Deputy CEO of UIMC. “First of all, we have one of our latest developments for export, the S-112 aviation communication system, which provides a new level of data transmission efficiency. In addition, we are presenting in India the NKVS-27 system for multi-voice communication and information exchange between command posts and tactical aircraft.”

 

Since 2006, Polyot Research & Production Company, a subsidiary of UIMC, has manufactured the NKVS-27 system for foreign customers with Russian planes in the inventory. India may also be interested in acquiring the system for communication between aircraft command points and the Su-30MKI fighter jets, the Ka-31 helicopters, and the FGFA and MTA airplanes.

 

During the Aero India-2015 exhibition, the corporation will also present the on-board S-404 communication system developed by Polyot Research & Production Company, which features an integrated antenna system designed for the Ka-62 helicopter and other types of civilian aircraft. In comparison with similar products, the system has improved quality and range of communication. The system adheres to all international standards regarding radio communication equipment, including signal reception for selective calls. Its military modification provides anti-jamming protection and encryption of data and voice information on both the hardware and software levels.

 

The AT-E aviation information exchange terminal, also developed by ,  Polyot Research & Production Company will also be presented at the exhibition. This terminal solves problems related to communication, navigation, identification, and management of various branches of the armed forces, particularly in relation to aviation. The terminal utilizes information exchange network technology, and its characteristics correspond with all similar products (such as JTIDS/MIDS system terminals) utilized by the armies of both the USA and NATO.

 

The international aerospace exhibition Aero India has been held in Bangalore since 1996. Traditionally, it hosts leading representatives of the aerospace industry. In 2013, over 300 companies from 50 countries attended the exhibition.

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8 février 2015 7 08 /02 /février /2015 12:35
HAL bags Indian air force order for 14 Do-228s

 

6 Feb 2015 By: Greg Waldron - FG

 

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has secured an Indian air force contract for 14 Do-228 transport aircraft.The INR10.9 billion ($200 million) covers the aircraft, six additional engines, a flight simulator, and other equipment, says HAL in a statement.

 

Read full article

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8 février 2015 7 08 /02 /février /2015 08:35
India's LCA Navy Prototype 2 Flies

 

February 07, 2015 by Livefist

 

The second prototype (NP2) of India's first indigenously developed carrier-borne fighter, the LCA Navy made its first flight today in Bengaluru. The aircraft, a single seater type, made its maiden flight at about 12.27HRS for about 35 minutes.

 

The flight was piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, an Indian Navy test pilot with the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC). The launch was accomplished under telemetry control exercised by Test Director, Commander J D Raturi and Safety Pilot, Commodore J A Maolankar, the Chief Test Pilot of NFTC. The chase aircraft cover was provided by LSP2 piloted by Gp. Capt. Suneet Krishna (Retd) with the Test Director being Gp. Capt Prabhu and the Safety Pilot being Gp. Capt. RR Tyagi.

 

"The success of maiden flight of NP 2 is a testimony to the efforts put in by scientists and engineers to enable flight of the first LCA Naval Fighter. With one trainer and fighter in its stable “the indigenous carrier borne fighter program is making headway snf acquiring momentum," HAL said in a statement.

 

The HAL statement also said: "The ADA LCA (Navy) Programme Office, under Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) is exhilarated by the addition of NP 2 as a Flight Test platform. NP 2 has been built with vision and foresight. It addresses several systemic deficiencies observed whilst making progress on flight test of Naval Prototype 1. It incorporates most avionic hardware components promised to the customer, Indian Navy. During design and build NP 2 has been customized (Plug & Play) to incrementally accept modifications for Carrier Landing aids like Levcon Air Data Computer, Auto-throttle, external and internal Angle of Attack lights. NP 2 is the lead aircraft for arrestor hook integration, Derby Beyond visual Range missile and tactical data link. The inclusion of NP 2 into the LCA (Navy) flight test stable is a significant milestone in the indigenous Carrier borne aircraft development programme."

India's LCA Navy Prototype 2 FliesIndia's LCA Navy Prototype 2 Flies
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4 février 2015 3 04 /02 /février /2015 08:35
LCA Tejas Notches Up Crucial Cold Start Test Point

 

January 28, 2015 by Livefist

 

Some good news in from the Tejas Programme currently fighting to finish high-altitude cold weather test points in Leh, Ladakh. Here's the full DRDO statement just in: [With] three consecutive start-ups of its engine after overnight soak in extreme cold (around -15ºC) conditions of Ladakh, that too without any external assistance, Tejas, the Indian Light Combat Aircraft has achieved yet another and a rare distinction. Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme condition without any external assistance or heating is a technology challenge. The requirements become further stringent when the starting is to be done three times consecutively with a partially charged battery. Team LCA led by AERD&C of HAL, and members from ADA, NFTC, IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA have succeeded in achieving this. “The team LCA has achieved a technological breakthrough”, stated Dr. PS Subramanyam PGD (CA) & Director, ADA.

 

LCA Tejas Notches Up Crucial Cold Start Test Point

The engine starter is developed indigenously by HAL Aero Engine Research and Design Centre (AERDC), Bangalore. Prior to aircraft tests, the Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) was extensively tested on test rig to meet starting conditions across the operating altitudes including Leh (10,700 ft.) and Khardungla  (18300 ft.). The control software of JFS was fine tuned to work at all operating altitudes with no adjustments from cockpit. GE-F404-IN20 engine start up control schedule was also varied with several control patches to establish reliable [start].

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4 février 2015 3 04 /02 /février /2015 07:35
HAL to integrate Brahmos missile with IAF Su-30MKI jets by next month

The air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile at MAKS2009 in Russia. Photo Allocer

 

2 February 2015 airforce-technology.com

 

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reportedly set to equip the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter jets with the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile by March.

 

HAL chairman RK Tyagi was quoted by Indo-Asian News Service as saying that two of IAF Su-30MKI jets are being integrated with the missile at the company's facility in Nashik, Maharashtra.

 

Tyagi added: "We have also recently conducted the critical ground vibration test (GVT) on a Sukhoi to modify it for carrying the missile under its fuselage for combat role.

 

"The vibration tests were conducted in nine configurations to assess the dynamic behaviour of the modified Sukhoi platform."

 

HAL director S Subrahmanyan said, according to The Times of India: "The initial requirement is for two Su-30MKIs with BrahMos.

 

"The first one will fly in March and we will take up the second one in line."

 

The air-launched variant is called BrahMos-A. It will use air breathing scramjet propulsion technology aboard IAF Su-30MKI fighters to enhance their conventional offensive capabilities.

 

In October 2012, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security cleared a Rs60bn ($1.1bn) proposal for the acquisition of 200 BrahMos air-launched variants.

 

Forty-two 42 Su-30MKIs have been earmarked by the IAF has earmarked for structural and software modifications to carry 216 missiles.

 

The BrahMos is built by Brahmos Aerospace in a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia. It is a stealth supersonic cruise missile designed for launch from land, ship, submarines, and air platforms.

 

The solid propellant rocket-powered missile is capable of travelling at a speed of Mach 2.8. It can intercept surface targets by flying as low as 10m above the ground, even in mountainous terrain and hillocks, and has already been inducted by the Indian Army and Navy.

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29 janvier 2015 4 29 /01 /janvier /2015 13:35
LCA TEJAS Achieved Yet another Accomplishment

 

29 January 2015 - Pacific Sentinel
 

With three consecutive start-ups of its engine after overnight soak in extreme cold (around -15ºC) conditions of Laddakh winter, that too without any external assistance, Tejas, the Indian Light Combat Aircraft has achieved yet another and a rare distinction. Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme condition without any external assistance or heating is a technology challenge. The requirements become further stringent when the starting is to be done three times consecutively with a partially charged battery. Team LCA led by AERD&C of HAL, and members from ADA, NFTC, IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA have succeeded in achieving this. “The team LCA has achieved a technological breakthrough”, stated Dr. PS Subramanyam PGD (CA) & Director, ADA. 

 

The engine starter is developed indigenously by HAL Aero Engine Research and Design Centre (AERDC), Bangalore. Prior to aircraft tests, the Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) was extensively tested on test rig to meet starting conditions across the operating altitudes including Leh (10,700 ft.) and Khardungla (18300 ft.). The control software of JFS was fine tuned to work at all operating altitudes with no adjustments from cockpit. GE-F404-IN20 engine start up control schedule was also varied with several control patches to establish reliable start. 

 

Indian Press Information Bureau

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21 janvier 2015 3 21 /01 /janvier /2015 08:35
L'armée de l'Air indienne réceptionne un premier Tejas de série

Un premier Tejas devrait être déclaré pleinement opérationnel fin 2015 photo Indian Air Force

 

19/01/2015 par Emmanuel Huberdeau – Air & Cosmos

 

Enfin ! L'armée de l'air indienne a réceptionné le 15 janvier 2015, un premier chasseur monomoteur LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas de série. L'appareil a été produit localement par HAL (Hindustant Aeronuatics). Lancé dans les années 1980, le Tejas a volé pour la première fois en 2001. Depuis le programme a accumulé bien des retards.

Le premier chasseur livré à l'armée indienne, le LCA-SP1 est sorti d'usine en septembre 2014. Il a par la suite été évalué par les services du ministère de la défense indien. Il a reçu la qualification «Initial Operational Clearance II » et devrait être déclaré pleinement opérationnel d'ici la fin de l'année 2015. L'Idian Air Force avait déjà reçu des Tejas mais ceux ci n'avaient pas été qualifiés pour les opérations. Ils étaient utilisés principalement pour l'entrainement et la formation.

 

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18 janvier 2015 7 18 /01 /janvier /2015 08:35
Yes, It's A Big Deal: IAF Gets First Tejas Fighter


17.01.2015 by Livefist
 

With the media shut out, HAL quietly handed over the first series production Tejas light combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force today, marking the beginning of what will hopefully be a long series of handings over over the next few decades. With the Tejas still months away from final operational clearance, today's ceremony -- and it really was a ceremony -- was mostly for the cameras (which weren't there, so who was this for?). But seriously. For all the symbolism that today's 'handing-over' was about, I'm not about to rain on the programme's parade. Not today.

 

Ten years ago, when I began reporting defence, then IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy was on his way into retirement. I ambushed him at a government event in October 2004 for a quote on the LCA Tejas, which at the time was having considerable trouble. He wasn't happy. But he did say something no other chief did say. Not that I remember at least. He said, "I'm fed up of the to-and-fro between us and the builders of the LCA. I'm willing to accept the aircraft right now, as is. I am willing to commit my pilots to start clocking numbers on this machine. We need to spend time learning about it, not fighting about it. I am willing to make that commitment."

 

He meant what he said. But he retired weeks later. And there isn't a lot you can do after that. Not for a moment am I suggesting that there weren't other chiefs who wanted to see the Tejas in service as soon as possible, but a book remains to be written about the schadenfreude that was the development of the Tejas. It is in that light alone, if nothing else, that the handing over of an airframe to the IAF today is an occasion that shouldn't be made light of.

 

[On a separate note: I've been stricken by a severe allergic sinusitis, the likes of which I've never experienced before. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Anyone. Spring couldn't be here sooner. Have a good season, all.]

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14 janvier 2015 3 14 /01 /janvier /2015 07:35
photo HAL

photo HAL

 

12 Jan 2015 By: Greg Waldron - FG

 

A Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Tejas Mk1 light combat aircraft (LCA) has flown for the first time with an Indian-developed electronic warfare (EW) suite and a radar warning receiver (RWR).

The equipment was produced by India’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), and was able to detect radar signals during the flight, says the country's defence ministry in a statement.

The EW suite also carries a radar jammer, which the ministry says allows the pilot to “jam” various radar frequency bands.

 

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22 décembre 2014 1 22 /12 /décembre /2014 08:35
HAL Looks To Hulk-Smash IAF's Avro Replacement Effort


21.12.2014 by Livefist
 

In case you haven't been following the Indian Air Force's effort to replace 56 Hawker-Siddley 748 Avro transport aircraft, I strongly suggest you lose no more time in doing so. It's playing out as one of the most absurdly contentious, supremely ugly competitions -- and here's the thing: it hasn't even begun yet. After several stops and starts over the last two years, the latest is that the MoD has twice deferred a decision on what to do with the single bid that's landed in response to the Buy-A-Few-Make-The-Rest-In-India tender request. Now the crux, the whole point, of the Avro replacement programme is to give India's so-far hungry but ignored private industry a chance to create aerospace capacity by competing for the lucrative project. HAL therefore was deliberately kept out of the competition. The MoD and IAF felt this made sense since HAL, a single point monopoly in all things military aviation in India, has overflowing order books, limited capacity for more, and a relationship with its prime customer that can at best be described, to borrow from Facebook, as 'complicated'. HAL's extreme irritation and opposition to a tender that explicitly excludes it from the reckoning is well known. But things just went to the next level, with the company now hiring the services of prominent former staff to help lobby against the programme, and if necessary derail the course it's currently on. Journalists , including myself, received copies of an e-mail former HAL board member R. Srinivasan, who served as Managing Director of the Helicopter Complex, has written to Minister of State in the MoD Rao Inderjit Singh and Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur specifically asking, as you'll see in a moment, pretty explicitly that the programme be canned and HAL be allowed to build the planes -- pretty much because the private sector isn't up for it. Or, as the e-mail tantalisingly ends, it points to 'strategic options' available to India ahead of President Obama's upcoming visit. I'm tempted to offer my comments on every line of the stunning letter you're about to read, but I'm going to leave you to it.

 
Here's the e-mail in full:
 


From: Radhakrishnan Srinivasan <***************@gmail.com>

Date: 16 December 2014 10:57:14 IST
To: mos-mod@******
Cc: defsecy@******, bckhanduri@*********
Subject: Request to hold Replacement of 56 Avro Aircraft by IAF till all relevant issues are analysed by PMO/RM
 
Respected Sir,
 
At the outset, I would like to introduce myself as R.Srinivasan, who had worked for four decades in the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in several positions culminating in being appointed as a member of the Board of HAL as Managing Director of Helicopter Complex and subsequently as Director (Human Resources) before superannuating in May 2011. I had thoroughly enjoyed the various challenging assignments I had in the course of my long career in HAL and even after retirement, it is my pleasure to keep myself abreast of all the developments in HAL that have a bearing on its future. Certain recent decisions of the Government of India on an important defence project have left me greatly disturbed and in this context, I would like to draw your kind attention to the ‘Request for Proposal’ (REP) for Avro Aircraft Replacement released by IAF for procurement of 56 aircraft. The RFP was released on 8th May 2013 soliciting responses from OEMs with participation from only Indian private Industry.
 
2. With the laudable intent to develop private sector in the area of aircraft manufacturing, Govt. had cleared the proposal for replacement of 56 Avro transport aircraft of IAF under “Buy and Make” route.  The Avro aircraft were produced during the early 60s to 80s under technology transfer at Kanpur by HAL. A total of 89 aircraft were produced, 67 for IAF and the balance for civil customers. IAF currently holds 56 aircraft, which it wants to replace by an aircraft with “Tactical Airlift” capability.
 
3. The Approval of Necessity (AON) for the subject Avro case was approved for fulfilling the tactical airlift capability gap in the 5-tonne class of aircraft. Avro does not have Tactical Airlift capability, the ground on which Approval of Necessity (AON) was sought and accorded.  Hence, this proposal is not for Avro replacement but a fresh procurement case. IAF, in its inventory, has aircraft like AN-32, C-130J and C-17 which are equipped with functionalities for such applications viz. rear ramp, high altitude operational capability, auxiliary power unit etc.  Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA), catering to this specific capability, is also under development jointly between UAC-TA, Russia and HAL. IAF’s Tactical Airlift capability, therefore, has not been dependent on Avros and justifying replacement of Avro on grounds of declining tactical airlift capability does not sound logical.
 
4. The tender issued in May’13, for the subject case had to be extended several times due to requests from foreign OEMs for more time required in identifying an Indian partner. Notable part of the tender was exclusion of entire PSUs of India from participation as approved by Defence Acquisition Council, to avoid any competition from it.  Foreign OEMs were required to identify an Indian partner other than PSU, supply initial 16 aircraft from their original facilities and provide technology transfer for manufacture of balance 40 aircraft by the Indian partner. Foreign OEM would, however be the main contractor as the contract for 56 aircraft is required to be signed between the OEM and IAF, while the, Indian partner would only be a vendor to the foreign OEM.
 
5. The noticeable apathy of Indian private companies in partnering with any OEM, can be easily gauged. Low number of requirement, upper hand of the foreign OEM in deciding the terms and conditions, low margins, high capital investment, high skill requirement, long term engagement over the life of the aircraft for maintenance support, remote possibility of the selected platform for civil use etc. are some of the factors which cannot be easily overlooked by any private entrepreneur.  The result is in front of us for all to see. After more than one and a half years of deliberations, we today have only one offer from Airbus Military with TATA as Indian partner, for the aircraft which can otherwise be competitively selected and economically produced if the requirements are carefully identified and available facilities and expertise in the country are utilised.
 
6. The proposed Airbus C-295 aircraft is almost of double the capacity (9.25 T payload/ 71 seats) as against that required for Avro replacement (5 T payload/50 seats), flew for the first time way back in 1997 and only around 100 numbers have so far been sold over the last 17 years  IAF’s requirement of 56 numbers would definitely be attractive to Airbus with TATAs providing ideal partnership, as they have insider information about HAL, the only integrated aviation company in India.TATA,  being a large business house, can effectively influence the Govt .decision in their favour. The erstwhile Chairman of the Tata Group had served as an Independent Director on HAL Board for two terms for a total of 5 years and had been privy to all important information about the company’s plans and policies. This opportunity provided to TATAs has enabled them to systematically diversify into Aviation.
 
7. Nations, world over, have followed the concept of flagship companies in various business segments. Aviation is a business, in which countries have followed the concept of National Champion and consolidation of aviation industries taking place world over is proof of the same. Boeing and Airbus are classic examples of how these flagship companies have played the role as National Champions in their respective countries. We in India too, have done the same. Aeronautics India Limited formed in 1960 as a private company was consolidated in 1964 with other aviation agencies as HAL, for the same reason. Several companies with the same competencies cannot co-exist and be competitive in aviation sector due to the sector specific and inherent characteristics like low volumes, large capital, high skill set, cutting edge technologies, long term engagement etc. It would never be advisable to create multiple infrastructures/capacities/capabilities for similar type of products with enormous capital, and allow idling of the same at public expense.
 
8. Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for Make in India aims to create new manufacturing capability within the country as well as optimally utilise the available capability. Setting up of new facility at the cost of non-utilisation of existing public funded infrastructure would never be the objective.  On the contrary, it means loading more work to existing facilities so that they achieve the desired scales of economy for competitive manufacturing.  The global competitiveness, as Hon’ble Prime Minister has rightly pointed out, can only be achieved with  the right combination of skill, scale and speed.  Given the scale, available skill can produce the required speed. This is where Govt’s intervention and support are required in enabling a DPSU like HAL to become globally competitive. ‘Make at any Cost’ is not the underlying mantra that the call for ‘Make in India’ implies. Economic unreasonability is not and can never be the rationale behind the ‘Make in India’ campaign. I strongly believe that the current proposal is heading in the direction of ‘economic unreasonability’,  given the unavoidable duplication of capital infrastructure requirements at a huge cost.
 
9. I invite your kind attention to the above case and sincerely request that the matter be  re-examined from a larger and wider perspective keeping in view the nature and intricacies of aviation business. If IAF is allowed to pursue this case further in the proposed format, it will not be achieving the objectives underlined by Hon’ble Prime Minister but will only be turning the ’Make in India’ drive into ‘Make by TATA’. In fact, the AON itself needs to be revisited and reviewed from the points of view of necessity, specification as well as mode of procurement. Make in India does not mean that production in India is done by only the top 3 or 4 big business houses. Hon’ble Prime Minister wants it to be done with the concept of inclusive growth as the basis. The Govt. may also like to decide this deal keeping in view the various strategic options it has, in view of the forthcoming visit of President of USA to India.
 
With best regards,
(R. Srinivasan)
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1 décembre 2014 1 01 /12 /décembre /2014 08:35
Garuda 5 - photo Livefist

Garuda 5 - photo Livefist

 

November 29, 2014 Livefist

 

So, as I mentioned in my earlier post, sticking points in negotiations between Dassault Aviation and HAL remain the chief reason why a draft contract hasn't reached finality. There have been a few reports that point to general difficulties in negotiations between HAL and Dassault on liability for the 108 aircraft that the former will license build in Bangalore. What you probably haven't heard about are the specific stumbling blocks. There are basically three:
 

 

  1. Responsibility for the 108 aircraft in terms of liability, damages and attendant clauses on access, inspection and post-manufacture testing. Dassault's concern is that HAL hasn't built up any of the fixed assets which the company feels would be the minimum requirement to begin discussing the modalities of the kind of liability HAL wants Dassault to take on for the jets built in India. With the last 60 aircraft to be as much as 90% 'Made in India',   

  2. The ball is apparently in HAL's court, with Dassault telling the Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) that it still awaits figures from HAL on the financial specifics of the liability it is seeking to transfer to Dassault. Dassault has asked HAL to clarify the specifics of any similar liability parameters in comparable deals like HAL's Su-30 MKI production line on license from Russia.

  3. Modalities of licensee/licensor and the manner in which the final agreement sets down their roles. Things are actually more contentious than most believe/report. Dassault has even flagged up issues with access to HAL's facilities.

Done and dusted clauses of the exhaustive contract cover pretty much all other aspects. The company's aversion for HAL manifested itself two years ago when it was revealed that Dassault wanted to built some of its aircraft with Reliance Industries' new defence business. With an irritated HAL putting its foot down and asserting itself as the principal production partner, the relationship between the two has been, well, uncertain at best. Both sides will be looking to new leadership at the MoD to get things moving.

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21 novembre 2014 5 21 /11 /novembre /2014 08:35
HAL’s third LCH prototype conducts maiden flight

 

17 Nov 2014 By: Greg Waldron - FG

 

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has conducted the maiden flight of the third test aircraft in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programme, with the company confident of attaining initial operational capability by September 2015.

The aircraft, designated TD-3, flew a 20 minute flight on 12 November from the airfield adjacent to HAL’s Bengluru factory, says the airframer in a statement.

TD-3 joins TD-1 and TD-2 in the test programme for the new helicopter. The previous two examples have accumulated 285 flying hours in 388 flights since the maiden flight of TD-1 in March 2010.

 

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10 août 2014 7 10 /08 /août /2014 16:35
Defence Minister Confirms Livefist Report, Rings Death Knell For Intermediate Trainer

 

August 5, 2014 by - Livefist

Confirming a series of reports here on Livefist on devastating trouble for HAL's indigenous HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer, Indian defence minister Arun Jaitley today told Parliament that critical problems with the platform had forced the Indian Air Force to look for a foreign replacement.

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9 août 2014 6 09 /08 /août /2014 08:35
Inde, le Tejas l’épine dans le pied du Rafale!

 

03/08/2014 Avia news

New Dehli, l’avion de combat indien HAL Tejas MkI va recevoir son  approbation opérationnelle finale (FOC) d’ici 2015, en parallèle, le Tejas MKII est attendu pour 2020.

L’arrivée tant attendue de l’avion de combat indien, pose dorénavant un vrai problème sur la finalisation du contrat Rafale, nous allons voir ici, les détails de ce feuilleton.

 

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