Aero India - 2007 - REPORTS

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Aero-India took place early February 2007 at the Yelahanka air station near Bangalore. It was the sixth edition of this bi-annual airshow, and, by far the largest one, due primarily to the rapid growth of the Indian aviation market. Covering both civil and military, as well as the entry of U.S. aerospace companies, this became possible by opening previous government imposed restrictions to deal with India. These sanctions have been lifted recently, offering a huge market sofar dominated by Russian, to European and Israeli companies. In an effort to grab the Indian support and attention to its new hardware, Russia chose this event for the international debut of its latest MiG-35 fighter aircraft, which was unveiled in Russia only one month before the airshow.

According to a recent estimate published in the India Strategic monthly magazine, India will be spending some US$35 billion on military aviation over the next two decades. Plans include spending well over US$13 billion on the procurement of additional strike fighters and multi-mission aircraft, modernizing existing aircraft, and buying new attack helicopters, transport helicopters and transport aircraft. Fielding of a new systems, includes network

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Two American competitors entered the contest

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The stars of Aero-India 07 were the MiG twins - MiG-35 and MiG-29M OVT. The MiG-35 utilizes the basic MiG-29M aerodynamic design, enhanced propulsion, flight control and avionics. Compared to previous MiG-29 models, it provides significant improvement in flight range, maneuverability, and engagement capability of airborne and ground targets. The Indian Air Force is already flying 65 MiG 29 fighter jets, which are currently undergoing modernization under a US$ 400 million program. The upgrade could include improvement of the fighter's capability of beyond visual range (BVR) engagement, improvement of the central computer and avionics, especially in ground attack functionality.

The Indian Navy has recently acquired 16 of the marine versions of the MiG 29K to be operated from the aircraft carrier newly acquired from Russia. The first aircraft will arrive in India in June 2007.
Boeing is offering the Indians joint production of the Hornet, the first time the company is willing to go that far in international cooperation. India has always insisted on the local production of a substantial number of the defense hardware it buys. India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is currently producing the Sukhoi Su-30 and MiG-series aircraft, as well as the British Jaguar and the Hawk trainer, to begin local production in 2008.

Most recently, India increased its order of Su-30MKI with an additional 40 aircraft, which could fulfill urgently needed aircraft replacement at some of the squadrons suffering the highest attrition, buying some time for the MRCA program to mature.








Indigenous development of aircraft and helicopters continues in India. The most prominent, alas longest program is the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) family developed by HAL. Currently the fifth prototype is in final assembly and is expected to fly in August 2007, to be followed up by the naval version, slated to fly in 2008. A two-seater trainer version is one of the seven prototypes planned for the indigenously developed LCA. Production is gearing up for the low-rate initial production, with the first of eight Limited Series Production Aircraft (LSP-1) aircraft completed, making its ground runs at HAL's facility at Bangalore in February 2007. The remaining seven LSP-1 aircraft will be delivered by 2008. These aircraft will be equipped with a foreign engine (GE F-404, same as the prototype's powerplant) and non indigenous radar. The first aircraft of a batch of 20 production aircraft contracted by the Indian Air Force is scheduled to start rolling out of the HAL facilities from 2009-10, at a planned production rate of eight aircraft a year. However, the program continues to experience delays. Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for LCA was recently pushed back o 2010. The first three prototypes are currently undergoing flight testing and integration. Three prototypes are currently flying, accumulating over 500 hours in test flights. Integration and flight testing of weapon systems is also underway. A model at Aero-India provided a glimpse of this work, equipped with missiles (R-73) and targeting pod (Litening).

The Jaguar upgrading program is also underway. 20 aircraft were upgraded through the Darin-II program, which included upgrades for the aircraft avionic systems. The aircraft also received new hardpoints, bringing the total hardpoints to nine, supporting enhanced weapon configurations. An inertial navigation platform and a digital map display are now included. While two prototypes of the subsonic aircraft are flying, the government has also placed an order for the limited series production of 12 aircraft.

Another indigenously developed aircraft is the HJT-36 trainer developed by HAL. This Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) is expected to become operational by 2008.

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The flight display at Aero-India included several aircraft flown by the Indian Navy, including the modernized Ilyushin Il-38 and Tupolev Tu-142MK-E, showing the progress of the Indian naval aviation arm. All five Il-38s currently in Indian Navy service are being upgraded to the Il-38SD configuration. The aircraft carries the Russian made multi-function "Sea Dragon" (Morskoi Zmei) radar mounted in the belly bulge, offering surveillance range of up to 320 km from high altitude. This radar is also capable of detecting aircraft targets at about 100 km, while tracking up to 32 targets. The distinctive Electronic Support Measure (ESM) array mounted above the fuselage is produced by the Russian company Morskoi Zmei. ESM provides the capability to passively detect targets. A stabilized optronic payload is installed under the nose. Future modification of this aircraft could include new weapons, such as the BrahMos missile, of which each of the Il-38s could carry two.





The Russian Tu-142MK-E Bear-F Mod 3 Export version operated by the Indian Navy are equipped with the Elta EL/M-2022A (V)3 maritime surveillance radar, capable of detecting and identify (by ship profile) large surface vessels at ranges up to 400km. It has a track-while-scan capability of up to 100 target track-while-scan capability. is quite a unique feature. Few years ago, India was interested in acquiring Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire bombers for long range maritime surveillance and strike. However, these plans have been shelved. The Indian Navy is interested in acquiring Airborne early Warning systems, to augment the limited capability provided by the Ka-28 Helix AEW helicopter deployed with the aircraft carrier INS Viraat currently operated by the Indian Navy. Northrop Grumman is proposing the E2D Hawkeye 2000 for this role, this aircraft could operate from larger carrier decks, such as that of the new aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, to be transferred from Russia in two years, or from the INS Vikrant, currently under construction at Cochin, slated for operational deployment by 2012.

Indian aerospace activity is not limited to naval and air activities, but will soon extend to outer space. The Indian Air Force is in the process of establishing a space command, which will be responsible of operations and control of the country's space based assets. The command will combine various components like satellites, radars, communications systems, and fighter aircraft and helicopters, IAF officers said.

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India declared that Active Electronically Steered Array ( AESA) radar technology will be a "must have" item for every MRCA contender. This requirement excited both aircraft and radar manufacturers, creating some odd combinations. One such combination is the rumored alliance between RAC-MIG and Israel Aerospace industries' Elta Systems, developing a more advanced, powerful AESA radar that could be fitted into the MiG-35, as well as to future Indian fighters. While Russia is offering the Zhuk AE AESA radar for the MiG-35, the main advantage of the Israeli system could be its openness - Elta has not committed the radar to a specific platform, and therefore, India could gain access to the system's programming code which is another requirement that some companies, particularly from the U.S., could find difficult to provide.





AESA radars offer significant gains in reliability. By focusing power at specific directions, the pilot can gain more detection range providing "first detect" for air-to-air engagements, enabling first shoot/first kill by missiles fired Beyond Visual Range (BVR) mode. The longer standoff range also allows more time for persistent target observation, information sharing, tactical analysis and commander assessment before critical decisions are made.

AESA radars are emitting not only radar signals, but can also be employed for non traditional ISR, as well as electronic attack. For example, some of the elements can transmit and receive signals modulated with datalink waveform, transferring large amounts of data (such as live video or aerial imagery) over high bandwidth datalinks. Similar techniques can be used for electronic attack, to jam or deceive electronic systems operated by enemy forces.

The mechanical scanning systems used in previous systems were prone to failures, which grounded the entire aircraft. The new systems use solid-state technology and electronic scanning, to replace the mechanical systems but also introduce multiple elements to replace the single channel design of previous systems. Therefore, AESA radars can sustain certain degree of failure without grounding the aircraft or disabling the entire radar system. Furthermore, when designed with modular approach, AESA radars can be gradually upgraded, by replacing the solid-state receive/transmit modules based on Gallium-arsenide semiconductors technology with more advanced elements, thus significantly improving performance.

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Encouraged by the successful conduct of the Bramos joint venture program, India and Russia are considering to expand their cooperation beyond the BrahMos missile, potentially pursuing a Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM). Meanwhile, BrahMos continue its flawless test program and is currently being prepared for initial deployment with the Indian Navy and land forces. The joint venture is expecting to produce about 1,000 missiles to satisfy Russian and Indian requirements and expect a potential sale of up to 2,000 missiles worldwide.

An air-launched version of the missiles is currently being developed and integrated with Su-30 and Il-38SD maritime patrol aircraft.





The Su-30 MkI will be able to carry a single BrahMos missile. India is considering another configuration, carrying three missiles on the Su-30 - one under the centerline and two under the wings, which will have to be strengthened to carry the extra load. BrahMos have been test fired from land based and surface ship launchers and India is believed to be ready to launch from a submarine by the end of 2007. Sofar the Indian Navy submarines do not have surface attack capability. However, BrahMos could provide such capability, as well as the Club missile, offered to India by Russia. India has already inducted the warship version of the 290-km range missile and the surface-to-surface version is also ready for induction in 2007. The Submarine-Launched BrahMos will be deployed in an eight missile package, configured for Russia's Amur class submarines. These vessels are likely to compete for second-line of submarine construction at Mumbai's Mazgaon Docks, parallel to the French Scorpene line.

Other programs underway are the planned procurement of lightweight anti-tank missiles for Indian Army Special forces. The Army requires new man-portable, short range (2.5km) passive 'fire-and-forget' anti-tank missiles replacing the Milan. The Indian MOD approached several companies, but only two could meet the full specs

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Helicopters were always a big business in India, and Aero-India provided a venue to highlight some of the future trends in this domain. India is planning to buy up to 80 new Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. Boeing is also courting India for the sale of Chinook heavy lift helicopters to fulfill heavy lift requirements. The latest model of this helicopter, CH-47F was displayed at Aero India 2007.Russia is also expected to deliver to the Indian Navy six new Ka-32 naval helicopters, to be configured for anti-submarine roles.





Realizing the limitation capabilities of the Russian made Mi-35 gunship to operate at high elevations and hot environment India is seeking to induct a light helicopter gunships capable of operating at these conditions. As a stop gap, The IAF has modified its Mi-17 medium lift transport helicopter by mounting machine guns and rocket launchers on board but India is planning to pursue an attack version of this helicopter, designed for operations at high elevations. While the Drhuv helicopters made their daily aerobatic displays at the flight line, HAL's static exhibit focused on a full-scale mock-up of a future version of its attack helicopter, based on the advanced light helicopter (ALH). The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is designed to provide an effective, high altitude combat capability unattained by current helicopter gunships. LCH will be capable of operating at an altitude above 15,000 ft. loaded with guns, rockets and missiles and equipped with an integral, stabilized optronic turret. The new helicopter could augment the 12 ton Mi-35 only attack helicopter currently serving with the Indian Air Force. The new gunship is expected to have an avionic suite based on the ALH's advanced cockpit. HAL is planning to roll out the LCH prototype in 2008.

Under a parallel approach, Russia is set to unroll its own 10 ton class high-altitude helicopter gunships and is offering India to join the program as a co-development partner. Russian helicopter developer Kamov is already working on two designs, the Ka-60 and Ka-52. Kamov plans to roll out the new KA-52 helicopter gunship, which can be used at altitudes above 15,000 ft. The Mil design bureau is also working on a 10-ton class heavy lift troop carrying helicopter to be capable of operating at these elevations.

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India has a large fleet of transport aircraft, but most of these aircraft have become obsolete and need replacement. On January 2007 HAL of India signed an agreement with Russian Irkut and Rosoboronexport companies, to participate in the development and production of the Multirole Transport Aircraft, (MTA). The twin engine aircraft will have a load capacity of 20 tons and will be designed for the transportation of military and commercial cargo. The aircraft will be designed to operate from most basic runways, including high mountainous areas.

While India is already pursuing joint development with Russia, of a transport aircraft, US companies are realizing the opportunity to offer modern transport planes for the near term. Lockheed Martin brought the C-130J Super Hercules to Bangalore, and Boeing demonstrated the C-17 Globemaster III. C-27 light tactical transport could also be considered as a replacement for the aging An-32, providing a near-term light transport replacement. EADS highlighted the fact that the Airbus M-400 could be an option for India's medium transport fleet but its chances are slim, given the fact that India is already engaged in joint development of the Indo-Russian MTA.

Boeing is also promoting heavy transport aircraft and helicopters in India, and at the airshow the company displayed both the C-17 Globemaster III and the latest version of the Chinook helicopter, the new CH-47F.

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India has not remained unaware to the growing threat of missiles and weapons of mass destruction possessed by its neighbors. The country is investing significant effort in the development and acquisition a\of missile defense systems. Among these systems, India acquired the Green pine radar systems from Israel, and is working on indigenous missile defense program, based on the Prithvi ballistic missile. A first intercept performed by this missile was demonstrated in November 2006. On a parallel path, India is also interested in acquiring missile defense systems from Israel (Arrow) or Russia (S-300) and could also seek other systems, such as the US made THAAD, when it becomes available for export.





India continues its indigenously developed Akash air-defense missile system, in anticipation for induction into the armed forces in the near term. As the new missile is fielded, older missiles such as the SA-3 (Pechora) are expected to be retired. Other systems are being upgraded. India will also field the Israeli Spyder missile system, comprised of the Derby and Python 5 missiles operated from a single platform. Other upgrades are provided for older Russian made systems such as the ZSU-23/4 Shilka self propelled anti-aircraft gun. Under a modernization program unveiled at Aero-India, this system is receiving new propulsion, and fire control system, based on an integrated multi-sensor system developed under cooperation between Israel's IAI/MBT and the Indian company Bharat Dynamics.

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Despite the extensive use of UAVs by the Indian armed forces, at Bangalore, unmanned aircraft were shadowed by the MRCA fighter program. Only two systems were displayed in the static park - the Indian Nishant and British Herti with few more were displayed inside the exhibition halls, particularly at the Israeli pavilion.

The DRDO displayed the Nishant with its new Advanced Ground Control System (AGCS), configured to meet current and future UAV programs. The system uses four ergonomically designed consoles for the piot, mission commander, payload operator and image exploitation functions. Each console comprises a 21.3" high resolution TFT display supporting picture-in-picture capability, supporting the presentation of payload imagery, electronic maps (in raster and vector modes).










BAE Systems' HERTI fully autonomous unmanned air vehicle (UAV) was making its international public debut at the exhibition. HERTI, is one of a new generation of UAVs suitable for both military and civil operations. It has been designed to perform to perform maritime, coastline and border surveillance through Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) missions, equipped with the Imagery Collection & Exploitation (ICE) system also developed by BAE Systems. The company demonstrated the production configuration vehicle with operational ground station providing replays of missions carried out during HERTI抯 recently completed flight test program which took place at the Woomera range in southern Australia. Another UAV, the Sperwer, was displayed in model form by the French company Sagem.

Three Israeli companies displayed UAVs in anticipation for a Small UAV program, expected to be launched by the Indian Army. At Aero-India 2007, Elbit Systems displayed its Skylark II while IAI brought two versions of the I-View, the lightweight I-View 50 and heavier I-View 250, recently selected by the Australian Army. The RAFAEL's Skylite B mini-UAV was also present. Among the mini-UAVs, EADS displayed the Tracker, developed under a French Army contract. Aero-India 07 provided the debut for a new UAV specialist, the Indian company Speck, which introduced an impressive capability for designing and operating unmanned systems, as well as providing image collection, interpretation and mapping services. The company displayed models of several mini UAVs, including the small Baaz, which is slated to undergo Indian Army trials.


Source:http://www.defense-update.com/events/2007/summary/aeroindia07.htm

mentosonline

Very informative and interesting

ef/x

Thanks Jo !!