Air Force One INDIA

[Contrarian]

Air Force One INDIA


Here’s some news for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In three months, he is getting a new office. What is more, he will be going places in it. And he will be better protected in it, have more elbow room, even play host to foreign visitors—all without even being on Indian soil.

The fact is, the Indian Air Force, in whose craft the top dignitaries of the country fly, is getting a spanking new home in the sky for the Indian Prime Minister. The first of three ultra luxury transport aircraft, the Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), ordered for a whopping Rs 734 crore, will arrive in May to join the VVIP squadron of the IAF that ferries the President, Prime Minister and top Cabinet ministers.

While the Indian version of Air Force One is being kept under wraps by IAF due to “security concerns”, the aircraft is known to be fitted with a secure satellite communication centre, an advanced missile warning system and deflecting shield, electronic counter measures and radar warning systems.

This means that when the PM travels on official work, he will be able to conduct meetings, hold press conferences, catch a wink of sleep and remain in constant audio and visual touch with New Delhi without leaving his aircraft.

“The Boeing Business Jet is a specially configured aircraft for VVIP comfort. Its interiors create a working environment befitting the VVIP’s official stature. More importantly , it is equipped with the latest self-protection suite, thus providing our VIPs the highest level of protection from any ground-based or airborne threat,” the Indian Air Force, tasked with maintaining and operating the VVIP fleet, says.

While the older 737s do not have any self protection systems, the Embraer executive jets are reported to have limited protection against land-launched weapons and heat seeking missiles. The BBJs, on the other hand, have an “extremely efficient” missile protection suite and powerful electronic systems designed to confuse the incoming missile.

The IAF refuses to share details, but the minimum systems on board will be an IR (Infra Red) sensor and jammer to track incoming missiles from a good distance to warn the pilot. This would also activate the counter measures unit that will dispense flares and decoys. Like the American Air Force One, the BBJ is also being fitted with electronic counter measures to jam enemy radars.

The three BBJs have been specifically ordered to replace the Boeing 737-200s that were acquired in the 1980s for the use of the top dignitaries. Unlike the earlier craft with their limited resources, the BBJs have a range of close to 11,000 km and a maximum speed of 890 kmph. So they will be able to fly to most parts of the world without a refuelling stopover.

This will be a massive change from the current lot of aircraft that fly VVIPs in the country. Both the Embraer executive jets and the Boeing 737s in the IAF’s inventory have a limited flying range and need to make numerous fuel stopovers during long flights. In fact, the Boeing 737s cannot even fly abroad due to outdated avionic systems and the lack of modern navigational aids.

The arrival of the jets will also be a welcome relief for Air India as currently a regular commercial airliner has to be pulled out of service and “retrofitted” for VVIP duty whenever the President and Prime Minister fly abroad on tours.

While the Embraers—five of them were purchased for over Rs 650 crore in 2003—can accommodate close to 20 passengers in a regular seating arrangement, the BBJ will carry more than twice that number in much more luxury.

Once inside, the PM and his entourage will find a full-fledged flying office-cum-residence that can host up to 48 guests besides having a private bedroom for the VVIP, an executive office with Internet availability and secure communication connections.

The 807 sq ft cabin has been customised with a stateroom and a separate meeting room, something that is inconceivable on the much smaller Embraer 135 Legacy jets that are used to transport VVIPs within the country and for short overseas hauls and the older generation Boeing 737-200s that fly dignitaries on the domestic circuit.

While the three jets have already been delivered by Boeing to IAF in an unfurnished condition, the interiors of the aircraft are being customised at the PATS Aircraft completion center in Delaware, USA. “PATS will install an interior that includes a stateroom, meeting room, communications centre and seating for 48 passengers,” a Boeing statement said.

The first of the BBJs, fitted with the highly classified missile avoidance systems and security suite, is currently being flight tested by the IAF in the US. After complete integration of the security package, the BBJ is expected to land at the Palam Airport—home to the IAF’s elite Communications Squadron responsible for air travel by VVIPs—by the the first week of May. The other two jets are expected to arrive later in the year.

It is not only a luxury craft for Indian VVIPs. The BBJ is being used by close to a dozen countries, including Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Malaysia to fly their heads of state. However, it pales in comparison to the home in the sky of the American President. The Air Force One, a highly modified Boeing 747, is not only much larger but also had a virtually unlimited range as it can carry out air to air refuelling. Besides conference rooms, resting areas and the President’s residential quarters, the jumbo jet even has a gymnasium specially designed for long flights.

The Indian Prime Minister’s needs perhaps do not warrant a gymnasium. But when he climbs aboard his new carrier, there will surely be a new kick in his steps.

indianexpress.com

 

[Gabbar]

India's Air Force One takes off on first official flight

New Delhi: Ushering an era of power-jetting-in-style for VVIPs, president Pratibha Patil formally inducted the Indian Air Force's newly-acquired, highly-secure Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) on Wednesday and embarked on her visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on its inaugural flight.

Patil performed prayers and cut a ribbon to mark the commissioning of the Rs 934-crore BBJs in to the IAF's Communication Squadron at Palam airport here.

Walking up the red-carpeted stairway, the president, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, waved at the IAF personnel and the media corps before settling down in the plush VVIP cabin, which comprises a state-of-the-art executive office with conferencing facility and a private room with a double bed cot and in-flight entertainment features.

Designed to act as a command centre-cum-office in the sky in the event of an emergency such as a nuclear attack, the BBJs -- derived from Boeing 737-700 -- is custom built for the IAF by the US aircraft manufacturer and can carry a maximum of 46 passengers and a large cargo space.

"The trip would now be more business like. We will get more time to study, concentrate and apply our minds as flight will be more smooth," said Patil, just before the flight took off from Palam for the north-east.

Though not comparable to the larger and more sleeker Air Force One of POTUS (president of the United States), the three BBJs -- named Rajdoot, Rajhans and Rajkamal -- have several similar features.

"The aircraft has some of the finest high technology equipment with excellent communication systems," IAF chief Air chief marshal Fali Homi Major said at the inauguration ceremony.

Major said Air Force One of POTUS was a bigger aircraft and some of its features were different from the Indian BBJs, mainly because the former is built on the Boeing-747 platform.

"In the BBJs too, there are several features, which exist in Air Force One. It will be more than fair to call it the Indian Air Force One. Absolutely, I don't see any reason. Why not?" Major said to a query in this regard.

He, however, added that "there is a huge difference between the US Air Force One and this (BBJs). It has got perhaps other features, some features we don't have. But for our requirements, I think, we have the necessary equipment on board."

Pointing out that the BBJs were one of the finest available aircraft of its class for transport roles in terms of its performance and safety features, the IAF chief said the VVIP aircraft had Self Protection Suites (SPS), provided passenger comfort and had low noise levels.

The SPS, which came at an additional cost of Rs 200 crore for the three BBJs, is for electronic warfare to provide greater security from in-coming enemy missiles.

It includes radar warning receivers, missile-approach warning systems and counter-measures such as dispensing flares or metal chaff to deviate the heat-seeking and radar-guided missiles.

With a secure satellite-based communication system in addition to VHF radios, which helps the travelling VVIPs such as the prime minister to be in touch with ground as and when the need arose.

The IAF had bought the BBJs in October 2005, aiming to retire its aging Boeing 737-200s by June this year. However, India had to sign a deal-specific End-User Monitoring Agreement (EUMA) with the US Administration, required under American laws, for delivery of the three aircraft.

Asked about EUMA, the IAF chief said the issues concerning the agreement with the US, which provided for a physical verification of the aircraft to ensure it was being used for the purpose it was bought, had been "sorted" out.

"Those issues have been sorted out. It (EUMA) is not for the aircraft, but for the systems in it. That is why the aircraft is flying now," he said.

The three BBJs, which were delivered beginning August last, powered by two CFM-56 engines manufactured by US General Electric and French Snecma are designed for long rides pulling off 3,000 nautical miles or 6,000 kms and about 6,000 nautical miles or 11,100 km with additional fuel during Extended-range Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS).

Capable of cruising at 41,000 feet altitude at speeds of 410 knots or about 800 kmph, the aircraft has a glass cockpit with head-up display, inertial navigation system, dual flight management system and auto-landing capability, and is Radio Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) compliant to ensure other aircraft do not fly nearer to the VVIP aircraft.

The aircraft's interiors, exclusively designed to accommodate VVIPs and their entourage, has luxurious plush beige leather seats for three different set of passengers -- the VVIPs, Cabinet-rank executives, and their staff members.

The honour of piloting the first flight of Rajdoot with the president as its VVIP passenger went to IAF's Group Captain V Bhalotra and his co-pilot Wing Commander CK Kumar.

The two pilots have been joined by eight other crew members including Navigator Wg Cdr SB Arun Kumar, Engineers Wg Cdr MPM Kumar and Wg Cdr A Satish Kumar and five other flight stewards comprising an IAF Warrant Officer and four sergeants.
DNA: India: India's Air Force One takes off on first official flight

 

[notsuperstitious]

One of the three planes - Rajdoot

 

[Screaming Skull]

Well guys I was just wondering if these jets are purchased from a second country like the US and not developed in house, how difficult is it for the US agencies like CIA etc to bug these?

Since these will be used by the PM and President I am sure it will be sanitized by the most competent ppl/agencies in India. But how advanced is the technology on our side to detect highly sophisticated miniature cameras/microphones etc.? Since most of cutting edge US technologies are a state secret, is it possible for any customer country to ensure fool proof inspection?

Also, are there any protocols in place to describe what sort of discussions can go on during the flights? Are national policies, state secrets etc. allowed to be discussed?

 

[godsavetheworld]

 

[godsavetheworld]

Indian President Mrs. Pratibha Patil inaurguates AirForce One "Rajdoot"

 

[duhastmish]

India’s Air Force One, not the real stuff
Rahul Singh, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, April 02, 2009
First Published: 00:49 IST(2/4/2009)
Last Updated: 00:57 IST(2/4/2009)



Print



If you’ve seen a close-up of Air Force One in a Hollywood thriller, the Rs 312-crore Indian version of the US president’s Flying Oval office comes across as somewhat of a disappointment. The Boeing 737-700, specially configured for Indian VVIPs, lacks the splendour of the most prominent symbol of the American presidency.

President Pratibha Patil flew to the northeast in the desi Air Force One’s inaugural flight on Wednesday.

Boarding from the front, one walks straight into a cramped conference room with a 32-inch LCD and a dull painting. The conference room in the three Boeing business jets (BBJs), formally inducted in the IAF on Wednesday, can seat only six VVIPs. Walk out straight into the presidential suite, which looks rather dark with lacklustre decoration. It has a 24-inch LCD, inbuilt closets and medical equipment.

The carpet and the panels separating different sections are in different hues of green and white. The interior configuration is a mix of economy and business seats. Six economy seats for staff separate the VVIP suite and the 12-seater executive zone with personalised screens and ports for LAN access. The rear end houses the ‘staff zone’ with 36 seats. The BBJ has satellite communications, Internet, fax and a printer.

Air force chief F H Major admits the desi Air Force One cannot be compared with the real thing, but “the BBJ meets our requirements.”

The BBJ comes with a self-protection suite against incoming missile threats, autoland capability, enhanced ground proximity warning systems and intruder detection system.

The airplane, however, lacks the endurance for non-stop international flights for which the desirable range is 4,500 nautical miles.

 

[afriend]

Well guys I was just wondering if these jets are purchased from a second country like the US and not developed in house, how difficult is it for the US agencies like CIA etc to bug these?

Since these will be used by the PM and President I am sure it will be sanitized by the most competent ppl/agencies in India. But how advanced is the technology on our side to detect highly sophisticated miniature cameras/microphones etc.? Since most of cutting edge US technologies are a state secret, is it possible for any customer country to ensure fool proof inspection?

Also, are there any protocols in place to describe what sort of discussions can go on during the flights? Are national policies, state secrets etc. allowed to be discussed?

Exactly the question i had in mind. Any informed people here about these???

 

[kaal2009]

Cross-posted from post # 31 of the following thread:-

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-...er-enemy-than-united-states-3.html#post341431

India has imported three VIP jets from the United States for use of its president, prime minister and others. In view of what I have said above about the United States' ability to disable electronic equipment by signals from satellites, this is terminally stupid. This is the kind of thing because of which Americans think of Indians and such as "ants" (see above) who they can crush when they choose. This is how a report in the Times of India celebrates this stupidity:-

India's Air Force One takes off with President on board
2 Apr 2009, 0000 hrs IST, TNN



NEW DELHI: Amid chanting of mantras, breaking of coconuts and a tilak ceremony, the desi Air Force One took to the skies on its inaugural VVIP flight on Wednesday, with President Pratibha Patil heading for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

IAF's three new Business Boeing Jets are, of course, not as large, plush or technically sophisticated as US President's Air Force One. Unlike Barack Obama's aircraft, which can fly halfway around the world without refuelling, the Indian version's range is limited to only 3,000 nautical miles.

Moreover, the desi Air Force One certainly does not have what Obama's "Flying Oval Office'' is also believed to carry: An escape pod or capsule to take the US President out of harm's way if the plane itself is hijacked.

Nevertheless, the three aircraft -- christened Rajdhoot, Rajhans and Rajkamal -- formally inducted on Wednesday will ensure the Indian President and Prime Minister will now travel in fully secure comfort like never before.

The aircraft, after all, are equipped with high-tech self-protection suites (SPS) to tackle incoming "hostile'' missiles or other airborne threats, as also encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids.

While the three VVIP jets in themselves came for Rs 734 crore, another Rs 202.93 crore was spent on equipping them with SPS ordered directly through the US government.

The President or PM will have an executive office and bedroom to themselves on board, apart from a secure communication chamber and facilities to host around 50 guests in the specially-configured aircraft.

"Trips will now be more business-like. We will get more time to study, concentrate and apply our minds as the flight will be more smooth,'' said Patil, just before taking off for the North-East.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, in turn, stepped in to dispel the controversy over whether US inspectors will be periodically allowed to physically inspect the aircraft under the end-use monitoring agreement (EUMA) with US.

"Those issues have been sorted out. It (EUMA) is not for the aircraft, but for the systems in it. That is why the aircraft is flying now. There will be no physical verification,'' he said.

Asked about the comparison with the US Air Force One, ACM Major said, "In these aircraft too, there are several features which exist in Air Force One. We don't have some features. But for our requirements, I think, we have the necessary equipment on board. It will be more than fair to call them the Indian Air Force One.''

 

[Neo]

Nice plane.
Couldn't you come up with a better name than Air Force One?

 

[duhastmish]

Neo - brother its not - air force 1 - as news paper say : DESI AIRFORCE 1-

I HOPE THEY COME UP WITH SOME GOOD NAME - NO MORE - OF AJIT AND TEJAS , THEY MIGHT CALL IT - suresh or JAGJEET SINGH - WHO KNOWS.

bUT I heard it will be - rajdoot -

 

[afriend]

Rajdhoot, Rajhans and Rajkamal its already chrstined.. you can see the name in the picture..!!

 

[duhastmish]

There you go - i dont know wh ycant we come with some cool names ?

rajdhani rajdoot sound like some - name of ingredients in gram masala - jaiphal , saunf jeera ..

suresh ramesh himesh ramkumar rajkumar , wth

 

[Kharian_Beast]

There you go - i dont know wh ycant we come with some cool names ?

rajdhani rajdoot sound like some - name of ingredients in gram masala - jaiphal , saunf jeera ..

suresh ramesh himesh ramkumar rajkumar , wth

India - Leading the world in corny names

I agree though that the name is not awe inspiring... might as well just colour it purple and call it Bangen Jihaaz Mk. 1

 

[godsavetheworld]

Nice plane.
Couldn't you come up with a better name than Air Force One?

Its called 'Rajdoot', AirForce One is just a popular name, for people to understand what the plane is all about since Americans have made it so famous.