DRDO AWACS makes a quiet touchdown at Bangalore

[Abingdonboy]

The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, India’s most-awaited eye-in-the-sky aircraft, touched down at HAL airport on Wednesday night. On its arrival, the prying plane built on a modified Embraer platform (EMB-145I), was given a water canon welcome. Over 200 people, including scientists, engineers and technicians were present at the airport when the plane landed close to midnight.
Military sources tell Express that the aircraft flew through three continents over last the five days. On its arrival in Bangalore, it was officially received by the AEW&C development and user teams led Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) director S Christopher.
The aircraft was piloted by a flight crew consisting of two pilots, each from Embraer and the Indian Air force (IAF), along with one technician from Embraer. As reported by Express earlier, the aircraft left Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil, on August 17. “Before leaving Brazil, the acceptance of the aircraft was completed over a period of 15 days at the Embraer facilities by a team of officials from India,” sources said.
Before landing in Bangalore, the EMB-145I had its last refueling at Ahmedabad on Wednesday. “We tracked every moment of its flight including at Casablanca, Alexandria and Dubai. It is a big day for military aviation scientists,” sources said.
The aircraft was ferried from Brazil with several mission system external components being built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, including the Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) antenna with passive electronics fitted on to the platform.
The focus now shifts to the integration of the DRDO-developed mission systems on to the platform, which will be followed by development flight trials in India beginning of 2013. The next aircraft is expected to arrive in December 2012.
Post-midnight, the yet-to-be-named aircraft was undergoing a series of emigration and customs clearances at HAL airport. “We have taken the plane into our hangar and the entire area is now cordoned off,” sources said. The security around HAL airport and CABS facility was high all through Wednesday, ahead of the EMB-145I’s historical landing in Bangalore.

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Prying plane makes a quiet touchdown at Bangalore

 

[Gessler]

Now quickly put the real radar on the plane and continue flight testing the prototype for
getting accurate performance parameters for operational use.

Thanks for posting Abingdonbuddy.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Screw you tarmak for destroying some of the most awaited pictures of DRDO AWACS.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Now quickly put the real radar on the plane and continue flight testing the prototype for
getting accurate performance parameters for operational use.

I think a ~6 month wait isn't bad.

Screw you tarmak for destroying some of the most awaited pictures of DRDO AWACS.

Tbh I don't care too much, just happy to see the pics- in whatever form!!

 

[David James]

The Tarmak guy is fast and networked.

 

[Gessler]

The Tarmak guy is fast and networked.

Yes he's Anantha M Krishnan. He and Livefist guy Shiv Aroor are buddies.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Yes he's Anantha M Krishnan. He and Livefist guy Shiv Aroor are buddies.

And unlike the later he is normally right on the money and reports facts not BS speculation and personal dreams.

 

[Gessler]

And unlike the later he is normally right on the money and reports facts not BS speculation and personal dreams.

Right. I suspect Shiv is bought out by Alexei Fedorov, this Ruskie has a lot of contacts in India and
lots of property and money. I think that's why those stupid "Arjun mk-2 killed at birth" and other crazy
articles with no point to make, and that just after the Russians unveiled the T-90AM "Armata" tank
at DefExpo-12.

He's anti-Arjun that Aroor guy. AMK is good.

 

[Abingdonboy]

+ can't wait to see interior pics of the DRDO AWACS (if the chance ever happens).

 

[SQ8]

+ can't wait to see interior pics of the DRDO AWACS (if the chance ever happens).

May not be much to look at right now I suppose considering its current test status at Bangalore.

 

[Gessler]

Interior pics will have something to say only when all the systems and computers/processors have been
installed along with the radar.

 

[Abingdonboy]

May not be much to look at right now I suppose considering its current test status at Bangalore.

Interior pics will have something to say only when all the systems and computers/processors have been
installed along with the radar.

True. I am also not sure whether the IAF would release such pics- there are only 3/4 pics available online showing the interior of the IAF A-50EI PHALCON AWACS and these were taken in Israel by IAI so not released by IAF. Given 3+ years have passed since these pics were published and no new pics have emerged since the PHALCON has been in IAF service I have to be doubtful we will see interior pics anytime soon-if ever

 

[Screambowl]

interior looks old fashioned

 

[Abingdonboy]

interior looks old fashioned

Are you looking at the same pics I am? Where do you get this idea from?

 

[Screambowl]

Are you looking at the same pics I am? Where do you get this idea from?

ya LOL i saw the color in the cockpit and headphone and yes it is indeed old fashioned. thank you babus