Govt to shortly declare winner of mid-air refueler competition

[sancho]

Why so many windows on a midair refueler? Is it a passenger aircraft converted into a refueler? Proprietary tankers do not have any windows as far as I know.

Useless to buy a refueler at high cost, first training and maintenance will be higher comared to il-78..
Go for il-78, coz we already have it and france is very happy with MMRCA deal so no need to make them more happy. Ilyushin should also get some orders...

Yes, it is a civil version converted to a tanker. The biggest advantage of this version is, that once it shares spares with all civil aircraft versions, which makes them cheaper and available all over the world and that all the fuel will be stored in the normal fuselage and wingtanks. The IL 78 instead, is just a military aircraft which limits spares and makes them more costly. It has 4 engines, compared to 2 of the airbus, which increases operational an maintenance costs, it requires twice the crew, needs additional fuel tanks that will be stored in the cargohold, which means no passangers or cargo can be lifted and it remains to be a single role aircraft. PAF got the "multi role" version, where the last of the 3 fuel tanks can be removed, to open at least some space fore cargo, IAF so far uses 3 x fixed tanks.

Bottom line is, the higher procurement cost of the A330 MRTT will easily be countered by the lower lifecycle costs as well as the waaay higher operational advantages as a troop / VIP / cargo transporter or MEDIVAC, BESIDES the normal tanker role.

Personally, I think India should buy more of them and 2 x configured as airforce one's for longe range flights of the PM as well as a an command and control center in case of war. The Boeing 737 we currently have are too small, offer limited range and can't be refuelled in air.
And when I see with how many CEOs or industrial partners German government officials go on foreign trips to sign new deals, I wonder why India shouldn't do the same and take more advantages out of such trips. Again the 737 is not enough for it and an IL 76 is not suited for such a role too, but the A330 is as even the British PM recently found out:

British Prime Minister to use new RAF tankers for future overseas visits after embarrassing trade trip with Boeing plane

The Royal Family and senior UK politicians may consider using one of the RAF’s “Voyager” Airbus A330 tanker aircraft for future foreign trips after a rather embarrassing trade trip to Indonesia caused a huge row.

David Cameron and his aides made the trip during the Easter period to drum up trade for European built Airbus planes (11 Airbus 330 aircraft for Garuda Indonesia airlines) using a “rented” Boeing 747...

British Prime Minister to use new RAF tankers for future overseas visits after embarrassing trade trip with Boeing plane « The Aviationist

 

[Abingdonboy]

Yes, it is a civil version converted to a tanker. The biggest advantage of this version is, that once it shares spares with all civil aircraft versions, which makes them cheaper and available all over the world and that all the fuel will be stored in the normal fuselage and wingtanks. The IL 78 instead, is just a military aircraft which limits spares and makes them more costly. It has 4 engines, compared to 2 of the airbus, which increases operational an maintenance costs, it requires twice the crew, needs additional fuel tanks that will be stored in the cargohold, which means no passangers or cargo can be lifted and it remains to be a single role aircraft. PAF got the "multi role" version, where the last of the 3 fuel tanks can be removed, to open at least some space fore cargo, IAF so far uses 3 x fixed tanks.

Bottom line is, the higher procurement cost of the A330 MRTT will easily be countered by the lower lifecycle costs as well as the waaay higher operational advantages as a troop / VIP / cargo transporter or MEDIVAC, BESIDES the normal tanker role.

Personally, I think India should buy more of them and 2 x configured as airforce one's for longe range flights of the PM as well as a an command and control center in case of war. The Boeing 737 we currently have are too small, offer limited range and can't be refuelled in air.
And when I see with how many CEOs or industrial partners German government officials go on foreign trips to sign new deals, I wonder why India shouldn't do the same and take more advantages out of such trips. Again the 737 is not enough for it and an IL 76 is not suited for such a role too, but the A330 is as even the British PM recently found out:



British Prime Minister to use new RAF tankers for future overseas visits after embarrassing trade trip with Boeing plane « The Aviationist

The IAF 737 BBJs used by PM and Pres are for purely domestic/regional flights- for longer intercontinental flights abroad the PM uses a specially configured 747 known as Air India one which has similar (not identical obviously) features to Air Force One of USAF. I do agree ,though, that IAF should have operational control ( IAF pilots already fly the AI 1) of such a plane and it should be in IAF colours. The A330 and UK PM deal is compeltly different- he was going over trying to drum up business for Europe and in particular Airbus but flew in an American 747- sending the wrong signals. The suggestion to use RAF A330s has been criticized heavily by politicians and RAF brass because it would severely diminsh the RAF's operational capacity. As such I think there's no point in having the A330 MRTT serve as the HoS plane for India- but a specilised commercial air craft should be fine.

 

[Major.]

hey can any one help me....my user name is major. but in my profile it shows major9211 and i joined forum in 2010....but it shows as 2008...!!!! is my profile hacked....????

 

[Sergi]

hey can any one help me....my user name is major. but in my profile it shows major9211 and i joined forum in 2010....but it shows as 2008...!!!! is my profile hacked....????

PM any MOD. Only they can help

 

[Major.]

ok....will do it...thank you...!!!

 

[OrionHunter]

hey can any one help me....my user name is major. but in my profile it shows major9211 and i joined forum in 2010....but it shows as 2008...!!!! is my profile hacked....????

Yes! You're jacked!!

 

[Major.]

Yes! You're jacked!!

 

[Killswitch]

I have a friend of a friend who is a transport pilot for the IAF. He said that the IL 76's were constant engine problems and needed allot of repairs and spare parts which were not always available. Even the new IL 76's had engine problems.


Perhaps the IAF should replace the IL 76 and move on from Ilyushin.

 

[peep]

I don't see a reason not to replace the Ilyushin.. they are maintenance intensive and they have 4 engines = More moving part

The airbus is twin engined as well as multi role. Even an out of mind person will choose the latter over former.

 

[sudhir007]

A330MRTT at Leh during trials in November 2011

 

[subincb]

I have a friend of a friend who is a transport pilot for the IAF. He said that the IL 76's were constant engine problems and needed allot of repairs and spare parts which were not always available. Even the new IL 76's had engine problems.


Perhaps the IAF should replace the IL 76 and move on from Ilyushin.

Indian Il 76 Uses the older PS-90 Engines. May be the new ones would be better or if Russia and US agrees they should put in Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans. We could have commonality with C17 and they have similar thrust rating and definitely better pressure and bypass ratios.