IAF teams with Charleston for C-17 maintenance training

[Abingdonboy]

NOTE these AREN'T aircrew.

 

[IndoUS]

Why is that the Indian AF the only branch that has the nations flag on their clothing?

 

[sancho]

The Super Hercs are mostly going to be used for special ops. The C-17s are mostly going to be for mobilizing forces in the east for the proposed mountain strike corps. Most of the regular transport duties will be done by the AN-32s (the workhorse) and the IL-76s for now, and by the MTA in future. Hence the low number of C-130s, and the rather high price of the C-17s. They wouldn't want to wear them out with regular transport duties.

Buddy, what do you consider as regular duties if troop transport have to be done by C17? There is no way that we will use the heaviest transport aircraft in the fleet to transport such a low payload to a short distance. The C17 is a strategic transport aircraft, meant for big payloads to long ranges. The only reason why it will be a good additon in short ranges will be the vehicle transport capability, which currently is limited with IL76. For anything else, C130Js, MTAs and hopefully C295s will be more than enough and more than cost-effective.

AN32 - Capacity: 42 paratroopers
C295 - Capacity: 71 troops
MTA - Capacity: 88 paratroopers
C130J - Capacity: 92 troops
A400M - Capacity: 116 troops
C17 - Capacity: 102 to 134 troops
A330 MRTT - Capacity: 300 troops

As you can see, there is hardly a difference in this role, especially for short to medium ranges and even for evacuations like in Libya such civil aircraft conversions might be more suitable.

 

[Gessler]

Buddy, what do you consider as regular duties if troop transport have to be done by C17? There is no way that we will use the heaviest transport aircraft in the fleet to transport such a low payload to a short distance. The C17 is a strategic transport aircraft, meant for big payloads to long ranges. The only reason why it will be a good additon in short ranges will be the vehicle transport capability, which currently is limited with IL76. For anything else, C130Js, MTAs and hopefully C295s will be more than enough and more than cost-effective.

AN32 - Capacity: 42 paratroopers
C295 - Capacity: 71 troops
MTA - Capacity: 88 paratroopers
C130J - Capacity: 92 troops
A400M - Capacity: 116 troops
C17 - Capacity: 102 to 134 troops
A330 MRTT - Capacity: 300 troops

As you can see, there is hardly a difference in this role, especially for short to medium ranges and even for evacuations like in Libya such civil aircraft conversions might be more suitable.

I thought it was 100 paratroopers or 88 passengers...?

 

[sancho]

I thought it was 100 paratroopers or 88 passengers...?

It's the other way around, fully equipped troops needs more space than normal passangers.

 

[Pakistanisage]

Any clues when are we to get our first Globemaster?

Any clues when we are going to build our first copy of the GLOBEMASTER ?

 

[IndoUS]

Any clues when we are going to build our first copy of the GLOBEMASTER ?

other than the project with Russia I don't think HAL has any plan on building one on its own.

 

[Gessler]

Any clues when we are going to build our first copy of the GLOBEMASTER ?

Any clues when we are going to build first copy of the COBRA AH-1 bought decades ago?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Any clues when we are going to build our first copy of the GLOBEMASTER ?

Paksitan has not got the ability to copy/build such an a/c. Maybe in 30 years.

 

[brahmin]

Any clues when we are going to build our first copy of the GLOBEMASTER ?

What does 'we' refer to ?
If it means India my answer is we dont steal , we are not cheaters so we wont copy
If you mean Pakistan , you dont have capability to do so

 

[Abingdonboy]

Buddy, what do you consider as regular duties if troop transport have to be done by C17? There is no way that we will use the heaviest transport aircraft in the fleet to transport such a low payload to a short distance. The C17 is a strategic transport aircraft, meant for big payloads to long ranges. The only reason why it will be a good additon in short ranges will be the vehicle transport capability, which currently is limited with IL76. For anything else, C130Js, MTAs and hopefully C295s will be more than enough and more than cost-effective.

AN32 - Capacity: 42 paratroopers
C295 - Capacity: 71 troops
MTA - Capacity: 88 paratroopers
C130J - Capacity: 92 troops
A400M - Capacity: 116 troops
C17 - Capacity: 102 to 134 troops
A330 MRTT - Capacity: 300 troops

As you can see, there is hardly a difference in this role, especially for short to medium ranges and even for evacuations like in Libya such civil aircraft conversions might be more suitable.

Not to mention the cost- a C-17 cots somthing like $22,000 USD per flight hour! It is uneconomical to use the C-17 in cases where a smaller a/c will do.

Why is that the Indian AF the only branch that has the nations flag on their clothing?

I've seen IA do so also:

But this might only be for foerign deployments. The flag seems to be standard for all IAF personal (who wear the flight suits or overalls). Hopefully the entire Indian miltiary adopts a more US style approach to this wherin every persona has the flag on their sholder/chest.

 

[sancho]

Not to mention the cost- a C-17 cots somthing like $22,000 USD per flight hour! It is uneconomical to use the C-17 in cases where a smaller a/c will do.

That's what I meant, India unlike other countries have a way bigger need for tactical aircrafts with short to medium ranges and that can do these roles in a cost-effective way. The C17 of course will add certain advantages to IAF, but mainly in special roles or situations, be it strategic transport all around the world, or heavy lift capability during war times, but paying another $2.5 billions for another 6 is simply a waste and not really suited for our requirements.