Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[RISING SUN]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...e-combat-tricks-flying-officers/1/924208.html
The first three lady officers commissioned to fly fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force have now entered their second phase of training where they are learning the tricks of aerial combat at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.

"The three lady officers have now entered their second phase of training and they are learning air to air combat and air-to-ground combat tricks on the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft at the air base," IAF officials said.

The trio of flying officers Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh was commissioned into the air force last year after they had successfully completed their initial basic training at the air force academy in Telangana.

MORE ABOUT THE TRIO

IAF officials said the lady officers will be trained to fire armament from their planes during the third stage of training which will again be held on the Hawk trainer aircraft.

The three lady officers are part of an experiment to include women officers as fighter pilots by the government and the future of women as combatants would depend on the success of these ladies in the coming times.

The decision was taken by the Defence Ministry to allow women in the air force as a five year experiment in October 2015.

The Navy and the Army are yet to allow women in combat as they are dealing with a lot of operational, social and logistics issues in opening avenues in war fighting for them.

THINGS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE THIRD STAGE

After the completion of their third stage training at the same air base, the three officers would be deployed in operational frontline squadrons of planes such as the Su-30 and the Mirage 2000 where they would be involved in daily operations.

The three lady officers will have to fly close to 150 hours on the Hawk trainers before they are allowed to graduate on the actual fighter planes.

In the batch after the three ladies opted for fighter flying, none of the lady cadets in the next batch have opted for fighter stream.

A few lady cadets have opted for helicopters while one or two have chosen the transport aircraft.

A few lady cadets have opted for helicopters while one or two have chosen the transport aircraft.

DEFENCE MINISTRY ON WOMEN IN COMBAT

The defence ministry is in the process of making a comprehensive policy for the induction of women in combat and opening more avenues for them in the forces and trying to look for answers for some of the legal and social issues it may face in the future regarding them.

The issues being discussed include the reaction of authorities in case of an affair between a lady officer and a jawan along with the family support system for the lady officers in case of a long deployment away from the place of posting.

Defence forces are of the view that the avenues for lady officers in Army and Navy should be opened only after these issues are sorted out and the services are given the answers on how to react in a particular situation.
First 3 lady officers to fly fighter aircraft in IAF to learn combat tricks

 

[Dazzler]

HAL delivered 18 Su-30MKIs fitted with second-hand engines
It has come to light that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered at least 18 Su-30MKI fighters to the Indian Air Force that are fitted with second-hand engines.

“It was noticed while checking the records…that AL 31FP engines fitted in certain aircraft was in Cat B condition at the time of inspection / delivery to Indian Air Force (IAF),” according to a report that was seen by Deccan Chronicle.

Each Su-30MKI is powered by a pair of AL-31FP turbofan engines. The report mention that some of the aircraft were installed with new and old engines.

http://alert5.com/2017/04/10/hal-delivered-18-su-30mkis-fitted-with-second-hand-engines/

 

[帅的一匹]

HAL or hole?

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/606353/iaf-fills-up-decade-old.html

Indian Air Force has become the first military wing to completely eliminate the crippling shortage in its officer's cadre.

As on April 7, 2017, IAF has no shortage in its officer's strength while the Army and Navy are still deficient of 7,986 and 1,256 officers respectively.

From a time when the air force had to re-employ its retired offices primarily to fly the transport fleet, the service has come a long way to fill up the gap in its officer's cadre.

On November 1, 2014, the force was short of 357 officers. With the intake of new batches, the hiatus came down to 29 as on August 1. 2016. The year-end retirements led to a gap of 437 on January 1, 2017 as against the sanctioned strength of 12,458 officers.

Fresh commissioning of officers eliminated the shortage in the IAF, defence ministry sources said.

In the Army and Navy too, the deficiency in the officer cadre came down over years, but they would take several years to reach the no-shortage status.

The three services, however, continue to have large shortfall in the number of ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen – the men behind the machines in the battlefields. Indian Army, the biggest of the three services, suffers from the shortage of 25,472 men.

The shortfall increased in the Air Force and Navy in recent months. As on September 30, 2016, Indian Navy had a shortage of 10,982 sailors, but the gap went up to 12,785 on January 2017.

Similarly for the IAF, the gap in the strength enhanced to 13,614 on March 1, 2017 as against 9,841 on November 1, 2016.

In the last 10 years, a gradual increase in the induction reduced the deficiencies on airmen strength considerably. Further, the training capacity (for airmen) has been increased from 5000 per year in 2015 to 6200 in 2017, said an official.

In the last decade, IAF's training activity was also hampered due to the absence of basic and intermediate trainer jets and inadequate availability of the ranges for firing practice. While induction of Pilatus basic training aircraft resolved the crisis partly, the force still doesn't have an intermediate jet trainer.

Firing practice in Dollang Mukh (Assam), Singpur (Gujarat), Sarmat (Madhya Pradesh) and Tilpat (Uttar Pradesh) ranges are limited due to restrictions from civilian administration.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/606537/iaf-copters-poured-182-thousand.html

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters made 73 sorties and poured over 1,82,000 liters of water today to control the wildfire in Rajasthan's Mount Abu and prevented flames from spreading to inhabited areas.

The blaze is now much under control and the fire fighting operation is likely to continue tomorrow to fully douse the flames in the entire forest area, officials said.

Fire broke out yesterday morning in Mount Abu close to the famous sunset and honeymoon point prompting the district administration to rope in one suitably modified IAF MI-17VS helicopter.

Today, the IAF stepped up the efforts and pressed into service another helicopter from Gujarat's Jamnagar.

Both the helicopters conducted 73 sorties and ferried water from Nakki lake to spray over the fire ravaged areas of the Aravali hills.

"Wing Commander Thiagaraman and Squadron Leader Praveen Tiwari had flown 73 sorties since morning today dropping over 1,82,000 liters over the areas in the immediate vicinity of the town," Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said.

He said that the places under fire close to inhabited areas were given the priority in the fire fighting operation.

Fires close to the Sunset Point, Anadhara, Honeymoon point, Gurushikhar ridge line and around Nakki lake were put out during the sorties today.

The helicopters, which are from two from different units- one from Phalodi in Jodhpur and the other from Jamnagar in Gujarat, will be standing by tonight at Abu Road helipad to take up any more missions tomorrow, if called for.

"The fire is now under much control. The flames are there at isolated areas and will be contained tomorrow," SP Sirohi Sandeep Singh said.

Thousands of tourists from within Rajasthan, the neighbouring state of Gujarat and other parts of the country visit Mount Abu during summers.

Tourists have been asked to avoid going to sunset point and honeymoon point till the flames are doused fully.

"The fire was not very far from sunset point and honeymoon point yesterday so both the places were evacuated. Besides these two, there are other tourist points in Mount and they are unaffected,” Circle Officer Abu Parvat Vijay Pal Singh said.

Singh said that tourists have been asked to stay away from to both the places till the fire is totally under control.

"Since the flames have not been fully doused, the tourists have been asked to not go to those points as a precautionary measure because it becomes difficult to evacuate the places in case of an operation," he said.

Besides, boating activity in Nakki lake has been restricted as the helicopters are fetching water from the lake.

The lake is located in the middle of the town, nestled between the hills.

The Circle Officer said that the fire in forests is a reccurring phenomenon but it was a massive fire this time.

"Reason of the fire is not clear but bamboo trees in the forest sometimes cause wildfire while some locals fetch honey and for they ignite fire for this process which can also lead to the fire in the forest," Singh said.

Located 1722 meters above the sea level and situated amidst the lush green hills on the highest point of the Aravali range, Mount Abu is the home to lakes, waterfalls and green forests and many religious monuments.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-April, 2017 18:37 IST
Indian Air Force Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Dhaulagiri (8167m)-2017

Indian Air Force is embarking upon a mountaineering expedition to Mt Dhaulagiri in Nepal from 15 Apr to 03 Jun 2017. Mt Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world at 8167 M (26795 Ft) and is the peak which was conquered last among the peaks above 8000 meters.

A team of 12 IAF mountaineers led by Gp Capt RC Tripathi, would attempt to summit the peak. Earlier, in 2005, IAF had created history by hoisting tricolour and IAF flag on top of the World during its first ever expedition to Mt Everest and again in 2011 during the all women Everest expedition. Keeping the spirit of its motto ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’, IAF is poised to hoist the national and IAF flag on summit of this mountain. This exposes the air warriors to varied operational environments, and is aimed to promote mountaineering in IAF and thereby motivating the Indian youth to join Indian Air Force.

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Aircrafts take part in the fly past during President Pranab Mukherjee awarded Standards to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

Helicopters of Indian Air Force fill their bambi buckets with the water from Nakki lake to be used to douse the raging forest fires in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
17-April, 2017 17:40 IST
Chief of The Air staff visits: Raipur and Jagdalpur

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC visited Anti Naxalite Task Forces at Raipur and Jagdalpur on 17 Apr 17. He was briefed by the local commanders of various paramilitary forces deployed in Bastar area. He reviewed the operational preparedness of forces deployed in the sector. He also interacted with personnel from various state agencies and air warriors to boost their morale.

*******

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-April, 2017 16:37 IST
Hon'ble RM'S interaction with IAF Commanders during Air Force Commanders' Conference

Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated the biannual Air Force Commanders' Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), New Delhi on 19 April 2017. Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) welcomed Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri, Shri G Mohan Kumar, Defence Secretary and Shri A K Gupta, Secretary (Defence Production). He also introduced the Air Force Commanders to the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri.


The CAS updated the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri on the operational status of IAF and the progress on infrastructure development. He highlighted the efforts made to enhance aircraft serviceability towards maintaining operational readiness of Indian Air Force. Achievements during the recently conducted pan IAF and international exercises with friendly foreign countries were also covered by the CAS. He further elaborated the actions initiated for enhancing operational effectiveness and the future roadmap of IAF.


The Hon'ble Raksha Mantri deliberated on the challenges to Defence Forces due to the rapidly changing geo-political situation in the world and the uncertainties existing in the region. He commended IAF for having successfully conducted various military exercises and operations towards Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief both within and outside the country. Acknowledging IAF's capability as the first responder especially in face of a natural calamity he emphasised the resolve of the government in expediting approved modernisation programmes of the Service.


During the three day conference, senior leadership of the IAF would deliberate on issues pertaining to enhancement of combat effectiveness and development of human resources and infrastructure. To encourage indigenisation and enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing a day long interactive session has been planned with delegations from HAL, BEL and other Defence PSUs. The CAS would also present trophies for excellence in various domains including cyber, communication, sports and welfare activities.

 

[Hindustani78]

Air Warriors Drill Team of AFS Jalahalli performing during the Passing out Parade at Air Force Station Jalahalli, in Bengaluru on Thursday. 953 airmen trainees successfully completed their training. PTI Photo

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

N011M Bars Radar

1) Difference between N011M Bars on board MKI and other PESA is that is sort of hybrid between AESA and PESA. It doesn't use same receiver amplifier for each T/R module, but has a separate system similar to an AESA. But it uses a single Oscillator of fixed frequency for signal transmission.

2) Since it's a hybrid it uses a X band radar of 8-12 GHz and also a L band 1-2 GHz for IFF system and has a mechanical steered antenna system.

3) Can scan upto +/- 70 degrees in Azimuthal and +/- 45 in vertical and has a mechanical steering of +/- 55, thus giving a full +/- 100ndegree off bore sight forward hemispherical coverage.

4) has vertically polarized phased array with individual per element receive path low noise amplifier at a 3 dB noise figure, giving another similarity to AESA radars.

5) the radar is used in Indian MKI and Malaysian MKM variants

6) it has 3 Indian made Ts 200 processors of 28 GHz and can perform up to 700 million operations per second.

7) it is a multi mode radar.
Air to air mode : 15 targets tracked, 2 engaged. 400 km search range, 200 km track range, 60 km rear tracking. Can conduct Raid assessment and NTCR
Air to surface mode : 15 targets tracked, 2 engaged.
Armored vehicles - 60 km detection range.
Ships - 90 - 120 km detection range

8) it includes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) too. A SAR is a radar system that uses flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna or aperture electronically and generates high resolution remote sensing images.

9) also includes Doppler beam sharpening (DBS) , real beam mapping and a Ground/ Maritime Moving Target Indicator (GMTI/MMTI) ,which makes it all the more better for swing rolls, and gives it edge as MKI are also used to provide air cover and complement the Navy's MiGs.

10) coupled with OEPrNK 30MKI electro optic integrated Fire control and Navigation system provides the application of both A2G and Air to Sea weapons.

11) Giving an analogy, for MiG 29/F 16 type aircraft in 300 Sq deg scanning zone it has a heads on detection range of upto 140 km and 60 km on trailing course.

12) Bars can operate even under (active and passive) jamming condition and can track one jammer with the subsequent attack on forward and tail hemisphere.

13) peak output is around 4-5 kW with an average output of 1.2 kW.

14) the total radar weighs around 650 kg. Has 3 receiving channels

15) The N011 is different from the N011M version, the earlier one being a mechanical radar and equipped on No. 24 Squadron, rest all are equipped with M version

https://www.facebook.com/TeamINDRA/

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
24-April, 2017 17:27 IST
Induction Ceremony of SU 30 MKI to the Valiants

In a solemn ceremony on 24 Apr 17, the Su30 MKI aircraft was inducted into 221 Squadron, ‘Valiants’, of the IAF. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar AVSM VM VSM ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command IAF was the chief guest for the occasion. Among the distinguished guests were Mr Daljeet Singh, CEO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and other officials from HAL.

The ‘Valiants’ which flew Mig-23 aircraft till 2009, is now equipped with the formidable Su30 MKI aircraft. The Su 30 MKI is a state of the art all weather multi role fighter aircraft capable of undertaking varied air combat and ground attack missions.

The ’Valiants’ were formed as an offensive fighter squadron on 14 Feb 1963 at Barrackpore with Sqn Ldr N Chatrath as the first Commanding Officer. The Squadron was than equipped with three types of aircraft namely the Vampires, Spitfire, Hurricane and Su-7 aircraft. The squadron has changed many bases during its fifty four years long journey and has taken part in 1971 War and Kargil operations. Su-7 aircraft of the Valiants roared over East Pakistan in support of the Indian Army’s blitzkrieg advance in 1971. The ‘Valiants’, operating the MiG-23s, were the first ones to fire weapons on the enemy during the Kargil war. Many of the squadron pilots have been decorated with gallantry awards over the years.

Personnel from the Air Force Station and their families witnessed a well organised ceremony on this occasion. Air Cmde DV Khot VM, Air Officer Commanding of the Air Force Station and his team have worked hard for the smooth induction of the new Su-30 Squadron. The induction of the Squadron will boost the offensive capabilities of the Indian Air Force in this sector. The Flight Commander of the Squadron performed an impressive Low Level Aerobatic Display.

Air Marshal C Hari Kumar formally handed over the official documents of the Squadron to Wing Commander HS Luthra, the Commanding Officer of the Squadron. In his address, the Air Marshal congratulated the air warriors of the Squadron on the timely induction of the mighty Su 30 MKI. He appreciated the tireless efforts put in by all the personnel of the base. The Air Marshal and his wife Mrs Devika Hari Kumar interacted with the squadron personnel during the tea after the ceremony.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Air Officer Commanding-in- Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar handing over the documents of the first SU-30 MKI aircraft to Wg. Cdr. H.S. Luthra, Commanding Officer, “THE VALIANTS”, during the induction ceremony of SU 30 MKI to the VALIANTS, at Air Force Station, Halwara (Punjab) on April 24, 2017.

The Air Officer Commanding-in- Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar with the Squadron personnel of “THE VALIANTS”, during the induction ceremony of SU 30 MKI, at Air Force Station, Halwara (Punjab) on April 24, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Increasing risk: HAL sees over 30 bird strikes a year.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...irds-in-hals-flight-paths/article18260022.ece
With a cesspool that is Bellandur sprawled behind the airport, and garbage mounds popping up everywhere near it, the skies over HAL Airport plays host to more kites and birds than man-made machines.

The black kite that flew into the helicopter carrying Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others on Monday, was just one among more than 2,500 that are spotted on a daily-basis at the airfield. “HAL Airport is the most affected airport when it comes to birds and bird strikes in the country,” says Wing Commander (Rtd.) S.S. Mahesh, an expert with the National Bird Control Committee, DGCA who also runs Grus Ecosciences in the city.

In comparison, Yelahanka Airforce Base - where birds come under immense scrutiny during the biennial Aero India Show - which is surrounded by some of the city’s largest waste processing plants sees an average of around 800 black kites a day; while Kempegowda International Airport is believed to have over 340 kites crossing the premises of the airport daily.

Consequently, experts believe Yelahanka Airforce base sees up to 25 bird strikes annually; HAL sees over 30 bird strikes a year. This is an increasing risk for HAL, and something of relatively recent occurence. In 1982, when the airport was still surrounded by verdent agricultural fields and few townships, ornithologists from the Bombay Natural History Society recorded just 251 black kites in a day.

This increase — say HAL officials and birders — is primarily because of garbage being illegally dumped around the key air base, close to Bellandur Lake, and in nearby residential areas. Mr. Mahesh says more than 73 garbage dumps were spotted close to the base, while at least 26 dumpsites have come in and around the severely-polluted Bellandur lake.

Adding to this, is the clogged drains and flowing sewage into the lake. Offal and animal waste are dumped into the drains - further attracting huge populations of birds.

While an HAL official said its operations were not “affected directly” by the bird population, they have remained in touch with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in clearing out clogged Storm Water Drains (leading to Bellandur) and clearing garbage mounds. “We are also distributing pamphlets and spreading awareness on keeping the nearby areas clean. Currently various military aircraft and helicopters, VVIP and private jets operate from HAL airport. Regulating presence of bird in the area is important for safe operation of these flights and hence this request to clean up the area on regular basis...the cleaning up of Bellandur and surrounding areas will help us tremendously,” said the official.

Translocating birds?

With fire crackers and tackling insects within the airport premises turning ineffective, birders have suggested the radical idea of relocation of thousands of black kites from the city.

Though HAL has around 83 species of birds, seven are considered high-risk species for bird strikes. Of this, kites has been classified as most probably to collide with planes, while also causing the “high damage”

According to Wing Commander (Rtd.) S.S. Mahesh, a founder of the ornithology department of the air force, the method of trapping kites and shifting them elsewhere has seen a major reduction in bird strikes - by over 70% - at airports in US and Canada.

With over 30,000 black kites in the city, he suggested shifting 2,500 kites annually - which will automatically reduce the bird population complementing the naturl death rates - to places nearly 100-km away. Around 46 towns had been identified, including Chitradurga, Pavagada, Mandya, and “carrying capacity” of these towns had even been calculated. For instance, Nagamangala, around 92 km away, can provide a healthy environment to 50 kites.

Sharath Babu, honorary wildlife warden of BBMP, says that there is little option that HAL airport has. “HAL officials can’t go around shooting birds, while the garbage problem will not away. They have to try every option that has been studied and shown effective,” he said.

An HAL official said this was a “temporary solution”, and the current mechanism developed in the airport - including a team to scare away birds or use of firecrackers and to control insect population - were sufficient in regulating the presence of birds.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
29-April, 2017 16:28 IST
Visit of Chief of The Air Staff Air Chief Marhsal BS Dhanoa

PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC to Air Force Station Agra

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, IAF visited Air Force Station Agra on 28 Apr 17. During the visit the CAS flew in the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) as part of forces participating in the ongoing War gaming Exercise of Western Air Command “Exercise Trishul”. It was an exemplary demonstration of potency of the IAF with real time war like scenario in terms of Large Force Engagement of Air Superiority Fighters and Combat Enablers available in the arsenal of the IAF participating in a dense Electronic Warfare environment.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...tment-rally-from-tomorrow/article18315134.ece
The Indian Air Force (IAF) recruitment rally for recruitment of Airmen would be conducted at Ambedkar Stadium in the town on May 1 and 3 for the benefit of unemployed youth of the State.

Collector Sarfaraz Ahmed said here on Saturday that the candidates coming from Hyderabad, Khammam and Kothagudem district should appear for written test on May 1. Similarly, the candidates belonging to Karimnagar, Rajanna-Sircilla, Jagtial, Peddapalli, Nalgonda, Yadadri-Bhongir and Suryapet district should attend the recruitment rally on May 3.


The candidates should first appear for the written test. Later, a psychological test and physical fitness test would be held. Candidates, who have completed 10 plus 2 with least 50% marks in English language in the age group of 17 to 21 years, are eligible to attend the test. Further details can be had from www.airmenselection.gov.in. The district administration had decided to set up help desks at RTC bus station complex and the For details Candidates can dial 8801821478 and 9490163834 between 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for any clarifications.