Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[indopak]

The first official photograph of an IAF Operated SPYDER SAM missile launch vehicle. The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
20-June, 2015 20:16 IST

207 Flight Cadets Including 43 Women Pass Out from Air Force Academy

The amber sky dawned sagely over Air Force Academy to witness the grand Combined Graduation Parade, which marked the momentous occasion of the passing out of 207 Flight Cadets as Flying Officers including 43 women officers to join the crème-de-la-crème of the IAF, to carry forward the espoused legacy and the core values of ‘Mission, Integrity, Excellence’ with élan. This solemn event was graced by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha PVSM AVSM VM ADC, as the Reviewing Officer. He conferred the President’s Commission to the Flight Cadets who have successfully completed their basic and professional training at Air Force Academy, Air Force Station Hakimpet, Air Force Station Begumpet, Air Force Station Yelahanka and Air Force Administrative College (Coimbatore). This training phase culminated in a grand ceremony with a scintillating Combined Graduation Parade on the tarmac facing the Sekhon Block at the Air Force Academy. The newly commissioned officer will join in their respective fields in Flying, Navigation and Ground duty branches.

The Reviewing Officer was accorded a salute by the parade followed by an impressive March Past. The highpoint of the parade was the ‘Pipping ceremony’. The Flight Cadets were awarded their stripes by the Reviewing Officer, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command and Commandant, Air Force Academy. They were then administered the oath by the Commandant of the Academy in the presence of the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha gave away various awards to the flying officers who have excelled in training. Flying Officer Himanshu Kanwar from the Flying Branch was awarded President’s Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour for standing first in Overall Merit in Pilot Course. Flying Officer Saurabh Sharma and Flying Officer Shivaank Rana were awarded President’s Plaque for being first in Overall Merit in Navigation and Ground Duty branch respectively.

Addressing the cadets, the Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha complimented the Flying Officers for the exceptional standard of parade. Articulating India’s need and priorities in the emerging international scenario, he reiterated the important role of the Armed Forces. In this context IAF, as a reckonable aerospace power, would permeate the national security apparatus more intrinsically, given India’s significantly enhanced stature and responsibilities. He stated that, while there is an urgent need to leverage technologies and systems, it is also imperative that these are converted into ‘capabilities’ by people. He stressed on the need that the IAF should aim for greater specialisation and tailored capabilities amongst its men and women, as it absorbs newer and more advanced technologies. Earlier, the Reviewing Officer was received at the venue by Air Marshal Ramesh Rai, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command and Air Marshal GP Singh VM, Commandant, Air Force Academy.

The parade was culminated with the newly commissioned officers marching-out from behind the fort wall, in slow march to the poignant notes of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ acknowledging the first salute given them by their immediate juniors.

The large gathering of military and civil dignitaries along with the family members and friends of the graduating Flight Cadets were held spellbound throughout the impressive parade. The grand Graduation Parade culminated with awesome display by the fiery aerobatic display by the PC 7 MK II (the aircraft currently used in AFA to train pilots) and the Sarang Helicopter team display.

The combined graduation Parade is a portentous day heralding the birth of another generating of fine Officers in the IAF. The Flight Cadets undergo professional and advanced training and finally pass-out together from the portals of the majestic “Sekhon” Block of Air Force Academy. The graduating Flight Cadets marched-in onto the tarmac with impeccable turnout and impressive drill movements, demonstrating the conviction and commitment that they hold. Subsequently, a specially chosen group of Flight Cadets brought-in the ‘President’s Colours’ of the Academy. The President’s Colours is a symbol of excellence, awarded to the Academy in 1975 as a tribute to the dedication and worthy contribution, both during peace and war; it marks and depicts the hard work, valor and sacrifice of all the personnel posted to the Academy.

The Air Force Academy is the premier training establishment of IAF. It is veritably the ‘Cradle of Inspired Leadership’, as it undertakes the onerous task of transforming civilians to Air Warriors and creating an elite cadre of Officers.

 

[kurup]

Can someone explain the bold part? @sancho @Abingdonboy @kurup @Chanakya's_Chant
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. Sukhoi Flanker

I surfed about it and what I understand in simple words is ,

ISR = Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance

Platforms performing ISR include AWACS , SIGINT aircrafts , satellites , etc .

Weapons used to target these ISR platforms = counter-ISR = long range BVR missiles , ASAT , ARM

R-172 and R-37 are long range BVR missiles with ranges in excess of 200km with primary target being AWACS , SIGINT , C4ISTAR aircrafts . Kh-31 is an ARM with a rumored AWACS killer version .

Some of these missiles are said to be exported to other countries including India ( K-100 said to be mated with MKI).

So the article essentially speaks about the necessity of a force multipliers in a future air warfare scenario and the threats faced by these force multipliers coming mainly from counter-ISR platforms .

Hope it helps you .

 

[Agent_47]

I surfed about it and what I understand in simple words is ,

ISR = Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance

Platforms performing ISR include AWACS , SIGINT aircrafts , satellites , etc .

Weapons used to target these ISR platforms = counter-ISR = long range BVR missiles , ASAT , ARM

R-172 and R-37 are long range BVR missiles with ranges in excess of 200km with primary target being AWACS , SIGINT , C4ISTAR aircrafts . Kh-31 is an ARM with a rumored AWACS killer version .

Some of these missiles are said to be exported to other countries including India ( K-100 said to be mated with MKI).

So the article essentially speaks about the necessity of a force multipliers in a future air warfare scenario and the threats faced by these force multipliers coming mainly from counter-ISR platforms .

Hope it helps you .

Sorry my bad, I understood it as these BVRs are part of non-proliferation treaty !

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

 

[indiatester]

Where & when was this?

 

[Hindustani78]

25-06-2015
HAL Chairman. T Suvarna Raju said

Sukhois will be produced for another four years. Another 60 aircraft are to be delivered yet according to the contract.

 

[CrazyEagle9]

Where & when was this?

Gujarat, India, after heavy rain recently. More than 20 inches rained in a day , in some places.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

IAF Mi-17s on flood relief duties in Gujarat yesterday.

 

[Hindustani78]

Updated: June 28, 2015 11:07 IST
Air show keeps spectators spellbound - The Hindu

Indian Air Force helicopter air show held in Thanjavur on Satruday.— Photo: Special Arrangement

A breathtaking air display by the Sarang helicopter team and Akash Ganga skydiving team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) kept spectators spellbound here on Saturday.

The amazing manoeuvres and scintillating performance of both the teams stole the hearts of spectators who came in large numbers .

The display organised by the Air Force Station, Thanjavur, otherwise known as Southern Strikers, as part of its silver jubilee celebrations, began with the lining of four indigenously produced by Advanced Light Helicopters by the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The Sarang team lit up the sky with heart-breaking aerobatic acts showcasing the prowess and professionalism of the Indian Air Force.

The crisscross and crossovers performed by the helicopters that had demonstrated the IAF prowess in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and others brought the spectators to the edge of their seats.

It was followed by a display by the Akash Ganga skydiving team. The experienced members of the team, some of whom have been showcasing their skydiving skills for several years, did not fail to enthral the spectators.

The team of 12 paratroopers consisting of some of the finest parachutists of the IAF jumped from an An-32 aircraft and unfurled the parachutes displaying the tricolour .

Amid spontaneous applause from the energetic crowed that included N. Subbaiyan, Collector, Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Inspector-General, Thanjavur range, and S. Sundarrajan, director, National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi, the team members landed safely in the designated area despite strong wind.

The sound of applause took a few minutes to die down when the personnel led by Group Captain A.S. Abhyankar of Sarang helicopter display team and Wing Commander Gajanam Yadav of Akash Ganga skydiving team were introduced to the crowd.

While congratulating the team members for the spectacular show, Group Captain RV Shinde, Station Commander, Air Force Station, Thanjavur, said that the show had once again proved the might of the IAF.

 

[asad71]

India has a new generation of Air-to-Air Missiles

Posted by: Defence Radar June 22, 2015 India Comments Off 308 views
The arrival in India of the first two upgraded Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 T/TI fighter aircraft marked the induction of a new-generation of potent Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) with the service, in MBDA’s MICA AAM. The MICA will replace the Indian Air Force’s obsolete Super 530D Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) and Magic 550 II close combat missiles (CCM).

The MICA has an advantage over all other current AAM, of being the world’s only missile that features two interchangeable seekers — Radio Frequency (RF) and Infra-Red (IR). IAF Mirage 2000 T/TI’s can be carry up to six MICAs in a mix of RF and IR versions offering unprecedented operational flexibility and capability. When comparing MICA with the legacy Super 530D and Magic 550 II AAMs, the MICA is equipped with thrust vector control making it far more manoeuvrable and agile.

In addition, both IR and RF versions of MICA can engage multiple targets simultaneously something not possible on non-upgraded Mirage 2000s with the Super 530D and Magic 550 II missiles. The active radar seeker equipped MICA RF also has a much greater range than the missile it’s replacing, the semi active radar Super 530D. The MICA IR offers proven over the shoulder capability over the Magic II and much greater range along with Lock on before Launch (LOBL) and Lock on after Launch (LOAL) compared to the Magic II which offers only the possibility of LOBL shot.

The order for 493 MICA missiles (RF & IR) was placed in 2012 to replace the Mirage’s life-expired Matra S-530D BVRAAM and Magic 550-II CCM, with deliveries to be concluded by 2019. MBDA officials state, “everything is progressing as scheduled and deliveries will take place according to the requirements laid out in the contract regarding timing and quantities. Due to customer confidentiality, we cannot go into details of the split between the RF and IR versions.”

Upgrade work has been completed on the first two aircraft and work on the four more aircraft (two in France and two in India) are advancing on schedule as is the integration work on the missiles. MBDA personnel have been working closely with Thales as well as training Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) engineers here in France so that they carry out the remaining integration work on the aircraft to be upgraded in India. IAF Mirage 2000 T/TI’s benefit from the ‘multi-aircraft’ design of the MICA that allows the missile to be easily integrated on modern fighter aircraft. By deciding on the MICA, the IAF also benefited by not having to integrate an additional missile on its Mirage 2000 T/TIs and will also achieve substantial savings when it comes to the supply chain and maintenance of the missile. Along with the MICA variants (RF & IR) carried on the upgraded Mirage 2000s, IAF Jaguars will be also fitted with the ASRAAM CCM, as part of Rs 2,700 crore (USD 428 million) contract signed just under a year ago. The other competitor for the contract was Rafael’s Python-5 AAM. The ASRAAM for Jaguar has been designated as the ‘new generation close combat missile’ (NGCCM) by the IAF.

The ASRAAM will be fitted on the Jaguar in a unique over-wing configuration allowing for maximum space below the wings remaining available for the Jaguar’s payload of air-to-ground weapons. The ASRAAM will be the sole AAM type fitted on the Jaguar for self-protection needs and the ASRAAM offers both close combat and near BVR capabilities. The missile is extremely fast off the rail and also features phenomenal acquisition ranges. The ASRAAM’s unrivalled ‘snap-up’ capability will offer the low-flying strike fighter an optimum means of defeating his adversary. ASRAAM provides an unrivalled self-protection zone. The ASRAAM will allow the Jaguar pilot to pull high ‘g’ manoeuvres while firing the missile without fear of compromising separation from the launch rail, say MBDA officials. Part of the Jaguar upgrade programme involves Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and here ASRAAM can offer proven digital interface and functionality.

Source : Force India

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
05-July, 2015 19:15 IST

WAC SMOs Conference

Air Marshal Rajan Chaudhry AVSM VSM President’s Honorary Surgeon, Director General Medical Services (Air), inaugurated the Western Air Command’s SMOs’ Conference 2015 at Subroto Park on 03 July 15. In his address he directed the SMOs to ensure regular and continuous training of all medical personnel and be ready to handle all emergencies, whether in peace or war. He asked SMOs to ensure implementation of the medical services’ digital initiative, the MEDNET, at all Station Medicare Centres (SMCs) so as to achieve our vision of paperless workplace. He informed that the Air Force was in the process of procuring and installing state of the art modern aeromedical equipment such as the Ejection Procedure Simulator (EPS), Explosive Decompression and Rapid Recompression Chamber (EDC RRC) which would take aeromedical evaluation and training to a higher level of sophistication.

Air Marshal B Suresh AVSM VM, Senior Air Staff Officer, WAC, the Guest of Honour stated that our primary job is war fighting i.e, to fight and win wars. He urged the medical fraternity to conduct research and find solutions to aeromedical problems as and when they appear. He also exhorted the Air Force doctors to constantly endeavor to return medically unfit pilots to flying as quickly as possible, in order to improve the cockpit to pilot ratio. He also expressed that the doctors had a very important role in educating and influencing the Air Force community, to inculcate healthy lifestyles and dietary habits so as to curb the menace of lifestyle disorders such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Lastly, he emphasized the legendary trust and bonhomie that existed between aircrew and the doctors and exhorted everyone to strengthen it further.

AVM Pradeep Kharbanda VSM, Principal Medical Officer HQ WAC, an Aviation Medicine specialist himself, moderated the brainstorming session, where issues faced by operational bases were discussed and resolved. Dr Gayatri Vyas Mahindroo Director National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health Care Providers (NABH), delivered the keynote address on “Accreditation of SMCs”. DGMS (Air) added that the greatest advantage in following accreditation standards was Patient Safety, which is also a Key Result Area of the Air Force medical services. He asked SMOs to observe “2015 as the Year of Safe Outpatient” in all earnestness and ensure delivery of highest quality healthcare in a safe environment, to the dependent population. DGMS (Air) applauded the outstanding relief work undertaken by WAC and the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) in Nepal, as a part of Op Maitri.

As part of two day conference, in field visit to AF Station Hindan, the flight surgeons witnessed C-130 and C-17, the modern heavy air lift giants of the Indian Air Force, in their ambulance role. They also had a hands-on exposure to the high-tech patient transfer unit (PTU) which the Air Force utilizes for shifting critically ill patients from one ICU to another. For most participants this firsthand experience was enriching and a unique experience.

 

[W@rwolf]

India's Emb-145 AEW&C fleet to be based at Bhisiana Air Force Station in Punjab. Two of the aircraft would be based at Bhisiana while the third will remain positioned at the CABS for research and development.

There are talks of ordering additional 6 airframes also.

 

[Hindustani78]

Spectacular images: Skydiving performance by IAF's Akash Ganga team
5 Jul, 2015
A skydiving performance was organized by OTA, featuring the Akash Ganga team of the Indian Air Force on 4 July, 2015.

Skydivers performing at OTA event
5 Jul, 2015
Skydivers performing at an event organized by OTA.

Organized at Kayar Lake near Kelambakkam
5 Jul, 2015
The event was organized at Kayar Lake near Kelambakkam, about 50 Kms from Chennai.

Skydiver performing
5 Jul, 2015
A skydiver performing at an event organized by the OTA.

Skydivers belonged to the Akash Ganga team of IAF
5 Jul, 2015
The skydivers belonged to the Akash Ganga team of the Indian Air Force.

Member of the Akash Ganga team performing
5 Jul, 2015
A member of the Akash Ganga team gives a skydiving performance at at Kayar Lake, 50 kms from Chennai.