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The Indian Navy has put the security in and around Wellington Island on alert with its prized, home-grown possession – the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) — setting out to quay at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). While the officials at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) refused to divulge any details, Express has confirmed information that the areas in an around the ‘current position’ of IAC (INS Vikrant) is very closely monitored since its float-out last week.
Though the IAC, an air defence ship, is currently under the control of CSL, the Indian Navy is taking no chances and has increased armed patrol. Teams from the Sagar Prahari Bal are also said to be monitoring all movements closely. The naval officials in Kochi adopted an extremely diplomatic stand when Express sought information on post-IOC float-out security. “The more we speak about it the more we let our plans out.
With the ship at the quay, we will have our plans intact, though it is currently under the CSL custody,” an official said. Even commercial vessels that operate closer to the vicinity of CSL\IAC are being put under observation.A senior serving naval official, who agreed to part with information initially back-tracked a day later, said that his higher-ups would get worried, if the ‘security cover’ for IAC becomes a talking point.
CSL sources said that the float-out completed the Phase-I activities of IAC with the hull construction. “We have established that the vessel can float safely. There have been delays due to various equipment developing serious snags. We have addressed them and have conducted a series of underwater trials, in addition to testing all hi-end technologies time and again. The Phase-II work has begun and it mainly consists of out-fitting jobs. The platform will be re-docked again,” sources said.
The Indian Navy is also planning to upgrade the security levels at its Gunnery School (INS Dronacharaya) inside the Wellington Island. Tenders have been called for the supply, installation and commission of CCTV surveillance systems
all along the periphery, including the seafront, of INS Dronacharaya. “We are looking for a complete package which gives us gapless, round-the-clock and all weather security coverage. The tenders are in and we will finalize after scrutinizing the technical and price formalities,” sources said.
F-35C unable to land aboard aircraft carriers report says. U.S. Navy and Royal Navy have something to be worried about
According to the leaked report, the F-35C, the variant developed for the U.S. Navy (and chosen by the UK for its future aircraft carrier), is unable to get aboard a flattop because of its tailhook design issues.
During specific tests conducted at NAWC-AD (Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division) Lakehurst, the F-35C failed to engage the MK-7 arresting gear with a disappointing score of 0 successes in 8 attempts. Considered that arrestment testing takes place on a normal airport, without the thrill of bad weather, pitching deck, nearby obstacles, low fuel, lack of alternate airfields and all those factors that make a trap on an aircraft carrier the scariest kind of flying...
Something interesting which IN will monitor for sure:
“F-35C unable to land aboard aircraft carriers” report says. U.S. Navy and Royal Navy have something to be worried about. « The Aviationist
Something interesting which IN will monitor for sure:
“F-35C unable to land aboard aircraft carriers” report says. U.S. Navy and Royal Navy have something to be worried about. « The Aviationist
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A green light for a N-EF for UK?
The USN/USG has spent too much money to let something as small as a design flaw in arresting hooks scrap the project. The USN has plans for 100s of these planes alone, this issue will be fixed in no time and hence shouldn't effect the IN's decision process.
Not really, it would take too long and would be too expensive. If at all they would take F18SH, maybe even as stop gap solutions.
Don't underestimate that, because with the stealth design, things like that can't be changed that easily. IN will also monitor the latest news that US gov might delay the F35 procurement, because of budget problems. Or that Italy is thinking about canceling 1/3 of their initial F35 order, to counter bankruptcy.
Yes, okay, it might not be the easiest thing in the world to fix but, relatively, it is a simple enough job and I can not see a world where the entire project is scrapped for this one minor (relatively) fault after the program has overcome so much. For the USN at least there really is no immediate "plan B" if the F-35C fails apart from upgrading their F-18 E/Fs but beyond the immediate future that isn't going to cut much mustard with the USN top-brass and strategic thinkers. As such I have no doubt the IN will be unduly concerned about this hiccup.
Special refueler version of MiG-29K built for India: