INS Vikrant - Specifications and Systems.

[Tin Man]

Vikrant

The Vikrant Class are the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carriers in India. Two aircraft carriers are being constructed for the Indian navy by Cochin Shipyard (CSL). The first ship in the series will replace the retired aircraft carrier, INS Virat.

The first steel was cut for the lead ship, INS Vikrant, in April 2005. Its keel was laid down in February 2009, and it is scheduled to be launched in mid-2011 and commissioned in 2014. The second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2) is expected to be ordered by 2010 for induction into the Indian Navy in 2017.

Vikrant Class design and features

Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design, the aircraft carrier can operate a combination of Russian MiG-29K, Ka31 and the indigenous light combat aircraft. It will be powered by two LM2500 gas turbines. The design incorporates highly automated systems for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability.

The ship will have an overall length of 260m and a breadth of 60m and its displacement will be 40,000t. The ship can accommodate 1,600 personnel including ship company, airgroup and troops.

Construction

The design and construction of the first aircraft was approved by the Indian Government in January 2003. The construction work began in November 2006. Built through modular construction, a total of 874 blocks were fabricated for the erection.

"The Vikrant Class are the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carriers in India."
The ship is constructed from high-strength steel manufactured in-house with the assistance of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Steel Authority of India. These aircraft carriers will be the biggest warships ever built by CSL.

Fincantieri of Italy will provide assistance for propulsion system integration and the Naval Design Bureau of Russia will supply its aviation technology.

The Ministry of Defence granted funds to the shipyard to improve infrastructure such as workshops and heavy-duty machinery. The ship will be completed in two phases.

The first phase includes the work up to first launch at the end 2010, while the second will cover the remaining works until the delivery of the ship.

Aircraft

The flight deck will feature two take-off runways and a landing strip equipped with three arrester wires. The STOBAR (short take-off but arrested recovery) system on an angled flight deck is used to launch and recover an aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier. IAC-2 will be fitted with steam catapults rather than STOBAR to launch fourth-generation aircraft. The aircraft carrier can accommodate up to 30 aircraft. It will have adequate hangar and maintenance facilities for aircraft onboard.

The airgroup will be a mix of combat aircraft including the MiG-29K, Sea Harrier and naval light aircraft as well as the HAL Dhruv and Ka-31 helicopters. The Ka-31 provides airborne early warning coverage.

Weapon systems

The aircraft carrier will be fitted with a vertical launch system for long-range surface-to-air missiles. A close-in weapon system will provide self-defence for the ship against incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft. Four OTO Melera 76mm Super Rapid guns - two on the bow section and two at the stern side – will be fitted. They can fire 120 rounds a minute at a range of 30,000m.

Countermeasures

The Vikrant Class ships will be equipped with a modern early air warning radar, VHF or UHF tactical air navigation and direction finding systems. The ship will also feature jamming capabilities. The combat management system onboard will use sensors and tactical data links to provide real-time situational awareness.

Propulsion

A combined gas turbine and gas turbine propulsion system will power the ship. Four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines driving two shafts will provide a total power of 80MW. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of over 28kt. The ship will have a range of about 8,000nm.


Builder Cochin Shipyard Limited
Operator Indian Navy
Complement 1600
Displacement Approximately 40,000t
Length 260m
Beam 60m
Draught 8.4m


Possibly might carry:

Current Indian Carrier and Comparison. NOTE: THE IMAGE SHOWS COMPARISON WITH "VIRAT" NOT "VIKRANT"

 

[AAD_PAD_PDV]

^ That image of Vikrant is very old. Vikrant is much larger nearly 40000 tons.

 

[Tin Man]

I already said 40k tons genius!

 

[AAD_PAD_PDV]

I already said 40k tons genius!

But you posted a vintage picture!

 

[doctor_who]

One thing for sure vikrant will have f-35 c + mrca , where as the russian a/c will have pak-fa + tejas

 

[Tin Man]

But you posted a vintage picture!

A schematic.

 

[Archie]

One thing for sure vikrant will have f-35 c + mrca , where as the russian a/c will have pak-fa + tejas

that is not exactly correct
Indian navy is acquiring 45 Mig29k , 22 NLCA ie 67 fighters
considering the fact that both carriers will normally operate 30 aircrafts comprising Helos and Fighters , it seems that the 65+ fighters which the navy will induct in the next 5 yrs will be enough till 2040 .

The aircraft which the navy wants to acquire as Naval MRCA will operate from IAC2 which will be inducted by 2020
Now this aircraft could be either F35B/C or Rafale or F/A18 , if they are chosen for mmrca contract

 

[PRACTICAL PATRIOT]

One thing for sure vikrant will have f-35 c + mrca , where as the russian a/c will have pak-fa + tejas

dont want to spoil your party but russian aircraft i.e gorshkov aka vikramaditya will be having mig29 whose delivery is already done.

and IAC 1 aka vikrant will be having mixture of LCA and MIG 29 and heelos. but there is vey slight chance of F-35 C instead of mig 29 on vikrant looking at way things are going now.

and as of now there is no plan of naval FGFA. i am sure they will design it in future though.

 

[ganimi kawa]

The second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2) is expected to be ordered by 2010 for induction into the Indian Navy in 2017.

Not 2010, but after the launch of IAC-1.

The first phase includes the work up to first launch at the end 2010, while the second will cover the remaining works until the delivery of the ship.

Contradicts your own post, please correct.

The airgroup will be a mix of combat aircraft including the MiG-29K, Sea Harrier and naval light aircraft as well as the HAL Dhruv and Ka-31 helicopters. The Ka-31 provides airborne early warning coverage.

No Dhruv for the IAC. Navy wants Dhruv for shore duty only.

The aircraft carrier will be fitted with a vertical launch system for long-range surface-to-air missiles. A close-in weapon system will provide self-defence for the ship against incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft. Four OTO Melera 76mm Super Rapid guns - two on the bow section and two at the stern side – will be fitted. They can fire 120 rounds a minute at a range of 30,000m.

Vertical launch long-range surface-to-air missiles will be MR SAM with israeli collaboration.

Possibly might carry:

You might want to replace the first picture with this (N-LCA)

Here is the differance between the af and navy versions.

Also the second pic is that of WSI Dhruv, which is not going to be a part of IAC-1 Airgroup!

 

[alam.saquiba]

@Styx

The photo u have posted is INS Vikrant which is not the Vikrant class carrier... INS Vikrant is decommissioned, It is former HMS Majestic, you can see these information on bottom of the snap you have posted...


INS Vikrant class is a new class. There will be 2 Vikrant class carrier (there name is not yet decided) One is already under construction, Once its frame is ready(2012-13), the kneel of second carrier will be placed (2012-13)...

the first Vikrant class carrier will be 40,000 Tonn after fully refitted...the other machine will be more than it (not yet disclosed) ,

 

[AMCA]

Possibly might carry:

Buddy, Thats AF LCA, this is the Naval LCA

The Above is Army and AF version, this is the NAVY Version

 

[sancho]

A schematic.

The schematic you posted is from INS Vikrant, a former carrier of IN, which was an earlier British carrier and used a STOVL layout. the Vikrant class instead, that we are developing right now, will look like the pic AAD_PAD_PDV posted.
It has a STOBAR layout with an angled deck for arrested landings and a bigger ski jump.

that is not exactly correct
Indian navy is acquiring 45 Mig29k , 22 NLCA ie 67 fighters...

Actually, IN so far ordered only 6 x NLCAs and they plan for 40 to 50, although I have big doubts about that.
Personally I expect a mix of 15 x Mig 29K/KUB and and 10 x NLCAs + up to 10 additional Ka 31 AEW and Dhruv, or a new ASW helicopter (IN evaluated Dhruv, but wants a helicopter with more range, the Sea Hawk, NH 90, or AW 101 could be good options).

 

[Tin Man]

============UPDATED==================


Thank you for feedback.

 

[angeldemon_007]

When is it actually going to get completed ?? I heard that to be in 2010, but i don't think this has happened. Does anybody has any report ?/