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‘It’s India’s decade in aviation’
‘It’s India’s decade in aviation’
BENGALURU: India’s capability of building state -of- the art fighter planes and rockets would be put to test in the New Year.Scientists are confident of propelling the country’s aerospace industry into a new orbit in the coming decade.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will hurl a rocket with an indigenous cryogenic engine that can put communication satellites of four tonnes and above into orbit.
The satellite- GSAT-4 itself would test new technologies that India plans in its space programme in the coming decades. ISRO has so far been using Russian-made engine on its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV, to put large satellites into space.
“This will be a landmark achievement for India’s space industry,” said a senior Isro official.
Around the same time, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the sole defence aircraft maker based in Bengaluru , will fly for the first time the Light Combat Helicopter, an attack helicopter that could improve the armed forces capability against the enemy in high altitudes.
The new chopper, which will be an armed version of HAL’s flagship advanced light helicopter Dhruv, would be flown for atleast 500 hours before it is certified.
While the chopper will take wings, Tejas, the light combat aircraft will attempt to complete its first phase of flight trials to get the initial operational clearance that would pave way for the induction into the Indian air force.
The Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft or FGFA will also make its first flight during the year, that would set the ground to build the world’s most potent fighter after the F-35 of the Americans.
“This will be the decade of Indian aviation,” said a HAL official.
ISRO will also partner HAL in the country’s Rs2,500 crore passenger plane project.
The regional transport aircraft, or RTA-70, being designed to carry 70-90 passengers on short-haul routes, is part of an ambitious programme to build civilian planes and bridge the gap in aeronautical expertise with countries like China and Brazil.
‘It’s India’s decade in aviation’