Pakistan's Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircrafts

[Bull]

DRDO seeks partner for early warning and control system programme

DRDO seeks partner for early warning and control system programme


Ravi Sharma


It has initiated pre-proposal talks with some private and public sector companies, including Larsen and Toubro, Tata Power and Bharat Electronics Limited




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Airborne early warning and control system aircraft for IAF

Technical evaluation of Embraer EMB-145 aircraft completed


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Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is looking for a partner in the product maintenance of the three airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) aircraft that it is building for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The DRDO had initiated pre-proposal talks with some private and public sector companies, including Larsen and Toubro, Tata Power and Bharat Electronics Limited for the “eye in the sky” project.

It would like to work out a transparent, internal process for evaluation that could be used to choose a partner.

A transparent shortlist, with the criteria required to benchmark the contenders, is to be put up shortly.

Thereafter, a request for proposal will be put out.

Rs. 1,800-cr. project

The Rs. 1,800-crore project involves using a flying platform (most likely the Embraer EMB 145) and mounting sensors (radars) that look deep and far, and provide C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions by datalink for both tactical and defence forces.

While in the AEW&CS the lofted sensors will transmit information to a command and control centre on the ground, in the case of the AWACS (airborne warning and control system) the sensors disseminate information to a command centre that is part of the flying platform itself.

D. Banerjee, Chief Controller, Research and Development (Aeronautics and Material Science), DRDO, told The Hindu that with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expressing its unwillingness to join in the project, it was crucial that a partner was chosen at the very beginning itself.

“HAL is basically an aircraft company, while this will involve maintenance of a complicated radar system, software maintenance and its periodic upgrading.

The question before us is whether to choose an aircraft specialist or a systems (radar) specialist. Whoever it is, it ought to be done quickly,” he said.

At present, a number of DRDO laboratories are involved in various aspects of the AEW&CS programme. The Defence Electronics Application Laboratory is involved with the primary sensors, communication systems and data link; the Defence Avionics Research Establishment with the self-protection systems, electronic warfare suites and communication support systems and the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory with counter-support measures.

While the radar is from the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, the responsibility for the overall integration of the systems, mission computer, display and data handling will be that of the Bangalore-based Centre for Airborne Systems.

Primary radar

Dr. Banerjee said the AEW&CS’s primary radar was well on its way: “The TR (transmit receive) module is ready. It will shortly be going for acceptance tests. We may also look around for some sort of consultancy for the systems integration.”

Running years behind schedule, the AEW&CS programme got an unexpected boost, when the Government, after over two years of bureaucratic delays, sent out a request for proposal to Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, asking for details on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.

Dr. Banerjee disclosed that the technical evaluation of the EMB-145 was over and that it conformed to the IAF’s technical requirements.

“The aircraft has several hours of endurance and in-flight refuelling.

Long road ahead

Stressing that it was the IAF and not the DRDO which chose the aircraft, Dr. Banerjee said that in a cost-performance trade-off, the 145 was the “cheapest possible option available.” Commercial negotiations would get under way in September.

Dr. Banerjee, however, contended that commercial negotiation was only the beginning of the long road ahead before the AEW&CS could be ready.

“Once the radar is mounted on the flying platform, the aircraft’s technical specifications, such as its aero dynamism and handling, will change. Embraer will have to get it recertified in the changed configuration.”

There are also bound to be issues such as the mounting of the radar on the EMB 145’s fuselage, the aircraft’s overall endurance with payload (radar) and a modification of the mounts that will receive the radar.

The Hindu : National : DRDO seeks partner for early warning and control system programme

 

[hoodhood1]

I think the pictured AWAC aircraft is HS-748 of IAF. I have done some time on this aircraft, It's quite slow and even being a turbo prop it vibrates a lot. Maybe due to this vibration the Radome collapsed or it was mounted too high.

 

[ied_blast]

india is working on AESA radar of there own.....for jets & and if things gets in place
then an AWACs
read this
T/R Module Technology

radar parts on display in bangalore airshow

here is the air-frame of AWACs

 

[Keysersoze]

The EMB 145 is a good platform (The Brazilians use Erieye on their platforms) the only issue would be whether the radar can be produced in time.....

Running years behind schedule, the AEW&CS programme got an unexpected boost, when the Government, after over two years of bureaucratic delays, sent out a request for proposal to Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, asking for details on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.

 

[Keysersoze]

To take it back to Pakistani AWACS

With the Endurance of 9+ and 14+ on the 9/10 platforms being procured and the relative ranges it would allow 24 hour coverage over the vital areas during a wartime situation.

 

[Contrarian]

For a general update on Indian awacs program. DRDO built the mini awacs type radar for the emb platform, but the IAF has now said that 'circumstances' have changed and they require a full fledged awacs with a bigger platform with very high endurance. In effect they want a Phalcon type system, to which DRDO has responded that it will take time.

IAF in effect changed the ASQR "AGAIN".

 

[Contrarian]

Yes, you are right. I wonder how you got this smart!!

 

[IceCold]

Yes, you are right. I wonder how you got this smart!!

Lolzzz....why do you even bother to answer that.

 

[Contrarian]

Couldnt resist.lol. I hope he got the intended sarcasm though, otherwise it was a waste of my energy.

 

[Keysersoze]

For a general update on Indian awacs program. DRDO built the mini awacs type radar for the emb platform, but the IAF has now said that 'circumstances' have changed and they require a full fledged awacs with a bigger platform with very high endurance. In effect they want a Phalcon type system, to which DRDO has responded that it will take time.

IAF in effect changed the ASQR "AGAIN".

Well it seems they have a habit of allowing feature creep to screw up procurement again. I guess the rumours in regards to a further Phalcon procurement have not reached fruition. I wonder if the shortage of IL-76's have played a part in this?

 

[Contrarian]

No actually, the govt was banking upon the indegenous AWACS to complement the Phalcons. Now that IAF has rejected the home made AWACS and asked DRDO to make a radar system and fit it in a full fledged platform like a Boeing plane or the Il-76, they have made sure that no indegenous plane comes for another 10 years. This gives them a BRILLIANT excuse to ask for more Phalcons. You see where im going with this?

 

[Keysersoze]

No actually, the govt was banking upon the indegenous AWACS to complement the Phalcons. Now that IAF has rejected the home made AWACS and asked DRDO to make a radar system and fit it in a full fledged platform like a Boeing plane or the Il-76, they have made sure that no indegenous plane comes for another 10 years. This gives them a BRILLIANT excuse to ask for more Phalcons. You see where im going with this?

Well with the "speedy" Indian procurement system I would say it is probably going to take just as long for the additional Phalcons to show up...

 

[Contrarian]

Nah. I'd say in this case, 5 years for new Phalcons. Things work fast when Israel is concerned, neither is it so publicised.

 

[Munir]

It took decades to buy Hawk so what makes you think that IAF will get Phalocons faster? IAF is busy with upgrading Mig21, Mig27, Mig29A, Mirage2000... The only big bang was MKI and even that needs to be seen in reality how well it performes against more stealthy agile and optimized SAM, AWACS environment...

The fact that IAF rejected is good for IAF but bad for India. Cash flow, TOT etc... But getting it fast sounds more like a dream then reality.

 

[Contrarian]

Like i said, youd be surprised at the speed with which India's dealings with Israel takes place. They are not accompanied by the usual pre buy hype that this or that is being bought. Its simply bought then the first details are released. But this is something quite important, if IAF makes noises that there arent enough AWACS, govt will get it ASAP.

In either case, the Phalcon deal is already signed and this would be a follow on order, not a new order(you know the difference-no new tender, negotiations, etc, etc), and by the previous deal, India can buy 3 more Phalcons from Israel.