Embraer To Roll Out Indian AEW And C On Feb. 21

India’s Embraer-built Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) is scheduled for rollout Feb. 21 in Brazil.

A senior defense official confirmed to Aviation Week Jan. 27 that the first flight of the modified EMB-145 is expected around May. “The first EMB-145 will land in India in August 2011 for system integration and subsequent induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF),” the official says.

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the AEW&C program in October 2004. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) gave the task to the Bengaluru-based Center for Airborne Systems (CABS). The initial project was approved at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore ($396 million) to develop two operational systems and one engineering prototype within 78 months. But the IAF could only finalize the operational requirements in 2007. CCS looked into the delay and extended the probable date of completion to March 2014, while approving funds to carry out additional tasks.

“The AEW&C with the systems integrated by CABS will fly in India in early 2012,” the official says. “CABS have already begun the integration on ground-based systems [according to the] exact specifications [of] the EMB-145, including the seating arrangements.”

AEW&C is seen as a force multiplier for IAF’s surveillance activities and is expected to boost India’s network-centric warfare capabilities. “In addition to surveillance and tracking of aircraft and UAVS, the system can also detect emissions and communications from radar,” the official says.

The Indian AEW&C system can operate with a maximum crew of 12. “It can fly non-stop for 10-12 hours with midair-refueling,” the official adds. “The all-up weight is 24 tons. The aircraft is being modified to enable mounting of mission systems and be certified for airworthiness, including conditions, by Brazilian authorities as per the FAR 25 standard.”

F-22 Raptor, 'smartest fighter' likely at Aero India

The world’s most advanced combat aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, is likely to make a rare appearance outside the US during the upcoming Aero India show in Bangalore next month. This will be the first appearance of the stealth fighter, which is also the only operational fifth generation fighter aircraft in the world, in India and its third participation at an international air show.

Final details are being worked out by the US, but sources said that two of the fighters are set to be flown in for the air show that begins on February 9 and will be showcased as a static display. Defence Ministry officials confirmed that the fighter is likely to make its Indian debut at the air show, making the latest edition of the Aero India the grandest ever.

While it was inducted into the US military in 2005, the stealth aircraft has rarely been seen outside its country and has made appearances only at limited air shows, the first being at Farnborough in 2008. According to a release by the US State department, the only other participation has been at an air show in Chile last year. However, the fighter has also carried out flying demonstrations at the Dubai air show. Its participation at the Aero India would take it up by several notches in the international order of air shows.

While the F-22 Raptor’s appearance will be a last minute surprise, it has been speculated that the recent Indian contract to purchase fifth generation fighters from Russia and the first flight of the Chinese fifth generation fighter, J 20, could have had some influence on the decision. As of now, US legislation prevents the sale of the F-22 to any foreign nation, including close allies such as Japan.

The F-22 would be the most anticipated participant at the Aero India, but this year’s air show will see close to 100 aircraft participating, a number that has never been achieved before. In comparison, during the last show in 2009, less than 50 aircraft took part. Other notable participants will be the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, F/A 18, F 16 and the Saab Gripen.

The biggest participant will be the US that is bringing in several aircraft, including 10 fighters, the C 17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and the WC 130 J Weatherbird. A notable absentee in this year’s show will be the Russian MiG 35 that is unlikely to come even though it is one of the six contenders for the IAF’s MMRCA programme.

''Hercules'' to be inducted in IAF on Feb 5

Boosting its Special Operations capabilities, the Indian Air Force will formally induct its first C-130 J ''Hercules'' transport aircraft on February 5.

The aircraft is likely to arrive in the country by the end of this month and would be formally inducted into the IAF at a ceremony at its home base Hindan air base near here on February 5, IAF officials said here.

The first of the six aircraft procured by India under aUSD 970 million deal was handed over to IAF in mid-December.

The aircraft is expected to enhance IAF''s special missions capability along with transporting men and material.

India had purchased the aircraft under the US government's Foreign Military Sales route that includes an offset clause under which the firm will invest 30 per cent of the deal amount back in Indian defence industry.

The aircraft will be based at Hindan in Ghaziabad just outside the capital, where the infrastructure for its deployment has been completed.

The aircraft would also be pressed into service for transporting special forces from the capital to other placesin the country in case need arises.

The US government had offered a unique C-130J configuration modified for special mission roles and these will be the first uniquely configured aircraft in the IAF fleet for its special operations.

The aircraft will be able to perform precision low-level flying, air drops, and landing in blackout conditions. Special features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environment.

India is also planning to place orders for six more similar aircraft and likely to send a Letter of Request to the US Government in this regard in near future.

100,000 flying hours for Eurofighter Typhoon

The operational fleet of Eurofighter Typhoons in service since the second half of 2003 achieved the impressive milestone of 100,000 flying hours in January 2011.

This total was celebrated today during an event held at Eurofighter headquarters in Munich, Germany. At the event were senior representatives from the Eurofighter programme, Eurofighter management agency NETMA alongside senior staff from all six customer nations including those from the export customers Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The 100,000 hours were achieved flying the Typhoons in the bitter cold weather of the Baltic Sea, in the temperate climate of the Tyrrhenian Coast, in the torrid heat of the Arabic Peninsula and over the rough South Atlantic Sea. A range of operational scenarios have tested the Typhoon to its limits and is testament to the reliability; operational readiness and the durability of the platform and systems under operational conditions.

Enzo Casolini, CEO of Eurofighter GmbH stated “This achievement for the Eurofighter programme demonstrates the maturity reached by the platform and the reliability of it as a defence system. In addition, this key event shows in clear terms what can be achieved through international cooperation and partnership. With so much achieved to date and so much still to look forward to, I am proud to say I am part of such a successful programme”.

With the first 5,000 flying hours achieved by November 2005, 10,000 hours came in August 2006, 20,000 in May 2007 and by August 2008 the Typhoon had surpassed 50,000 hours. This increase in activity matches the steady delivery of aircraft to the customers. The operational fleets have more than 260 aircraft in service - the largest number among the new generation fighters available in the world today.

These fleets are spread across a wide range of squadrons and deployments; six from the UK (four in Coningsby, one in Leuchars and one in Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands); four in Italy (two in Grosseto and two in Gioia del Colle); three in Germany (Laage, Neuburg and Nörvenich), as well as one each in Spain, Austria and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - all having contributed to the 100,000 flying hour total.

With Tranche 2 production in full swing, all 148 Tranche 1 aircraft delivered and the retrofit programme bringing them all to their latest block configuration, the Typhoon is establishing its footprint within the partner and export Customer air forces as the backbone of the operations both in terms of air dominance and ground support roles.

This new milestone for the Eurofighter programme provides another strong message about the operational availability of the Typhoon and highlights the benefits of investing in such a capable aircraft. Video footage of each nation participating in the 100,000th hour was shown to guests at the event. The video is available on line at

www.eurofighter.com/media/video-library.html

Part Of Airbus Tanker's Refueling Boom Falls Off During Exercise

A substantial part of the in-flight refueling boom onboard an Airbus A330 MRTT tanker destined for the Royal Australian Air Force has broken off and fallen into the Atlantic during an exercise.

The major part of the boom broke off part-way through refueling a Portuguese Air Force F-16 at around 5 p.m. Jan. 19, an Airbus Military spokesman said.

Both aircraft returned to their respective bases with minor damage. The tanker was being flown by an Airbus crew at the time of the incident.

A statement from the Australian Department of Defence said no Australian personnel were onboard at the time of the break.

The spokesman said it was the 14th refueling contact of the exercise.

He said it was too early to say whether technical, human or other factors caused the boom to break off.

European military airworthiness authorities and Airbus Military have begun investigating the incident.

Australia has purchased five of the MRTT aircraft, with the first machine expected to be delivered next month. It is not clear yet whether the delivery of the first aircraft will be delayed as a result of the incident.

The boom was designed by EADS and has yet to enter service with any air force. The system is the same one being offered to the U.S. Air Force in the tanker competition underway against rival bidder Boeing.

EADS conducted the first in-flight wet contact with its Air Refueling Boom System in early 2008, again operating with a Portuguese F-16.

The ARBS is 17 meters long at full extension. The fly-by-wire system is controlled remotely by an operator from a console in the cockpit.

Airbus bids for IAF's midair refueller contract

NEW DELHI: Airbus Military, a European consortium, on Thursday said it has bid to supply six mid-air refuellers to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF had re-issued the tender in September 2010. The original tender for the air refueller was first issued a couple of years ago, but was cancelled following the finance ministry's objection to the cost put forth by Airbus Military, whose A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft was selected for awarding the contract.

With Boeing not bidding for the tender, Airbus Military is now pitted against the Russian Ilyushin, which has offered the IL-78 for the contract.

The IAF is already operating six of the IL-78 refuellers in its fleet for over half a decade now and the squadron is based at Agra air force base.

Airbus Military's market development head Didier Vernet told reporters here that the company had submitted its proposals for the IAF tender last week. The deadline for responding to the tender expired Jan 12 this year.

He said the firm would submit its offsets proposals for the contract by April. Under the defence procurement procedures, a global firm winning a contract for defence orders worth over Rs 300 crore will have to plough back 30 percent of the deal in Indian defence industry, aerospace, internal security or training sectors.

The IAF is expected to make a follow-on order of the aircraft it chooses as the present tenders or Request for Proposals provide for such a purchase on the basis of the price agreed under the contract.

The new midair refuellers are required by the IAF to augment its existing IL-78 fleet. The air-to-air refuellers are used by air forces for refuelling its fighters and transport aircraft while in flight to enhance the endurance of these platforms.

The midair refuellers are a major force multiplier for air forces so as to keep their fighter jets in air to respond to security threats for longer periods of time.

This time around, the IAF has asked the global manufacturers of midair refuellers to submit their proposals as per life cycle costs.

Vernet, responding to queries if the life cycle costs calculation in the tender will be beneficial, said compared to IL-78s his company's product would be far more economical to operate and maintain.

The A330 MMTT, he said, could be converted for a transport role too within a matter of an hour or two.