SP's Aviation 96052012

CCS has accorded formal approval to a
BREAKING deal with Swiss firm Pilatus for 75 PC-7

NEWS
Aviation
Mk-II basic trainer aircraft for the IAF
SP’s An SP Guide Publication

`75.00 (India-based buyer only)
News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.
www.spsaviation.net may • 2012
• Streamline Defence Procurement

• Regional Aviation: The Only
only Way
way Out
out
• Light Utility Helicopters
• Defexpo 2012 Review
• Agni-V
Agni V
and more...
Office
Skies
in the
RNI NUMBER: DELENG/2008/24199
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SP’s An SP Guide Publication
Table of Contents News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.
Issue 5 • 2012
For a fixed monthly fee, business aircraft passengers
16
can use their laptops, smart phones and tablets, to enjoy
a high speed Internet experience. ViaSat has developed
VMT-1500 communications shipset for large cabin
business aircraft like Cessna Citation and others. Cessna Citation
First 41 ‘We seek to be a long-standing,

4 Maiden Trip lead story trusted partner to India’
Tecknow 42 ‘India will be near the top of the
6 Fuel-burn Reduced
Office in the Skies
world’s strongest economies in
10 to 20 years’
SP’s Exclusive Understanding the‘connectivity
7 Pilatus Deal for IAF Conference Report
urge’, business jet operators
It’s Done, Finally
have factored in ICT on board,
26 DPP
Military Streamline DPP
14 Viewpoint giving a competitive edge to
Deterring the Dragon the high-flying executive. The Regular Departments
30 Helicopters market is only opening up now. 3 A Word from Editor
Twin Tracking
• NewsWithViews
32 UCAV 8 – NAL to Build a 90-Seater
Gaining Momentum
BREAKING
NEWS
CCS has accorded formal approval to a
deal with Swiss firm Pilatus for 75 PC-7
10
Aviation
Mk-II basic trainer aircraft for the IAF
SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION – Army’s Wait to Replace Ageing

`75.00 (INDIA-BASED BUYER ONLY)
Civil Choppers Gets Longer

20 Regional Aviation
News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.
11 In Focus

www.spsaviation.net MAY • 2012
The Only Way Out

• STREAMLINE DEFENCE PROCUREMENT
••REGIONAL
REGIONAL AVIATION:
AVIATION: THE ONLY WAY OUT
India in ICBM League

• LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTERS
• DEFEXPO 2012 REVIEW
23
• AGNI-V
AGNI V
12
AND MORE...
Industry Forum
Newest & Latest Dawn of A New Era
24 Industry 43 Hall of Fame
Bell Opens New Office
OFFICE
Skies
in the Wiley Post (1898 - 1935)
RNI NUMBER: DELENG/2008/24199
Show Report 44
Falcon 7X by Dassault
NewsDigest
34 Defexpo
48
SP's Aviation Cover 05-12.indd 1 11/05/12 7:45 PM
Indigenisation Mantra Cover Photo: About 20 Falcons are currently LastWord

operating in India and several others are on order. A Long Way to Go
Interview Almost half of the new aircraft orders are for
Defexpo Dassault’s flagship, the Falcon 7X, the first business
Next Issue:
40 ‘India will be one of the most jet certified with a fully-digital flight control system.
important growth markets in Future Unmanned Systems
the world’ Image By: Dassault Falcon
Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 1

Table of Contents
PLUS... Publisher And Editor-in-Chief design & LAYOUT

Jayant Baranwal Senior Art Director: Anoop Kamath
Designers: Vimlesh Kumar Yadav,
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DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING
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Senior Technical Group EditorS SALES & MARKETING

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Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand
SP’s websites
20 The Only Way Out Senior Copy editor &

Sr Web Developer: Shailendra Prakash Ashish
Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma
Correspondent
Sucheta Das Mohapatra © SP Guide Publications, 2012
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reserved. No part of this publication may be

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2 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

A Word from Editor
Our DPP needs to be
streamlined so that our
armed forces do not remain
in a state of flux; Dealings
remain transparent and clearer
for overseas and domestic
suppliers; Our men in uniform
working 24x7 receive the best
solutions to be equipped with
I
n the immediate wake of the Defexpo 2012, we at
SP’s felt an urgent need to organise a seminar-cum-
thereby capable to handle any
workshop on streamlining India’s laborious and lab-
yrinthine Defence Procurement Procedure. The May
kind of challenges coming
2 day-long conference witnessed industrialists, dip-
lomats, bureaucrats, policy makers, defence person-
from any quarters; Offsets and
nel, politicians, etc pondering and talking about “Streamlin-
ing the Defence Procurement System”. alike elements should work as
The business aviation market is opening up now and call
rates will find its keel, like the way mobiles did over years. enabler rather than disabler;
An article “30,000 Feet Up, Business as Usual” throws light
on how business jet operators have factored in ICT on board,
giving a competitive edge to the high-flying executives. Like-
And decisions are taken on time
wise, regional aviation has become a vital segment of the
airline industry in many parts of the world. And though
so that situations do not go out
not commercially viable, there is simply no alternative to
regional aviation in taking aviation services to remote and
of hand/out of control.
isolated communities.
On a positive note, India’s successful launch of Agni-V
with ICBM capabilities came as morale-boosting news for the
entire nation, but much more still needs to be done before
the party begins. All this and much more! Happy reading.
the editor-in-chief offers vote

Jayant Baranwal
of thanks during the event on Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Streamlining DPP held on may 2

First
F
Maiden
Trip
T
he first Voyager aircraft took to the skies on
April 8, 2012, for its maiden flight under the com-
mand of an AirTanker crew to signal the commence-
ment of the future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA)
Voyager achieves its first
flight in RAF service
Aviation Authority standards. Based at RAF Brize Norton,

ATrS has built a strong team including both civilian and
military expertise.
AirTanker plans to deliver the full capability of 14 air-
service to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The FSTA programme craft by 2016. The nine aircraft that form the RAF core fleet
is being delivered by the AirTanker consortium, of which will be delivered by May 2014. The service will operate air-
Thales UK is a member. craft on both the military and civilian registers.
The aircraft, a version of the Airbus Military A330 multi- In the next 12 months, the Voyager team will conduct
role tanker transport aircraft, took off from RAF Brize Nor- planned procedural activities ensuring the aircraft contin-
ton for a training sortie around the UK to allow the Air- ues through its intensive programme to be ready for future
Tanker crew to familiarise themselves with the aircraft and operational environments. During this time, the aircraft will
achieve the first part of the Voyager crew training schedule. be based at RAF Brize Norton to allow air and ground crews
The Voyager aircraft was delivered by Airbus Military complete air transport and air-to-air refuelling familiarisa-
to AirTanker at the end of last year and demonstrates a tion training and development on the aircraft type.
Photograph: Airbus Military
development in technology that will provide the RAF with Thales UK provides the mission simulators, defensive
an advanced air-to-air refuelling, passenger transport and aids, avionics and mission planning systems for the FSTA
aero-medical capability. As a modern and efficient airframe, programme. SP
Voyager is quieter and more fuel efficient than any other
aircraft currently based at RAF Brize Norton.
AirTanker Services (ATrS), the service delivery company, E-mail your comments to:
is ready to support and operate the Voyager aircraft to Civil letters@spsaviation.net

Business. Class.
900XP
There’s a remarkable aircraft that embodies the notion of balance without compromise – the Hawker 900XP.
It’s the midsize jet where business and lifestyle masterfully coexist. As do other demands such
as technology and dependability, range and payload, comfort and performance, to name just a few.
When it’s time for business, choose the jet that continues to set the standard for India, and does so without
compromise. The Hawker 900XP. Innovation Above All.
HawkerBeechcraft.com
© 2012 HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HAWKER AND BEECHCRAFT ARE TRADEMARKS OF HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION.
TecKnow
T
Fuel-burn A new winglet design
Reduced concept for the 737 MAX
B
oeing has recently announced a new winglet er winglet concept into one advanced treatment for the wings
design concept for the 737 MAX. The new advanced of the 737 MAX. The advanced technology winglet fits within
technology winglet will provide MAX customers up today’s airport gate constraints while providing more effective
to an additional 1.5 per cent fuel-burn improvement, span and thereby reducing drag. Ongoing 737 MAX testing in
depending on range, on top of the 10-12 per cent improve- the wind tunnel validated the new concept on the airplane.
ment already offered on the new-engine variant. The super-efficient design has been incorporated into
“The advanced technology winglet demonstrates Boe- the 737 MAX design and production system plans. “We have
ing’s continued drive to improve fuel burn and the corre- assessed the risk and understand how to leverage this new
sponding value to the customer. With this technology and technology on the MAX within our current schedule,” said
others being built into the MAX, we will extend our leader- Teal. “This puts us on track to deliver substantial additional
ship,” said Jim Albaugh, President and CEO, Boeing Com- fuel savings to our customers in 2017.” Airlines operating the
mercial Airplanes. “Incorporating this advanced technology 737 MAX now will gain an 18 per cent fuel-burn per seat
into the 737 MAX design will give our customers even more improvement over today’s A320.
advantage in today’s volatile fuel price environment.” “Adding the advanced technology winglet to the 737 MAX
Compared to today’s wingtip technology which provides is consistent with our demonstrated performance on deliv-
up to a four per cent fuel-burn advantage at long ranges, ering increasing value to our customers, on time, through-
the advanced technology winglet provides a total fuel-burn out the life of the 737 programme,” said Beverly Wyse, Vice
improvement of up to 5.5 per cent on the same long routes. President and General Manager, 737 programme.
“The concept is more efficient than any other wingtip device Till date, the 737 MAX has more than 1,000 orders and
Photographs: Boeing
in the single-aisle market because the effective wing span in- commitments from 16 customers worldwide. SP
crease is uniquely balanced between the upper and lower parts
of the winglet,” said Michael Teal, Chief Project Engineer, 737
MAX. Boeing aerodynamicists used advanced computational E-mail your comments to:
fluid dynamics to combine rake tip technology with a dual feath- letters@spsaviation.net

BREAKING
SP’s Exclusive PILATUS DEAL FOR IAF NEWS
It’s Done, PC-7 Mk-II: data sheet
Finally
The PC-7 Mk-II is a training aircraft powered by a 700 shp Pratt & Whitney
PT6A-25C turboprop engine with a Hartzell four-blade aluminium propeller.
The de-rating of the engine from 850-shp ensures low direct operating costs
and a long engine life. The performance of the PC-7 Mk-II is docile enough
for a beginner, but with sufficient power for more demanding basic phases.
Take-off distance over 50 ft (15 m)

obstacle at sea level.........................................1,360 ft................... 415 m
A
fter a delay that made the Indian Air Landing distance over 50 ft (15 m)
Force (IAF) jittery, the Cabinet Commit- obstacle at sea level.........................................2,180 ft................... 665 m
Max. rate of climb, sea level..................... 2,910 ft/min.......... 14.79 m/sec
tee on Security (CCS) has accorded formal
Max. operating speed (Vmo)........................ 300 KEAS.............. 556 km/h
approval to a deal with Swiss firm Pilatus Max. horizontal cruise speed
for 75 PC-7 Mk.2 basic trainer aircraft for IAF. The at sea level (Vh)............................................ 242 KTAS.............. 448 km/h
PC-7 won out in a competition that has taken two Max. horizontal cruise speed
years, defeating two rivals in the final round -- the at 10,000 ft (Vh)........................................... 255 KTAS.............. 472 km/h
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KT-1 and the Stall speed
American Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II. De- - flaps and gear up (Vs).................................. 75 KCAS.............. 139 km/h
fence Minister A.K. Antony informed Parliament - flaps and gear down (VSO so) ..................... 68 KCAS.............. 126 km/h
recently that a formal protest from runner-up KAI g loads aerobatic configuration utility category
had been found to be “devoid of merit”. A formal - Max. positive...................................................... 7.0 g..................... 4.5 g
contract between the Indian Government and Pila- - Max. negative .................................................. - 3.5 g.................. -2.25 g
tus Aircraft will be signed in the next two months. Max. range.......................................................810 nm.............. 1,500 km
As per IAF stipulations, deliveries of the brand- Weights
new trainers will begin 15 months after contract Basic empty weight
signature, with 24 aircraft to be delivered to the (dep. on configuration).................................... 3,771 lb............... 1,710 kg
IAF in 25 months. The Pilatus PC-7 is a low-wing Max. take-off weight,
tandem seat basic propeller trainer, 500 of which acrobatic configuration................................... 4,960 lb............... 2,250 kg
Photograph: Pilatus
have been sold in two variants over the last three Dimension & Geometry
decades. India will be the 19th military operator of Fuselage length..............................................33 ft 4 in................ 10.18 m
the aircraft type. SP Wing span......................................................33 ft 5 in................ 10.19 m
Source: Pilatus
—SP’s Special Correspondent

NewsWithViews
NAL to build a 90-seater

India is working on developing its own 90-seater aircraft with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) stating, “The strategy for its
production has already been evolved” with the design “planned to have unique features like enhanced fuel efficiency, use of biofuel with low carbon
footprint, short- to long-range haul, shorter airstrip requirements and ultra modern avionics”. A design bureau has been set up to undertake design
and development of the plane, called the National Civil Aircraft (NCA-90). A total of seven prototypes are proposed to be developed to prove the
design and demonstrate compliance with respect to airworthiness requirements and certification.
VIEWS
F
rom the news, it is evident that the CSIR is However, what is really baffling is the news that NAL would
embarked upon an idea to produce India’s own produce seven prototypes with not only different airframe de-
home-made aircraft for its regional aviation market. signs but also with different power plants including turboprops
Earlier reports had suggested the aircraft to be a and turbofans. While multiple doodling employing computer
70-seater called, ‘Regional Transport Aircraft’ (RTA-70). The aided design (CAD) as design tools may be carried out in full, it
task of design and development has been entrusted to the would indeed be foolhardy to actually produce so many proto-
National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) at Bangalore, one of types for final selection. It may also be remembered that India
the 41 CSIR-controlled institutions located in different parts is already engaged in a joint venture with Russia to produce
of the country. Confirming the news, Planning Commission a multi-role, jet-powered, military transport aircraft which
said the aircraft will be tailored to suit market requirements. would be able to carry 88 to 100 paratroops/passengers or up
It is not the first time that NAL to 20 tonnes of cargo with a de-
indulged in the design and devel- sign range suitably configured up
opment of a civil transport air- to 2,500 km. The aircraft will have
craft. Saras, a 14-seater aircraft, inherent characteristics to be used
had been under development for for civil application if required.
more than a decade by NAL; but What needs to be done by the
the programme went into disarray CSIR-sponsored project managers
when on March 6, 2009, two IAF is to zero in on meeting the re-
test pilots along with a flight test quirements of regional civil avia-
engineer were killed when the sec- tion market in India. Keeping in
ond prototype crashed near Ban- view the close proximity of Tier-I
galore. It is quite apparent there- and Tier-II cities within India and
fore that NAL on its own does not ‘traveller density’, it would be
have the requisite expertise to try desirable to opt for a 70/90-seat
and develop an aircraft of the size aircraft with a range not exceed-
envisaged. Sensing this, CSIR has ing 1,000 km. Secondly, the ATF
rightly decided to follow a public- pricing policies of the Indian Gov-
private partnership (PPP) route to ernment would demand that the
ensure success of the venture. It aircraft be as fuel-efficient as pos-
has created two separate commit- sible, both from the point of view
tees—one for a joint development of airframe design as well as se-
that is looking for a corporate lection of power plants— prefer-
group or groups who will partici- ably turboprops, with capability
pate in jointly developing the air- to run on biofuel blends.
craft from scratch followed by its NAL would do well to run a
commercial production—and the tightly-controlled budgetary and
second for overseeing the entire timeline programme on similar
project of developing the aircraft. lines as adopted by the highly
Besides NAL, the other public sector undertakings (PSUs) successful Brazilian company Embraer i.e. selecting a suitable
participating in the project are the Hindustan Aeronautics design through meticulous research, followed by development
Limited (HAL), Defence Research and Development Organ- of a single set of prototype aircraft with the help of partners
Photograph: SP Guide PUbns
isation (DRDO), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Aero- both domestic and from abroad to cater to different strategic
nautical Development Agency (ADA). Names being thrown areas. Flight-testing would also have to be time-compressed
up from the private sector include HCL, Quest, Infosys, Ma- to bring the aircraft to the manufacturing stage as soon as
hindra, L&T and Tata Group. NAL was also reportedly in possible. The ultimate requirement of such an aircraft could
discussions with global engine manufacturers such as Pratt exceed 500 for the Indian market alone, not to speak of the
& Whitney of Canada and General Electric of US and avion- vast potential for export— if marketed competitively. SP
ics firms like Rockwell Collins and Diehl Aerospace. —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

NewsWithViews
Army’s wait to replace ageing choppers gets longer

Indian Army’s hopes of replacing the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters anytime soon have received a blow. Plans were afoot for the acquisi-
tion of 197 light helicopters for the Army. But allegations of irregularities in the trials of two contenders—Kamov and Eurocopter—has forced the
Defence Ministry to order an independent probe into the evaluation process. The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister A.K.
Antony has set up a Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) under a Lieutenant General to go into the flight evaluation process followed for the two
contenders. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month.
VIEWS
A
llegations of irregularity, kickbacks, de- dor, the figure of 197 machines was retained with the imported
viation from procedure and involvement of middlemen assets being shared amongst the three services. The responsibil-
appear to have become routine in global tenders for ity to design and develop by 2017 a helicopter of the same class
procurement of defence hardware under the Defence and performance was assigned to the Hindustan Aeronautics
Procurement Procedure (DPP). In an effort to replace the ageing Limited. Initially, the company is required to supply a total of
fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters of the Indian Army, a 187 for the three services as part of the initial order.
request for proposal (RFP) was floated by the Ministry of De- For the 2008 RFP, once again two machines were short-
fence (MoD) in 2003 for 197 light utility helicopters. Of the ini- listed for flight trials, the single-engine Eurocopter AS 550
tial five contenders in the race, Eurocopter AS 550 C3 Fennec C3 Fennec and the twin-engine Russian Kamov-226 Sergei.
and the Bell-407 were the two shortlisted for flight evaluation Surprisingly, Bell Helicopter that had filed a complaint in the
in which the Fennec emerged as first round did not participate this
the preferred machine. However, time. Flight trials on the two ma-
in December 2007, the tender chines were completed in Decem-
was cancelled by the MoD at the ber 2010 and the report submit-
last minute following investiga- ted. However, the tender process
tion into allegations by one of the hit the first roadblock in Novem-
contenders for wrongdoing. The ber 2011 when the Defence Fi-
investigation revealed that indeed nance raised issues regarding
there was deviation from proce- deviation from RFP during flight
dure in flight evaluation in which evaluation wherein the capabil-
Eurocopter had fielded the AS350 ity of the machines to hover at an
B3, the civilian version of the he- altitude of 6,000 metres was not
licopter for high altitude trials tested. Considering this capability
instead of the AS550 C3 military to be irrelevant as the require-
variant. The company maintained ment of the RFP was somewhat
that there really was no qualitative over-pitched, the MoD set aside
difference in the performance of the observation, ordering further
the two machines, a contention, processing of the tender.
though logical, was not accepted The MoD has now received
by the MoD. Investigations also in- a complaint pertaining to defi-
dicated the involvement of middle- ciency of certain other opera-
men prohibited under the rules. tional capabilities of one of the
The sudden cancellation of machines that are alleged to have
the tender especially when it was been overlooked during flight
in the final stages, sent shock- evaluation. Even if minor, given
waves in the global aerospace the prevailing environment and
industry as also impinged on the the turbulence the Indian defence
credibility of the Indian defence procurement system is going
procurement system. What was more agonising was that through, it is unlikely that the MoD would permit further pro-
over five years of laborious and expensive exercise by the cessing of the tender without a thorough investigation and a
vendors and the Army, proved futile. Incidentally, this was clear verdict that there has been no deviation from procedure.
the second major defence tender to be cancelled by the MoD As the TOC appointed by the MoD goes about its work,
Photograph: eurocopter
in 2007, the first being a `4,000-crore proposal for purchase the industry watches with bated breath and a degree of con-
of 400 upgraded 155mm artillery pieces for the Indian Army. sternation that history may well repeat itself. Meanwhile,
The tender for helicopters was floated a second time in July hopes of the Indian Army to provide better lifeline to the
2008. This time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy troops deployed in the inhospitable regions of the country
also joined in with their demands pushing the total requirement may continue to remain a distant dream. SP
to 384 machines. However, for procurement from a foreign ven- —Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

Agni-V
India in
InFocus
Agni-V does cover the gaping

hole in India’s nuclear deterrence
against current military threat
scenarios that the country faces
ICBM League in the region, especially, from its

northern neighbour—China
W
heeler Island, April 19, 2012: After a couple
of delays caused by weather scares which includ-
ed lightning-filled skies, India’s first Agni-V missile
was given the go ahead for launch. At 8.07 a.m.
IST, the three-stage, solid-propellant missile rose majestically
in a blaze of brilliant orange plumes. The sleek 17.5-metre tall
missile, within a few seconds of its blast-off from its mobile
launcher roared into the sky riding a perfect trajectory before
disappearing into clouds amid light drizzling. The scene inside
the launch control room resembled a cricket final with India’s
top missile scientists, who were sitting glued to their computer
terminals that displayed Agni’s progress, jumped up and ap-
plauded every time the missile crossed a major milestone in
its spell-binding flight. And just 20 minutes after launch, when
the missile successfully completed its 5,000-km-long journey
that took it way south of the Equator and detonated its pay-
load at the designated spot over the Indian Ocean, it was like
India had won the 2011 One-Day International Cricket World Agni-V
Cup final all over again. India had indeed made history as with
the successful test of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)- Specifications
capable Agni-V, it fired a shot that was heard across the world. Weight 50,000 kg
April 19, 2012, will long be remembered in the annals of In- Length 17.5 m
dia’s strategic weapons quest as the golden day on which India Diameter 2m
finally came of age in terms of missilery. Warhead Nuclear
In simple terms, Agni-V does cover the gaping hole in In-
Warhead weight 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb)
dia’s nuclear deterrence against current military threat sce-
Engine Three stage solid fuel
narios that the country faces in the region, especially, from its
northern neighbour—China. In the Agni class of missiles, Agni- Operational range 5,000-8,000 km
I and Agni-II, with a range of 700 km and 2,000 km, respec- Speed Mach 24
tively, are largely meant to deter Pakistan against any nuclear Guidance system Ring laser gyroscope and inertial
misadventure. Agni-III and IV designed for China, with their navigation system, optionally
augmented by GPS. Terminal
range limit of 3,000-3,500 km was insufficient to strike all key guidance with possible radar scene
Chinese cities and other strategic locations, if the need arose. correlation
But Agni-V even with its now proven range of 5,000 km (ex- Launch platform 8 x 8 Tatra TEL and rail mobile
tendable further to put it in the ICBM class of beyond 5,000 km launcher (canisterised missile package)
range) will be capable of reaching China’s strategic and tacti- Transport Road or rail mobile
cal targets located anywhere in China, including the northern
most parts of its Territory (see Agni-V’s Specifications). This
also elevates India into an elite league of nations—only the be in tune with India’s self-proclaimed ‘no first use’ policy by
United States, Russia, China, France and UK, and possibly Is- providing it a highly credible second-strike capability that India
rael possess the capability to operate an ICBM at present. needs so desperately for its nuclear deterrence to be in place.
While congratulations are certainly in order, Agni-V is far But as things stand, it is highly likely that the canister-
from done before it can be operationally deployed to provide ised version of the missile would not be available for opera-
the necessary nuclear deterrence in the true sense of it. Accord- tional deployment before 2015.
ing to the Defence Research and Development Organisation An international event of this stature automatically gener-
(DRDO), they still have to get to a user-deliverable configuration ates ripples in the international circles. For responses across
Photograph: pib
including an ability to do a launch from a canister. With a can- the globe—comments and criticism, plus what more is in
ister-launch system to impart higher road mobility, the missile store for the Indian strategic missile programme and a com-
will give the armed forces much greater operational flexibility parison with its neighbours in this field—turn to Forum. SP
than the earlier generation of Agni missiles. This would also —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

Agni-V
Forum
Dawnof
A New Era While it would be foolhardy to suggest India gets into an
arms race to match its adversaries ‘one-to-one’ in the field of
nuclear weapons and delivery systems, there is no denying
the requirement for creating a credible nuclear deterrence
capability to thwart any nefarious designs by its two belligerent
neighbours—China and Pakistan
W
ith the launch of the 50-tonne
Agni-V missile from the Wheeler island off CHINA: LATEST ICBMs
Odisha coast on April 19 and its 20-minute Ballistic Year of Mobility Range Warhead
flight to an ‘impact point towards southern Missiles Deployment (km)
Indian Ocean’, India crossed the threshold (ICBM Class)
of a new era in its ‘credible’ strategic de- DF-31 2006 Road 7,250 - Single
terrence capability—that could bring all of China and much (CSS-9) mobile 8,000
more within its strike envelope. With the successful outcome
DF-31A 2007 Road 11,270 MIRV-3
of the very first test launch of Agni-V, India stood ready to (CSS-9 Mod-2) mobile
join the super-exclusive intercontinental ballistic missile
(ICBM) club that boasts of just five members so far, with one DF-41 2010 Road 14,000 MIRV-12
(CSS-X-10) mobile
more as probable. But the media’s euphoric contention that
India has yanked open the door to the ICBM club is still a far JL-2 2009 SLBM 8,000 - MIRV-
cry from becoming a reality. (CSS-NX-4) 12,000 3 to 6
However, much on that later; first a look on the interna-
tional response to India’s historic feat. Pakistan, India’s closest
neighbour and most possessed to achieve parity with every- evident when within a week of its test flight, Pakistan on April
thing India does, responded through its websites and news 25, test fired Hatf-4 (some called it Shaheen1A), with an un-
agencies highlighting the launch; but officially it showed little disclosed range—presumed to be in the region of 1,000 km—
concern with the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman saying and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
only that India had informed of the test ahead of time in line The West was generally supportive of the Indian endeav-
Photograph: DRDO
with an agreement they have. Unofficially, it was stated that our with BBC from UK reiterating, “The launch marked the
Pakistan was gearing up to test-launch the newer version of moment India joined an ‘elite nuclear club’ that also included
its Shaheen missile with an improved range claimed to cover China, Russia, France, the US, the UK and probably Israel.”
practically the whole of India, even when fired from deep in The United States while urging all nuclear-capable states to
Pakistan. How quickly it reacted to the Agni-V launch was exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities in general

Agni-V
Forum
terms singled out India praising its excellent non-prolifera- It needs to be remembered that India—committed as a
tion record and that “it had engaged with the international nation for the world’s total nuclear weapons disarmament—
community on such issues”. Responding to comparisons cannot be in a maddening nuclear weapons arms race. Ac-
with North Korea’s attempted launch of a long-range rocket knowledging that “China is much ahead of us”, Kanwal Sibal,
the same week, a US State Department spokesman said that a former Indian Foreign Secretary said, “We have no inten-
“India’s record stands in stark contrast to that of North Ko- tions to match their [Chinese] capabilities in every field” and
rea, which has been subject to numerous sanctions by the “we are only trying to acquire a credible deterrent capability
United Nations Security Council”. which we have lacked till now”.
China, as anticipated, came up with a two-pronged reac- Beijing, which started its nuclear weapons programme
tion. On the diplomatic front, a spokesman for China’s For- more than five decades ago has deployed so many different
eign Ministry, Liu Weimin said, “China and India are large types of missiles, it would be difficult to count them in one go.
developing nations. We are not competitors but partners. We But what is fascinating is its deployment of four new missiles
believe that both sides should cherish the hard-won good in the ICBM category (see Table on previous page), in just last
state of affairs at present and work hard to uphold friend- five years. In addition, China in 2009 also deployed perhaps
ly strategic cooperation to promote joint development and the world’s first anti-shipping ballistic missile called DF-21D,
make positive contributions towards maintaining peace and which is a road-mobile, ground-launched weapon with a
stability in the region.” In stark contrast to the sugar-coated range of 2,700 km and said to be especially developed against
words, the real Chinese reactions found their way to China’s the US ‘Carrier-Group’ types of targets in a sea-denial role.
Global Times spewing out not only negative commentary China’s superiority vis-à-vis India in the ICBMs it can
but also threat-laced warnings. It re- field against its adversaries is evident,
ported that India “still lags behind in with its latest Dong Feng (East Wind)
infrastructure construction, but its so- class of missiles, namely ‘DF-41’
ciety is highly supportive of developing Agni-V will take boasting a near global reach.
nuclear power and the West chooses
to overlook India’s disregard of the
another three to It is true that India has made no
secret of its missile development pro-
nuclear and missile control treaties”. It four years before gramme. While addressing a gathering
warned India not to “over-estimate its
strength” claiming India would stand
it emerges— soon after the launch of Agni-V, former
President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
“no chance” in an arms race. “Even canisterised (considered to be the father of India’s
if India has missiles that could reach
most parts of China, that does not
and on road/ ‘Integrated Guided Missile Develop-
ment Programme’) reminisced on how
mean it will gain anything from being rail mobile former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
arrogant,” it reiterated. “India should
be clear that China’s nuclear power is launchers—as had once asked him as to when would
the country be able to produce a missile
stronger and more reliable,” it added. a full-fledged that could cover the Chinese territory.
The somewhat rude utterances by Undoubtedly, India over the past decade
the Global Times might sound jarring to weapon system did achieve incremental range increases
the ears of the global civil community, demonstrated by Agni-I (1,200 km), Ag-
but there is certainly an element of truth ni-II (2,500 km), Agni-III (3,000 km) and
in what the Chinese paper has penned Agni-IV (also 3,000 km but with greater
down. In its nuclear weapons and deliv- accuracy) but it took almost 30 years
ery systems capability, India is no match for India to produce a missile with the
to China and the launch of Agni-V missile—currently only a range desired by Mrs Indira Gandhi—the ‘Iron Lady’ of India.
technology demonstrator and not a full-fledged weapon sys- While it would be foolhardy to suggest India gets into an
tem—can hardly be touted as the latest sign of an escalating arms race to match its adversaries ‘one-to-one’ in the field
arms race or a game-changer in India-China relations. There- of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, there is no deny-
fore, while being justifiably proud of the historical achieve- ing the requirement for creating a credible nuclear deter-
ment; India, and specially its over-hyped media, must refrain rence capability to thwart any nefarious designs by its two
from overt chest-beating, nor adopt an attitude of arrogance. belligerent neighbours—China and Pakistan. Agni-V and its
Instead, India should quietly go about building the necessary proposed upgraded derivative, when fully developed and op-
capabilities to achieve the minimum required deterrence to erationally deployed would contribute to the achievement of
match its nuclear doctrine. Agni-V will take another three to India’s ‘minimum credible nuclear deterrence’. Additionally,
four years before it emerges—canisterised and on road/rail as pointed out by Srikanth Kondapalli, Professor of Chinese
mobile launchers—as a full-fledged weapon system. Further, it Studies at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, “The Agni-V
may take a decade before the system is produced in requisite will indicate notional parity, so there will be more respect-
numbers to provide—the still largely elusive—‘second-strike’ ability (for India) in terms of the territory dispute resolution,
capability, needed so badly by the country to match its doctrine where China was negotiating from a stronger position.”
of ‘no first use’. Simultaneously, India would have to work hard But a lot more would have to be done to even achieve the
to operationalise the third, subsurface leg of its nuclear triad so-called ‘notional parity’. India and its super-hype media
by equipping its indigenous nuclear powered submarine(s) must not forget that irrefutable fact. SP
with suitable nuclear-tipped SLBMs. — Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

Military Viewpoint
Air Marshal (Retd)

B.K. Pandey
D e t e r r i n g
the Dragon
It would be imprudent and somewhat premature to declare after the
very first test launch of the Agni-V that India already possesses a
credible deterrence against the Dragon
T
he successful launch of the Agni-V missile has community in India, when viewed in the context of the formi-
thrown the nation and the media literally into a tizzy. dable array of strategic weapons that China possesses, India
Undoubtedly for the scientific community in India that is far behind. Besides, the possibility of closing the capability
is accustomed to witnessing failure as often as success, gap and achieving parity with China in the foreseeable fu-
the feat at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha is definitely ture appears somewhat difficult if not impossible. The more
good reason to celebrate. The nation ought to be proud of this viable alternative before India is to develop a second strike
feat and the scientific community certainly deserves to be fe- capability which the Agni-V being just a little more than a
licitated for this significant achievement. “technology demonstrator” in its present form, may not be
Apart from the fact that it has propelled India into the elite able to offer. Firstly, India must have the capability to cover
club as the sixth country in the world to possess intercontinen- the whole of China with the missile launched from any part
tal ballistic missiles, the Agni-V is being projected as a weapon of the country. For such a capability, the Agni-V would need
system that will provide the nation with a powerful strategic nearly twice the existing range. What is even more critical is
deterrence capability against China. The nuclear capable, road the warhead. To have adequate destructive power, the war-
mobile missile system that has the range to cover nearly the head per force would have to be nuclear of sufficient destruc-
whole of Asia, East Europe and almost nudging South African tive power to be meaningful. The precise state of develop-
and Australian coastlines, reinforces the belief that India has ment of the warhead and its integration with the delivery
indeed taken a huge step forward on the path to emerge as a vehicle is not available in the public domain. However, what
regional power and that it can provide a nuclear umbrella to is known is that the Agni-V is also planned to have the ca-
smaller nations who feel threatened by their gigantic neigh- pability to carry multiple independently targetable re-entry
bour—China. India has however always maintained that the vehicles (MIRV). This payload is expected to have the capa-
Agni-V is not directed against any particular country and the bility to deliver up to ten nuclear warheads in a single launch
capability is being developed in tandem with the growing stat- assigned to different widely separated targets. Alternatively,
ure of the nation in the region and the world. two or more warheads can be assigned to a single target. The
Once the euphoria and excitement generated by the success- MIRV payload technology is highly complex and given the
ful launch of Agni-V wanes, it would be time to take stock of the restrictive nature of international nuclear weapons regime,
achievement and the way forward. Despite persistent denials foreign assistance in this initiative is unlikely to be available.
by the government, one cannot get away from the fact that the It may take a very long time before MIRV capability is devel-
primary motivation to develop ICBM capability is the escalating oped indigenously and operationalised. And finally, the Agni-
threat from China that has built up a massive nuclear arsenal V or its successor would have to be deployed in sufficient
with missiles such as the 11,200 km Dong Feng-31A capable numbers for a meaningful second strike capability.
of hitting any part of India even when launched from deep in- Given the imponderables associated with the process of
side the country. Besides, China has a variety of long- and me- development, it is unlikely that the Agni-V will be available
dium-range missiles deployed in Tibet and Xinjiang provinces for operational deployment anytime soon and prove to be a
targeted at India. China has also replaced older liquid-fuelled, “game changer”, as it is proclaimed to be. It would therefore
nuclear-capable CSS-3 IRBM by the more advanced and surviv- be imprudent and somewhat premature to declare after the
able solid fuel CSS-5 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). very first test launch of the Agni-V that India already pos-
Despite the lofty rhetoric emanating from the strategic sesses a credible deterrence against the Dragon. SP

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Civil Business Aviation
for companies seeking
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900 lx in flight (inset)
30,000
Business as Usual
Understanding the ‘connectivity urge’, business jet operators have
feet up,
factored in ICT on board, giving a competitive edge to the high-flying

executive. The market is only opening up now and call rates will find its
Photographs Left to right: Dassault Aviation, Hawker Beechcraft
keel, like the way mobiles did over years.
T
ablets, iPads, By R. Chandrakanth For the modern-day executive,
B l a c k b e r r i e s, time is money. Whether he or she
laptops, mobiles, is on a train, in a car, on a ship, or
etc have changed 30,000 feet plus high, the need to be
not only social mo- ‘connected’ to one’s office, to one’s
res, but also the way community, and to one’s family and
friends has been fulfilled, thanks to
business is done. Whether it is on land, water or information and communication technologies (ICT).
skies, connectivity has become crucial for busi- Understanding the ‘connectivity urge’, business jet opera-
nesses to thrive. The worldwide web, which can tors have factored in ICT on board, giving a competitive edge
be accessed fast and quick from anywhere, has to the high-flying executive. A Ku-band satellite connection
made information crucial in today’s highly com- provides relatively high-speed Internet voice and data trans-
petitive world. fer at 512 kbps per channel and 64 kbps integrated service

digital network (ISDN) on board a

business jet, albeit the service pric-
ing may be ‘sky-high’. The market
is only opening up now and call
rates will find their keel, like the
way mobiles did over years.
There are several business jet
operators in India who have trans-
formed their cabins, understand-
ing the requirements of the globe-
trotting executives. For instance,
Poonawalla Aviation, which has a
Falcon 900 EX and a Cessna Cita-
tion Excel, has invested additional
$3 million (`75 crore) in customis-
ing the Falcon with satellite com-
munication (Satcom), convertible
bed, dining table, DVD player, fax
machine, king-size baggage com-
partments, etc. It can carry 14
passengers who can conduct busi-
ness conference or meetings on
board. Similarly, the company has
High in performance:
invested around $1 million (`5 crore) in its Citation aircraft Hawker 900XP is an
with facilities such as DVD player, Aircell (airborne telephone innovative combination of
with intercom). It has a capacity of eight seats for conducting range and speed
business meetings.
So are many players equipping their aircraft with the
latest in communication and also in a host of other facilities, seamless connections around the globe, in-flight and on the
including cuisine, that go to make flying a ‘pleasurable busi- ground, and without the worry of being disconnected.
ness experience’. Yonder service is “always on” and available while idling,
ARINC which is a world leader in aerospace and de- taxiing or in full flight. Unlike competitive services, there are
fence solutions has passenger communications for business no service limitations on the ground or below 10,000 feet.
aviation. With the fastest broadband connections possible ViaSat’s experience shows that as much as 40 per cent of ser-
and the lowest rates in the industry, ARINC Direct Satcom vice usage for a typical aircraft occurs while on the ground.
are the obvious choice to keep passengers connected—just What’s more, Yonder service is on whenever the aircraft is
like they are at home or in the office. Reading and writing powered up; there’s no special login required to connect.
e-mails, making voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) phone
calls, surfing the Internet, sending and receiving faxes, and Simple Service Plan
video conferencing are just a few of the things made possi- For a fixed monthly fee, business aircraft passengers can
ble by ARINC Direct’s passenger communications solutions. use their laptops, smart phones, tablets, and PDAs to enjoy a
true high-speed Internet experience as often and as much as
Inmarsat Services they want. Service is delivered over multi-purpose Ku-band
Since not every flight department needs the speed of a Ku- satellites, making it more affordable than services based on
band broadband Internet connection, ARINC Direct offers special satellites that support only limited markets. Yonder
a full array of Inmarsat (L-band) services enhanced by fea- service truly enables the business aircraft office-in-the-sky
tures like seamless Ku/L-band switching, automatic fax de- for the first time.
tection, and an online interface to view real-time traffic. ViaSat has developed VMT-1500 communications
Inmarsat services are available for the following connec- shipset specifically for large cabin business aircraft. It is in
tion types: Swift 64; Swift Broadband / BGAN; Aero-H/H+/I daily service today on hundreds of aircraft under STCs de-
Mini-M; and Iridium Services. veloped specifically for the Gulfstream G500/G400/GV/GIV
With the business aviation industry moving towards series, Bombardier Global Express and Challenger series,
Iridium connectivity as the standard in satellite communica- the Cessna Citation X, Boeing BBJ, and others.
tions and the replacement for Magnastar, ARINC Direct cus- The VMT-1500 system is the lightest, smallest-footprint
tomers are benefiting greatly from the cost-effective, highly Ku-band terminal for high-speed Internet access via satel-
reliable service. lite to aircraft. The system is sold exclusively through aircraft
manufacturers and ViaSat-authorised maintenance repair
Yonder Wonder overhaul (MRO) resellers: Bombardier Aerospace-factory op-
With the introduction of ViaSat ‘Yonder’ service, unlimited tion on Global 5000 and Global XRS; Gulfstream Aerospace
high-speed connectivity for business aircraft has become a Corporation-factory option on G450 and G550 aircraft; Dun-
reality. Yonder service delivers cable-like performance plus can Aviation—all US locations; Innotech Aviation— Montreal,

Canada; Jet Aviation—all fa-

cilities worldwide; Lufthansa
Technik- Europe, Asia-Pacific,
USA; and Standard Aero—all
facilities worldwide.
Skylogic Up Ahead
Skylogic, Eutelsat’s broadband
affiliate, has teamed with Vi-
aSat, producer of innovative
satellite and wireless commu-
nications products, to provide
in-flight communications to
business jets flying over Eu-
rope. The new service has al-
ready been selected by ARINC,
a world leader in aviation com-
munications, which announces
that passengers on over 40
business jets flying over Euro-
pean airspace are now benefit-
ing from satellite-based in-flight Most advanced: gulfstream
G550 hosts standard
communications. ARINC pro- features like A fax machine,
vides users with European coverage through Ku-band capac- a printer, a wireless local
ity on Eutelsat’s Atlantic Bird 2. area network and satellite
communication
The service supplied by ViaSat and Skylogic, called D-Star
aero, provides business aviation passengers with office-in-
the-sky communications, including access to e-mail, Internet,
voice over IP (VOIP), fax over IP (FOIP) and corporate in- The growth in the business aircraft sector is driven by
tranets. On-board access to users through laptops is provided Indian corporates who utilise the executive jets to ferry be-
via a Wi-Fi hotspot installed inside the aircraft. Full service tween cities and remote locations faster on a comfortable
can work during taxi, take-off, flight and landing. mode.”As Indian companies increasingly compete on the
The full avionics system weighs less than 20 kilos, includ- global market, with customers around the world, demand
ing a 30 cm circular antenna which is tail-mounted and fits for time-saving tools such as business jets will continue as
on larger business aircraft including Gulfstream GIV, GIV-SP, key executives try to make the most out of their workdays,”
G400, GV, G500, G550, Cessna Citation X, Dassault Falcon states Nilesh Pattanayak of Bombardier Aerospace.
900, and Bombardier Global Express and Challengers. The market for luxury jets is growing not just in the cities
ARINC supplies the service under its SkyLink brand to but also in India’s heartland where some of the projects are
business jet manufacturers and is also working to make this located. In its latest projections for the Indian market, Bom-
high-speed broadband service a standard option on new bardier forecasts 1,330 deliveries of business jets in India
business aircraft. Dassault Falcon has already received more by 2030 by all business jet makers. Bombardier currently
than 90 orders for the Falcon 7X between 2007 and 2010. has over 30 business jets based or registered in India.
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company, said
Tooway, Faster and Economical at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition
The good news is that faster, more economical solutions are (ABACE) that it is seeing high levels of interest from Asia
on the way. Eutelsat Communications recently launched its around the planned game-changing mid-size business jet,
first Ka-band high-throughput satellite, marking the kickoff of the Citation Latitude, scheduled to enter service in 2015.
its “Tooway” broadband product. The company expects this Bill Harris, Cessna’s Vice President, Sales for Asia and
Photographs Left to right: gulfstream, cessna
platform to deliver “cost-effective” high-bandwidth service Asia Pacific, said: “Overall demand for light and mid-size
across Europe and the Mediterranean basin—at speeds of up business jets in Asia is undoubtedly increasing, and we are
to 10 mbps downstream and four mbps upstream. Ka-band— finding customers eager for deliveries ‘now’ rather than
which won’t be available to business aviation before 2014— later. We are seeing particularly high levels of interest from
may not provide such eye-popping data-transfer speeds, but customers who, for example, already own or operate a
it should be a substantial improvement over current offerings. mid-size Cessna Citation such as the Citation XLS+ and are
planning their future purchases. The Citation Latitude rep-
India, a Growing Market for Bizjets resents a logical next step to a new, more advanced Citation
Even as Indian commercial carriers are facing a tough time and like the Citation XLS+, offers a high residual value.”
sustaining operations, aircraft manufacturers feel that the Announced in October 2011, the Citation Latitude will
demand for private jets in the country is set to soar with offer Cessna’s widest-yet passenger cabin with stand-up ac-
economic growth and the burgeoning number of high-net- cess throughout the aircraft’s length of more than 16 feet.
worth individuals. The Citation Latitude combines the payload, speed and range

wards, President, Embraer Ex-

ecutive Jets. “We offer a new
cabin management system,
reduced noise levels and avi-
onics advances that equip the
aircraft for the future air traffic
control system. It also includes
new finishing materials for
cabin, galleys and lavatories.
With this new interior custom-
ers will have a more advanced
and comfortable environment
in which to relax or to main-
tain their productivity.”
The new cabin manage-
ment system (CMS)—Honey-
well’s Ovation Select— is the
same as that offered on Em-
braer’s in-development pro-
grammes, the Legacy 450 and
Legacy 500. The all-digital sys-
tem features high definition
big, bold & beautiful:
cessna citation cj4 boasts monitors and audio. The me-
of the most stylishly dia unit features iPod and iPhone docking systems, a 3-D
decorated, ergonomically moving map and blu-ray player. It also includes USB, HDMI,
designed cabin ever
VGA and composite video ports.
The interior includes an 8.9-inch touchscreen CMS con-
troller in the galley as well as individual, in-seat touch-
customers want with an unmatched cabin experience at its screen units that control video, audio, lighting and tem-
price point ($14.9 million in 2011). Designed for a crew of perature. A 17.5-inch LCD monitor comes standard but
two plus up to eight passengers, the aircraft will have a maxi- customers can choose from a number of monitor options
mum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 metres) and a maximum including up to a 32-inch credenza version, a 24-inch, aft-
cruise speed of 442 knots (819 km/h). The Citation Latitude bulkhead configuration or individual seat monitors. The
will climb to 43,000 feet (13,106 metres) in just 23 minutes. entire system can be complemented by crisp, two-zone
The Citation Latitude features the fully integrated Gar- surround sound. For the US operators, the Legacy 650 can
min G5000 avionics system and Clairity, an intelligent cabin come equipped with XM Radio.
technology solution developed by Cessna in partnership
with Dallas-based heads-up technologies. Clairity ties into Falcon Spreads its Wings
the avionics system and integrates cabin electrical systems Dassault is the Indian market leader for large cabin, long-
with data and communication sharing through a fibre-optic range aircraft and continues to consolidate its position as
backbone. Cabin systems are controlled either through in- the benefits of business aviation become recognised by an
tuitive touch-screen user interfaces at each seat, or custom- increasing number of Indian companies and private own-
ers’ personal electronic devices. ers. Private investment in the country’s aviation infrastruc-
ture and growing support by the Indian authorities are mak-
Embraer keeps abreast of ing this dynamic market even more attractive.
latest communication systems About 20 Falcons are currently operating from airports
Embraer equips its mid-light Legacy 450, mid-size Legacy in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Hyder-
500 and ultra-large cabin Lineage 1000 aircraft with Inter- abad. Several additional aircraft are on order for delivery to
national Communications Group (ICG)’s datalink-capable Indian customers over the next two years. Almost half of the
Iridium Communications Systems (ICS). ICG is the primary new aircraft orders are for Dassault’s flagship, the Falcon
satellite communications provider to Embraer Executive Jet 7X, the first business jet certified with a fully-digital flight
owners on various business jet models to include the Lin- control system.
eage 1000 and Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 series aircraft. “We remain encouraged by the potential for long-term
growth in business aviation in India,” said John Rosanval-
Legacy 650 new cabin management system lon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “Business jets
The Legacy 650 is sporting its new, state-of-the-art im- are now seen in the region as a powerful tool to enable
provements to passenger comfort and productivity as well quick and convenient access to customers within the coun-
as advanced cockpit technology that is now standard on the try and worldwide. The dramatic growth of the economy
large-class executive aircraft. and the experience of travelling on commercial airlines
“The 2012 Legacy 650 interior significantly raises the have all contributed to the expansion of the market over
bar for the large executive aircraft class,” said Ernest Ed- the last few years.” SP

Civil Regional Aviation
The
Only W
OUT
AY
Regional airlines generally
operate best on the low-cost
model and have to struggle
relentlessly to keep the expenses
down. Still, in many parts of the
world, regional services may
not be commercially viable. But
there is simply no alternative
to regional aviation in taking
aviation services to remote and
isolated communities.
By Group Captain (Retd)

Joseph Noronha, Goa
excellent sales:
Embraer’s ERJ 145
Photograph Left to right: embraer, sp guide pubns, bombardier
O
ver the last few decades, regional avia- an air link because the mainstream carriers do not consider
tion has become a vital segment of the airline them commercially viable. Sometimes regional airlines, with
industry in many parts of the world. Take the their smaller aircraft, are the only ones that can provide
example of United States, the trailblazer of re- air services to places with short runways, because regular
gional operations. According to the US Regional narrow-body jets cannot operate from there.
Airline Association, more than 13,000 regional
flights operate every day constituting 52 per cent of the na- How It All Began
tion’s commercial schedule. About 40 per cent of the US In the early days of commercial aviation, airline fleets con-
passenger fleet is made up of regional jets and turboprops sisted mainly of short range propeller-driven aircraft. Many
totalling over 2,700 aircraft. Most notably, regional carriers small airlines were set up to link their home base with the
serve 631 communities across the country and in 75 per closest cities and towns, often not more than a couple of
cent of such cases; they provide the only scheduled service. hundred kilometres away. In a sense, most airlines were re-
Although regional aviation takes various forms, that’s gionals. However, in the late 1930s, when long-range aircraft
the crux of the concept. Across the globe, if not for regional with increased capacity began to be produced in large num-
airlines, scores of towns and small cities would be bereft of bers, airlines like the British Overseas Airways Corporation

major players:
Turboprops like the ATR 72-500
and Trans-Canada Airlines were formed and Bombardier Q400 NextGen are regionals operating under their own
to exploit their potential. Many older air- popular in the domestic market brand providing independent services
lines like KLM (founded 1919) and Pan to off-the-beaten-track communities,
Am (founded 1927) also switched to big- for whom the airline was the only vi-
ger planes. They did not wish to expend able link to a larger town. Delta Airlines
their energies on small cities, preferring claims credit for pioneering the now
instead to operate on the major long-distance routes. A natu- ubiquitous hub-and-spoke system in the US, starting with
ral market thus developed for the pygmy airlines—they could its hub at Atlanta, Georgia.
use their small, slow, older planes (eventually called regional To keep their enterprise economical, regional airlines were
aircraft) to collect passengers from communities without suf- often reluctant to spend large sums on new planes. Instead
ficient demand to attract mainline service. They would ferry they opted for cheap war-surplus aircraft like the Douglas
them to the nearest major airport, from where the giant car- DC-3. Another favourite source was the rejects or hand-me-
riers could take them onwards to their desired destination. downs from the major carriers. This practice of using older
In this respect, they functioned as feeder airlines. But it was planes continued with designs like the Convair 440, Douglas
a dog-eat-dog world and many of these small regional air- DC-6 and Vickers Viscount. But from the 1960s, regionals be-
lines were soon acquired by the larger flag carriers to func- gan operating aircraft specially tailored to their needs, like the
tion as captive sources of generating passengers. Fokker F27 Friendship and BAC One-Eleven. This extended
Some commuter airlines also developed. These were the range of regional aircraft dramatically, resulting in some
A Sampling of Regional Aircraft

Manufacturer Name Powerplant Service Entry Passengers Cruise Approx. Number
Type speed (km/h) Delivered
Douglas Aircraft Co. DC-3 Piston-Prop 1936 21-32 333 607
ATR ATR 42 Turboprop 1985 42-50 556 413
ATR ATR 72 Turboprop 1989 68-74 511 508
Embraer ERJ 145 Turbojet 1996 50 851 890
Bombardier Q400 Turboprop 2000 68-80 532-646 389
Aerospace
Bombardier CRJ700 Turbojet 2001 66-78 829 331
Aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace
Source: Wikipedia and Respective OEM’s website

not-so-friendly competition with the major airlines and ulti- the Essential Air Service subsidy was introduced in 1978 to
mately triggering another wave of consolidation. help rural airports in danger of being divested of air services
as the aviation industry switched to a market-based system.
Deregulation and After The programme currently serves over 150 communities.
Although the US likes to project itself as a champion of the
free market, for much of the 20th century its airline industry Hub-and-Spoke or Point-to-Point
was heavily regulated by the government through the Civil The hub-and-spoke model is a key feature of regional avia-
Aeronautics Board. Then in 1978 the Airline Deregulation tion. A hub is a major airport that functions as a transfer
Act removed most controls and ushered in a new era of air point to convey passengers to their destinations. A hub-and-
travel. Many airlines, now free to choose their routes, aban- spoke system is formed by a number of flight connections
doned the less profitable ones serving smaller communities. arranged like a chariot wheel, with flights moving along
This encouraged numerous start-up airlines to enter the spokes connecting to the hub at the centre. Travellers natu-
market, some prudently entering cooperative agreements rally prefer to catch a direct flight from home base to end-
with the large airlines to form hub-and-spoke networks. point. This is the familiar point-to-point mode of travel that
The trend came to a head around 1985, when the current is invariably chosen if both cities are connected. However,
business model emerged with a slew of regionals entering if a particular city pair is not served, passengers have no
code-sharing agreements with major airline partners. The alternative but to travel to an airport that offers a flight to
big airlines assumed most of the risk while providing nearly their destination, or nearest to it. Airlines prefer the hub-
double-digit margins to regional air- and-spoke system because it generally
lines. Both benefitted by increased leads to more efficient use of scarce
growth. Some regionals, however, pre- transportation resources. But it is
ferred to operate as independent point-
to-point carriers in order to avoid hav-
Across the more time consuming and expensive
for travellers since they need two or
ing to kowtow to the demands of the globe, if not for more flights to reach their destination.
major airlines. regional airlines, The last significant regional growth
spurt happened when new-model re-
The India Story scores of towns gional jets arrived on the scene in the
In comparison, India’s regional aviation
story is humdrum. The state-owned
and small cities early 1990s. These short- to medium-
haul turbofan aircraft made regional
carrier, Indian Airlines, made sporadic would be bereft travel much more comfortable than
efforts to take aviation to out-of-the-
way destinations but without much suc-
of an air link in the days of the Spartan DC-3s. The
Bombardier CRJ series is the most fa-
cess. In 1981, Vayudoot was established because the mous example of the type and its main
as a regional airline. It was planned to
operate mainly in the North-eastern re- mainstream competitor, the Embraer ERJ 145, has
also seen excellent sales. Regional jets
gion that was practically without trans- carriers do not are getting larger and faster and their
portation services. Vayudoot had a hub range is increasing. They are also be-
at Calcutta and operated to almost 30 consider them coming more comfortable. The trend
airports in this challenging region. Al-
though it flew to over 100 destinations
commercially may reach its peak with the 110-130
seat Bombardier CSeries due to enter
across the country at its peak, it never viable service late next year. A stretched ver-
established itself on a strong commer- sion CSeries, if developed, may be al-
cial footing. Its financial performance most as large as the narrow-body air-
steadily deteriorated and the airline liners operated by the major airlines.
was dissolved in 1993. Fuel-efficient turboprops are also
The only other regional carrier the in great demand for regional opera-
country has seen was MDLR Airlines, tions with aircraft like the Bombardier
based in Gurgaon. It launched operations in March 2007, dur- Q400, ATR 42/72 and Embraer Brasilia particularly popular
ing a major growth period for Indian aviation. Then it was hit with regionals.
by steeply rising oil prices and suspended operations in No- However, the last five years have somewhat dampened
vember 2009. Consequently, not a single regional airline is in the regional aviation party in some parts of the world. In
operation today. However, the regional space is partly filled by the US, the financial downturn and soaring fuel prices have
the major airlines operating feeder services with turboprops forced mainline operators to rein in their own costs and in
like the Bombardier Q400 NextGen and the ATR 72-500. turn impose much tighter contracts on the regionals, practi-
Regional airlines generally operate best on the low-cost cally driving them to the brink. Even big regionals are in
model and have to struggle relentlessly to keep the expenses trouble, Pinnacle Airlines being only the latest in a long line.
down. Still, in many parts of the world, regional services The financial viability of the American regional airline model
may not be commercially viable. They are subsidised or giv- is itself being questioned all over again. But whatever the
en tax breaks as encouragement to offer aviation services outcome of the current turmoil, there is simply no alterna-
to small, isolated and far-flung communities that no major tive to regional aviation extending services to remote and
airline wants to touch throughout the year. Even in the US, isolated communities. SP

Civil Industry
Newest &
…in Filming and Broadcasting Latest
B
rain Farm Digital Cinema, Snaproll Media and extreme situations beyond manned limits,” says Hans Georg
Schiebel have announced that the Camcopter S-100 Schiebel, Chairman, Schiebel Group.
has completed its first flight with the Cineflex cam- The S-100 navigates via pre-programmed GPS way-
era as the first unmanned air system (UAS) ever. points or is operated with a pilot control unit. Missions are
The days of shooting were successfully carried out in planned and controlled via a simple point-and-click graphi-
Austria, bringing new levels of innovation to the film and cal user interface. Under the special direction of Brain Farm
broadcasting industry professionals around the world. Digital Cinema and Snaproll Media, a number of shoots
The introduction of the new aerial cinematography solu- were taken of motor cross bikes and a rally car, despite the
tion will take place at this year’s NAB Show to be held from environmental conditions with high wind speeds up to 24
April 14 to 19, in Las Vegas. knots. The Camcopter S-100 UAS was able to capture fully
The shoots were performed with Schiebel’s Camcopter stabilised clear high quality images with ease.
S-100 UAS with an integrated Cineflex which is the ultimate “Flying the Cineflex on the proven Schiebel Camcop-
gyro-stabilised solution for aerial cinematography. The ter S-100, was an exciting accomplishment and is a great
Cineflex is a multi-axis coordinated gimbal control system start to proving and developing the S-100 to be the most
that provides layered isolation, steering, and fine correction- advanced UAV aerial cinema system in the industry,” says
al movements to stabilise a wide selection of precision optics Preston Ryon of Snaproll Media.
to a sub-pixel level. “It was a dream of mine to find a way to fly the Cineflex
Photographs: schiebel
“The Camcopter S-100 UAS can carry a variety of cam- remotely. I never thought it was possible. Now with the use
eras suitable and capable of providing high definition ac- of the Camcopter S-100 UAS, my dreams have become a re-
curacy, important for today’s film and television directors. ality and I am very excited about what the future holds with
Its ability to hover and precisely manoeuvre for extended these advancements,” said Curt Morgan, founder and CEO
periods of time, offering a truly stable platform, provides of Brain Farm Digital Cinema. To know more, visit Booth
another dimension of artistic freedom from a basic set to C9545 at NAB Show, Las Vegas. SP

Civil Industry
Bell Opens New Office
John L. Garrison, President & CEO, Bell Helicopter (cutting the

ribbon) with Wg Cdr B.S. Singh Deo, Managing Director, Bell
Helicopter India Operations (Right) and Rishi Malhotra General John L. Garrison, President & CEO, Bell Helicopter lighting
Manager-India Bell Helicopter India Operations (Left) the lamp while Rishi Malhotra looks on
All Smiles: Wg Cdr B.S. Singh Deo, John L. Garrison and Rishi Malhotra John L. Garrison unveiling the new India office
‘We foresee a dramatic growth in the next 20 years. India presents

many opportunities; it is one of the world’s fastest growing economies
with a large and diverse geographical area.’
B
ell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, presents many opportunities; it is one of the world’s fastest
opened a new office in New Delhi on April 12. John growing economies with a large and diverse geographical
L. Garrison, Bell Helicopter’s President and CEO, area. Helicopters are required for various missions from oil-
inaugurated the new office at Hotel Grand’s Com- field operations to medical evacuations; assisting in business
mercial Block. growth and moving people from one city to the other.”
“Bell Helicopter is investing in India. We believe that It may be noted that Bell Helicopter has been operating
there is tremendous growth opportunity in terms of sales in India for nearly 20 years now and there are currently
and manufacturing. This is an important day for Bell Heli- around 107 Bell aircraft operating throughout India. “We
copter as we celebrate our continued commitment and part- are rated best in customer service and have a strong history
nership with our customers in India,” said John L. Garrison, supporting our customers in their missions. Bell Helicopter
President and CEO, Bell Helicopter. has two Customer Service Facilities in the region. Bell He-
Photographs: H.C. Tiwari
While Garrison admitted that Eurocopter is a leader in licopter also has full-time customer service representation.
the global market, he gleefully added that Bell is a leading Bell Helicopter team boasts of about 80 engineers,” said
supplier in India. “India and China are the fastest growing Garrison, answering to SP’s questions on Bell’s outlook on
markets in the global marketplace, and have a massive popu- the Asia-Pacific region and customer service and support. SP
lation. Both the markets are underserved by the helicopters.
We foresee a dramatic growth in the next 20 years. India —SP’s Correspondent with inputs from Neetu Dhulia

The C-17 Globemaster III is the world’s most capable airlifter, able to
perform the full range of both tactical and strategic airlift requirements.
Whether it’s transporting out-sized cargo and personnel or delivering
humanitarian relief into virtually any environment, the C-17 provides one-
of-a-kind mission flexibility. A world of capability and value, ready now.
C - 1 7 . T O D AY, M O R E T H A N E V E R .
Conference Report DPP
Streamline
DPP
power-packed
deliberations:
Manish Tewari, MP and
Member, Parliamentary
Standing Committee
on Defence delivering
his speech at the
conference (above);
Naveen Jindal, Member
of Parliament,
Industrialist & Member,
Consultative Committee,
MoD addressing the
audience (right)
A day-long conference on the Defence Procurement Procedure

organised by SP Guide Publications in collaboration with ORF in
New Delhi on May 2 emphasised on the need to streamline our
defence procurement system to get the best equipment for
our soldiers and reap maximum benefit in the future
S
ince its introduction By Sucheta Das cians, etc pondering and talking about
in 2002 and followed by sev- “Streamlining the Defence Procurement
eral amendments till date,
Mohapatra System”. The conference began with Lt
the Defence Procurement General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma, Distin-
Procedure (DPP) of India has guished Fellow, ORF, emphasising on
been a subject of delibera- the need for transparency in the de-
tion amongst defence experts, origi- fence procurement system.
nal equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Giving his welcome remarks, Sun-
public and private sector enterprises, etc. And despite be- joy Joshi, Director, ORF, questioned, “Should DPP remain
ing a progressive version, DPP 2011, has been a subject of aloof from strategic parameters?” “Our domestic policies
much debate, with demands for streamlining the procure- today will define the country’s military environment in
Photographs: H.C. Tiwari
ment procedure coming from all quarters. Keeping this in the future.”
view, SP Guide Publications in collaboration with the Ob- Former Secretary, Defence Production and Chairman
server Research Foundation (ORF) organised a workshop Task Force on Defence Modernisation and Self-Reliance,
on DPP at Hotel Oberoi in New Delhi, on May 2. Ravindra Gupta gave out details of the mandate of the Task
The day-long conference witnessed industrialists, diplo- Force set up by the National Security Council to focus on
mats, bureaucrats, policy makers, defence personnel, politi- issues pertaining to defence modernisation as well as self-

Conference Report dpp
(top: L-R) A.K. Chopra, Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Ministry of Defence; Dr Vivek Lal President and CEO, Reliance New Ventures; Jayant
Patil, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of Heavy Engineering, L&T;
(above: L-R) Amit Cowshish, Financial Advisor (Acquisition) and Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Finance, Ministry of Defence;
Ravindra Pal Singh, Defence Analyst and former Project Leader on Arms Procurement, SIPRI; Major General (Retd) Mrinal Suman, former
Technical Manager (Land Systems) and Consultant, CII
reliance. He said the focus is on modernisation and self-

Conference Highlights reliance, and how to leverage from both the public and pri-
vate sector. He, however, held that there is diffidence at all
• A.K. Chopra, Financial Advisor (Defence levels of government to move smoothly and the self-reliance
Services) indicated on the internal problems index has only moved slightly. “We have indulged in pur-
which needs to be sorted out within the chase and not acquisition. The acquiring capability has not
been acquired,” he said and added that unfortunately the
system political will for defence technology is lacking and the Offset
• Jayant Patil, Executive Vice President and clause has so far not been exploited well.
Member of the Board of Heavy Engineering, A.K. Chopra, Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Min-
L&T articulated the grave concerns of private istry of Defence, admitted that there are conflicting interests
sector and illustrated some of the key issues and a balance has to be struck. He said that deficiencies
exist both in the services and the bureaucracy. He spoke
• No government policies in place in the about the roadblocks and the need for substantial delega-
context of Offsets - Major General (Retd) tion of power. Chopra emphasised on the need for collegial
Mrinal Suman strongly argued decision-making but added that there are still issues where
agencies have to act on their own.
• Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament &
Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee Session I
on Defence indicated on government’s The first session of the conference was on “Evaluating De-
awareness. However synergies need to be fence Procurement Procedure”, which was chaired by Vinod
worked upon, he said Dhall, Former Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and
Former Chairman, Competition Commission. He said that
• Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament, though the procurement system has evolved over the years,
Industrialist & Member, Consultative no statistical record of procurement is available. He empha-
Committee, MoD said our forces must receive sised on the need for a dedicated department within the Min-
the latest and the greatest equipment istry and a public procurement portal. He spoke on the silent
reforms taking place in the public procurement domain and

the Public Procurement Bill which has been approved by the

Cabinet and would soon be introduced in the Parliament. Manish Tewari SPeaks...
Speaking on “Broader Context of Arms Procurement
Reforms”, Ravindra Pal Singh, Defence Analyst and former This particular workshop is hap-
Project Leader on Arms Procurement, SIPRI, said that there pening at a very opportune mo-
ment of time when across the
is no consistency in the national security policy-making in country for reasons other than
India. He said the procurement process is not moving fast the national debate, there has
enough in India as compared to other democracies. been a significant amount of fo-
Jayant Patil, Executive Vice President and Member of the cus on the question of defence
Board of Heavy Engineering, Larsen & Toubro, expressed preparedness and other allied/
dissatisfaction at no commensurate increase in offset stipu- related issues. It is also coming
right after the standing commit-
lation. “Taxation of offset is a big issue,” he said and added
tee had the opportunity to scru-
that the cost differentiation in a product manufactured in tinise the demands for grants of
India and elsewhere globally is 35 per cent. Patil said that the Ministry of Defence and re-
at 26 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI), no genuine port back to the Parliament.
technology would come to India. What I have been given to understand is that since this
Addressing the same session, Dr Vivek Lal President and morning there have been deliberations and an attempt to see
CEO, Reliance New Ventures, gave out the “Private sector per- how as to how we can fix the whole procurement system.
That fundamentally assumes that the procurement system
spective on DPP” and said that DPP involves both aspects—pro- as it stands today is perhaps broken. I do not subscribe to
curement and industrialisation. “Offset is a catalyst across the that point of view and the reason why I say is because in the
globe and the really successful ones have been discontinued standing committee defence we heard perspectives from the
after it met its objectives. There is a cost to offsets and hence it services, perspectives from the government and perspective of
is important to be clear as to what we want to achieve.” outside experts also, which led us to conclude and that part of
Amit Cowshish, Financial Advisor (Acquisition) and Addi- it gets reflected in the report also, that there are institutional
issues which possibly require a paradigm shift in the manner
tional Secretary, Department of Defence Finance, Ministry of
that we look at the question of equipping ourselves towards
Defence, spoke on “DPP: Addressing Key Areas and Looking preparedness.
Ahead”. He emphasised on the need to create a permanent 26 per cent FDI has also not brought in the players from
professional body to choose vendors. On the “Buy and make” the international spectrum primarily because of copyright and
category in the DPP, he questioned why guidelines should be other issues which essentially as I have heard is their perspec-
laid for the private sector and why cannot it to be left to the tive which is holding them back.
OEM. Cowshish informed that the DPP is now being reviewed It’s my personal view that the entire sector possibly needs to
be classified into possibly a couple of lists, those areas that are
by the government in light of the issues raised by the industry non critical, possibly we can invite 100 per cent foreign invest-
players and indicated that the new DPP would look at broad- ment should be allowed; in other areas which are possibly not in
ening the scope of offsets and bringing ToT under its ambit. the non-critical areas where we can look at 49-50 per cent and
those areas that are extremely crucial to our national security
Session II where we do not want that there should not be any outside par-
The post-lunch session began with a special address by ticipation, we shall keep it absolutely closed and say that these
are areas that are exclusively reserved for not even the Indian
Manish Tewari, Member, Parliamentary Standing Commit-
private sector but for the entire public sector towards defence
tee on Defence who spoke vividly on different aspects of preparedness.
defence procurement. Tewari’s words demonstrated gov- There is a feeling that it would require a considerable
ernment’s interest in bringing constructive changes in the amount of political conviction to be able to usher in the sort of
defence procurement process. reforms in this sector. •
The second session was on “Defence Procurement—Core
Concerns” which was chaired by Vinod K. Mishra, Former
Secretary, Department of Defence Finance and Distin-
guished Fellow, IDSA. Mishra expressed dissatisfaction at On being questioned by Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-
the lengthy evaluation timeframes in India. Chief, SP Guide Publications, about the concerns of OEMs on
Major General Mrinal Suman, former Technical Manager technology transfer at low cost, Suman said that it is indeed
(Land Systems) and Consultant, Confederation of Indian In- a concern for the OEMs. “In India, we have not permitted
dustry (CII), spoke on “Defence Offset”. He said that the policy trade in offset. While the Defence Offset Facilitation Agency
has no spelt out objective or aim and that is its ‘weakness’. On (DOFA) is understaffed, the Acquisition Wing is overloaded
the future trends of offset, he said that offset is here to stay. with work. The country must have a single window to listen
“It is an addiction and difficult to wean away. The reforms are and thereafter make changes.”
likely to continue. No national offset policy is in the offing.” The session ended with the assertion that offset has a
“The level of FDI has nothing to do with the level of cost element to it and that gaps in capability outlays have
transfer of technology (ToT),” emphasised G. Balachandran, become far more significant.
Visiting Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, The second session was followed by a valedictory ad-
while speaking on “Translating ToT Into Real Dividends”. dress by Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Member,
“Research and development (R&D) is an essential element Consultative Committee, MoD. He said that it is necessary to
in technology transfer. Indian R&D is very narrow and un- equip our forces with the latest and the greatest equipment.
less the R&D increases, ToT has no value,” he held. He said that the use of equipment is also important other

(top: L-R) NAVIN JINDAL with SP’s Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal; Vice AdmIRAL Satish Soni, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice AdmIRAL S.P.S. Cheema,
Dy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (DOT) with Jayant Baranwal; Manish TEwari with Jayant Baranwal. (middle: L-R) Lt General (Retd) P.C.
Katoch, Jayant Baranwal and Subimal Bhattacharjee, Country Head, General Dynamics; Roger Rose, Chief Executive - Lockheed Martin
India, with Jayant Baranwal; Sunil Bhatia, WASS Finmeccanica, Col Anil Joshi, Manager - Land Systems Finmeccanica and Jayant Baranwal.
(above: L-R) M.K. Mishra, HAL Deputy General Manager and Wg Cdr B.S. Singh Deo, Managing Director, Bell Helicopter India; Mats Wigselius, Col
(Navy) Defence Attache, Swedish Armed Forces and Dean McCumiskey, MD & CEO - BAE Systems India; Rishi Malhotra, General Manager-India, Bell
Helicopter and Todd Hattaway, Regional Sales Director, Hawker Beechcraft
than acquisition. “Are we training our people on how to use domestic suppliers. “Our men in uniform working 24x7, re-
the equipment?” he questioned and added that rather than ceive the best solutions to be equipped with and are thereby
wasting time, why not give our soldiers the latest equip- capable to handle any kind of challenges coming from any
ment. “If we can make it indigenously its fine, or else we quarters; offsets and alike elements of DPP should work an
should acquire it. We should take the delays out and get the enabler and not a disabler.” He reiterated that decisions
best equipment for our soldiers.” Jindal admired SP Guide need to be taken on time and added that “we need not al-
Publications for organising the workshop and expressed his ways have to reinvent the wheel, which may take longer
liking for the informative magazines published by SP’s. than acquiring it. We must optimise our key resources”. SP
The day ended with vote of thanks by Jayant Baranwal,
Editor-in -Chief, SP Guide Publications. He said that it is nec-
essary that our defence procurement system be streamlined
More including videos on
so that our armed forces do not remain in a state of flux; http://events.spguidepublications.com
dealings remain transparent and clearer for overseas and

Military Helicopters
Twin
Eurocopter Kamov Ka-226 HAL LUH
AS550C3 Fennec
Tracking
While both parties are rooting for their respective products, ultimately
L1 could emerge as the decisive factor for the final selection. The good
news is that many-faceted parameters such as reliability, availability,
maintainability and life-cycle costs are included while determining the L1.
D
uring the ongoing after four years of technical evaluations
Budget session of the
By Air Marshal (Retd) and field trials, for reasons well known
Indian Parliament, Min- V.K. Bhatia by now and therefore not worth repeat-
ister of Defence A.K. Ant- ing, the entire process was scuttled.
ony in a written reply in The procurement process began
the Rajya Sabha on May again with the issuance of a new RFP in
2, reiterated, “There was a need to replace the present fleet July 2008. This time around, the nomenclature was changed
of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters in service with the Indian from LUH to reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter (RSH)
Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). Proposals for procure- programme. However, the service qualitative requirements
ment of 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (SQRs) essentially remained the same with most of the original
(RSH) on ‘Buy Global’ basis and 187 light utility helicopters vendors coming back into the competition with similar ma-
(LUH) under design and development project by the Hindu- chines offered in the earlier programme. This programme is a
Photographs left to right: eurocopter, Kamov, anoop kamath
stan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Army and Air Force are part of the greater endeavour of the MoD to equip the armed
being progressed. The Finance Department has not raised ob- forces with 384 light utility helicopters, 197 of which will be
jections regarding the trial process for selection. The proposal outsourced to foreign vendors and the remaining 187 to be
for procurement of RSH is progressing as per the provisions of built indigenously by the HAL. MoD appears to have followed
the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). He further stated the dual path of acquiring these helicopters in a foreign/indig-
that the indigenous LUH is at design and development phase. enous mix, to balance both the time urgency factor as well as
There is little argument on the need for replacing the age- to give in to the HAL’s self-acclaimed capability of delivering a
ing Chetaks and Cheetahs. These old designs have consistently world class machine in this category. However, while accepting
proven themselves for the past five decades in differing op- HAL’s claims, the MoD has specified a target date for each of
erating conditions including the exacting high-altitude opera- the LUH’s milestones: building a mock-up; the design freeze;
tions. But the problem is that at their age, the safety margins the first flight; initial operational clearance, and so on. The
have become pretty slim. The urgency for replacement of these MoD has also stipulated that every time HAL misses a mile-
excellent but increasingly outdated technologies was felt a de- stone; its order reduces from 187.
cade ago with the first issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) Creditably, so far the HAL has stayed comfortably ahead
in 2003 for the acquisition of 197 light utility helicopters from a of the MoD timelines with a plan to beat the 2017 deadline
foreign vendor through a commercial competitive process. But for in-service induction by a full two years. It is now to be

Military Helicopters
again cancellation in 2010 thankfully subsided and the labori-

A Comparative Table Eurocopter ous acquisition process was allowed to continue. Two years
AS550C3/Kamov Ka-226T/HAL LUH (LOH) later, the latest buzz indicates that AgustaWestland has lost
Foreign Indigenous out in the competition as they appeared to have brought a
Specification Eurocopter Kamov HAL Light civilian version instead of a military version for the trials. Two
AS550C3 Fennec Ka-226T Utility helicopters: Eurocopter’s AS550C3 Fennec and Kamov’s Ka-
Helicopter 226T have been shortlisted, having met the revised technical
Crew 2 1 2 and operational specifications. Reports suggest that the pro-
Capacity 4 passengers 6 6 cess has reached the stage to be examined by the Technical
Length 10.93 m (35 ft 8.1 m NA Oversight Committee (TOC) whose job is to basically confirm
10 in) (fuselage (25 ft 7 in) that all previous procedures have been meticulously followed.
length), 12.94 It follows therefore, that the process should soon reach the
m (42 ft 6 in)
(overall length, stage for ‘opening the financial bids’.
rotors turning) Little wonder that both the European and Russian vendors
Cargo - 1,400 kg NA have stepped up efforts to lobby for their respective machines.
internally, or It is common knowledge that even reconnaissance and surveil-
1,500 kg on lance helicopters need to be capable of fulfilling various roles—
an external
sling personnel transport, escort and armed missions, casualty
Height 3.34 m 4.15 m NA
evacuation and observation. The three key expectations from
(10 ft 11 in) (13 ft 7 in) a successful helicopter in this segment therefore are; manoeu-
Empty 1,220 kg NA 1,870 kg vrability, versatility and, agility. Both parties are currently en-
Weight gaged in extolling the advantages of their respective platforms.
Max takeoff 2,250 kg 3,400 kg 3,015 kg According to Rosoboronexport, the Ka-226T’s design is
weight a refinement of the proven Ka-26, featuring interchangeable
Fuel capacity 540 L - - mission pods. The aircraft is fitted with a new rotor system,
(143 US Gal) increased visibility nose, and new passenger cabin design.
Powerplant 1 × Turbomeca 2× 1 × HAL/ The Ka-226 also features a new transmission system and is
Arriel 2B Turbomeca Turbomeca
turboshaft, 632 Arrius 2G1, Shakti made largely from composite materials. The aircraft is fitted
kW (847 shp) 335 kW turboshaft, with trademark Kamov coaxial rotors of advanced composite
(limited to 500 (450 hp) 1,000 kW design, making the Ka-226 highly manoeuvrable and elimi-
kW (671 shp for each (1,400 shp) nating the need for a tail rotor. A significant competitive ad-
take-off)
vantage of the Russian bid is that it is being offered together
Main rotor 10.69 m 2× 13 m -
diameter (35 ft 1 in) (42 ft 8 in)
with a luring offset (yet to be disclosed) programme.
On the other hand, Eurocopter propagates ‘Fennec’ to
Main rotor 89.75 m2 - -
area (966.1 sq ft) be its most advanced and proven light military helicopter
Maximum 246 km/h 205 km/h - which among myriad roles also include the armed version
speed (153 mph; 133 (127 mph) with complete weapon systems. It can be fitted for anti-tank,
kn) (max cruise) air-to-air combat and ground support, apart from it being
Cruising - 195 km/h 240 km/h used as an observation/utility helicopter. The Fennec incor-
speed (121 mph) (140 knots, porates state-of-the-art reinforced high-strength glass fibre
161 mph)
and aramid airframe. The Starflex main rotor head and
Never exceed 287 km/h - 330 km/h
speed (178 mph; 155 kn) (178 knots, blades are also of composite materials for added strength
207 mph) and weight reduction. According to Eurocopter, “Fennec has
Range 648 km 600 km 350 km demonstrated excellent results and is fully compliant with
(403 mi; 350 nmi) (372 miles) (218 mi) the expectations of the Indian armed forces.”
Service 5,280 m 6,200 m 6,500 m While both parties are rooting for their respective prod-
ceiling (17,323 ft) (20300 ft) (21,300 ft) ucts, ultimately L1 could emerge as the decisive factor for
Hover ceiling - 2,500 m - the final selection. The good news is that many-faceted pa-
(8200 ft) rameters such as reliability, availability, maintainability and
Rate of climb 10.30 m/s - m/s (ft/min) life-cycle costs are included while determining the L1. These
(2,028 ft/min)
factors could easily tilt the scales one way or the other for the
competing platforms.
On a highly optimistic note, if HAL does live up to its stated
seen whether it can achieve the self-imposed deadlines of timelines for production of the indigenous LUH, it could easily
first flight in the current year; certification by 2014, and be- be at par with or even beat the winner of the ‘foreign vendor’
gin delivery by 2015. The big question is: can the HAL—by 197 units-RSH programme which is yet to cross a few more
now blatantly notorious for not meeting the stipulated time- milestones in the ‘Defence Procurement Procedure’ chain be-
lines—actually turn the tables for the LUH (also known as fore the contract gets concluded. In the final analysis, however,
light observation helicopter (LOH)) programme? it is hoped that both programmes are allowed to run concur-
And what is happening on the foreign acquisition front rently to facilitate the armed forces to get their much-awaited
with a four-year-old RFP? The earlier dread of a possible yet replacements for the ageing Chetak/Cheetah fleets. SP

Military UCAV
revolutionary: BAE SYSTEMS

TARANIS; (left) NORTHTROP
GRUMMAN’s x-47B UCAV
Gaining Momentum
While Pakistan is reported to be seeking the Chinese armed UAV, the
Indian armed forces are also looking at retrofitting air-to-surface
missiles on their Israeli-supplied Heron UAV and on the indigenous
Rustom UAV under development by DRDO.
The US National Defense Authorisation Act for the FY 2001 had stated, “It shall be a goal of
the armed forces to achieve the fielding of unmanned, remotely controlled technology, such
that by 2010, one-third of the aircraft in the operational deep-strike force are unmanned.”
S
uch directions are By Air Marshal (Retd) the limitations of communications
Photographs Left to right: Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Nasa, Drdo
a far cry from the Project B.N. Gokhale, Pune link loss as well as losses due to auto-
‘Have Lemon’ initiated in mation failures had resulted in many
1971 to develop unmanned designs remaining dormant. With the
attack systems armed with need to carry out aggressive but air
Maverick missiles, which patrols for enforcing ‘no-fly zones’ in
was abandoned in 1979, somewhat Iraq and later in the Balkans, the de-
signifying the meaning of word velopment of UCAVs was accelerated.
‘lemon’ in slang, for ‘worthless’. However, it was an irony There is an evolutionary difference between the UAV and
of sorts that this same project was once again revived by the UCAV. While UAVs have been configured for many pas-
Northrop Grumman in 2003, in which unmanned combat sive roles and battle support functions, the UCAVs are fitted
air vehicle (UCAV) named ‘Fire-bee’ was displayed carrying with dispensable munitions thereby assigning armed com-
two Hellfire anti-armour missiles as well as a pod for dis- bat functions. ‘Dispensable munitions’ is an important term
pensing remote battlefield sensors. in defining the UCAV, as it is the reusability of the UCAV,
From the earliest use of unmanned balloons loaded with which distinguishes it from a classic cruise missile assigned
explosives by the Austrians in 1849 to attack the Italian city to a target on a one-way mission. Hence, armed UAVs have
of Venice, the UCAV did not get the desired attention till the become the initial versions of UCAV such as the US Predator
US air operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. Although many and Reaper carrying Hellfire missiles, Israeli Elbit Hermes
projects had been undertaken in the US since the Vietnam 450 UAV with Hellfire as well as Spike missiles and the Chi-
War to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and UCAV, nese Chang Hong-3 with AR-1 Missiles, etc to name a few.

Military UCAV
While Pakistan is reported to be seeking the Chinese armed battlefield. The US in particular is fast progressing develop-
UAV, the Indian armed forces are also looking at retrofitting ment of various models of UCAVs with stealth features hav-
air-to-surface missiles on their Israeli-supplied Heron UAV ing longer ranges and payloads. The US Navy has also shown
and on the indigenous Rustom UAV under development by interest in Northrop Grumman UCAV X-47B and the J-UCAS
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). programme. But what is of considerable interest is the sub-
However, there would be a quantum jump in the UCAV marine launched Lockheed Martin UCAV design capable of
operations when newer dedicated models are fielded in the carrying a weapon load of 450 kilograms with a range of
near future. In 1996, the United States Air Force (USAF) Sci- about 1,100 kilometres.
entific Advisory Board (SAB) determined that there were 10 Meanwhile, a number of other countries have also initi-
important missions for UCAV. These were: ated UCAV programmes but somewhat slower than the US.
• Deep coverage survivable ISR Taranis is a British programme, which is a UCAV demon-
• Armed reconnaissance strator with fully integrated autonomous systems and low
• Air surveillance observable features. It will have the capability to ‘think for
• Positive target identification and bomb damage as- itself’. The British have also displayed a concept UCAV des-
sessment ignated as ‘Proteus’. The French seem somewhat lagging
• ISR of hazardous environment behind in the UCAV programme but are developing armed
• Survivable deep strike UAV Sagem Sperwer B. The Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI)
• Airborne electronic attack has recently rolled out the ‘Eitan’, a huge UCAV with anti-
• Persistent strike combat air patrol (heavy) ballistic and assault capabilities. In recent years, China has
• Destruction/suppression of enemy air defences been actively scouting, purchasing and developing technolo-
• Airborne communications node gies to support its indigenous UAV and UCAV programmes.
As one can notice, most of the missions mentioned above India too has launched an indigenous UCAV programme
are what any classic air force carries out with manned com- known as AURA, which stands for the autonomous unmanned
bat aircraft. But the political compulsions of reducing battle research aircraft. Although still at its conceptual stage, the pro-
causalities or ‘body bags’ and considerable lower costs for de- posed Indian unmanned strike aircraft (IUSA) or Indian un-
veloping unmanned systems as against the manned aircraft manned strike aircraft programme (IUSAP) is based on proven
is shifting the balance in favour of UCAVs. For UCAV, there technology of the light combat aircraft (LCA). It is hoped that
are neither any environmental compulsions such as onboard the lessons from other indigenous progremmes like Nishant
oxygen nor the need for ejection seats and associated combat and Rustam would help in making the UCAV a reality.
search and rescue operations. Hence during the first Gulf War, Despite all the progress in robotics, artificial intelli-
Lockheed Martin had proposed fielding modified unmanned gence (AI) and the resultant automation, the UCAV is best
F-16B aircraft to be flown remotely for armed patrol duties. when fielded in complementary roles with manned combat
Later in 1999, Boeing Phantom Works was awarded a aircraft. This is because of the lack of inherent flexibility
contract to develop two ‘X-45A’ UCAV technology demon- availed by a manned aircraft due to onboard split second
strators ahead of Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. Boe- decision-making capability of a pilot.
ing rolled out the first prototype in September 2000. The In the initial days of war when numbers of missions
newer versions have the capability of mid-air refuelling, over targets for ‘parallel warfare’ as well as the total throw
self-designating pods and more importantly autonomous weight against the adversary becomes crucial for achieving
control, reducing the continuous monitoring by an operator air superiority, a complementary role for the UCAV will be-
on the ground. Two such UCAVs have also been fitted with come vital. In what combination should the manned combat
the standard USAF ‘Link16’ and flown on cooperative test aircraft and UCAVs participate would depend on the indig-
missions. Such tests have demonstrated future operations enous technological prowess on one hand and the air force
by multiple UCAVs, integration of UCAVs with other military doctrine on the other. The Indian Air Force needs to look at
aircraft and the feasibility of integration within the entire all such options for the future. SP
INDigenous UAV: DRDO’s rustom-1

recently made its 14th successful flight
trendsetter:
boeing’s x-45A UCAV

Show Report Defexpo
Indigenisation
Mantra
Defexpo 2012, jointly organised by the Ministry of Defence and the

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, brought
567 exhibitors (up from 412 in 2010) from 32 countries for the
country’s biggest-ever land, naval and homeland security systems
exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from March 29 to April 1
T
hat India will con- By R. Chandrakanth had taken the most space at the show
tinue to be one of the with 1,293 square metres and Russia
biggest defence markets had the highest number of companies
for some time to come (37). The US and France had consid-
is obvious to the world. erable representation.
Original equipment man-
ufacturers (OEMs) heading to India in droves is a natural India Focus
corollary and Defexpo 2012 made an emphatic statement As the Indian defence forces and homeland security acqui-
to that effect. sition needs are growing, there is enhanced momentum in
Defexpo 2012, jointly organised by the Ministry of De- defence production and procurement. Hence, the mantra at
fence and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce the seventh edition of Defexpo India 2012 was to enhance
and Industry (FICCI), brought 567 exhibitors (up from 412 private sector participation and revitalise the public sector
in 2010) from 32 countries for the country’s biggest-ever to accelerate defence production in India. The agenda for
land, naval and homeland security systems exhibition at this was set by Defence Minister A.K. Antony who inaugu-
Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from March 29 to April 1. rated the event.
The 32 countries included Russia, France, Israel, Belgium, The editorial team of SP Guide Publications which spoke
Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germa- to a number of OEMs and defence officials found that they
Photograph: Pib
ny, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nether- were not only enthused by the market prospects, but also
lands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Singapore, Slovak Repub- were ready for the long haul. Importantly, they found that
lic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Turkey, USA Defexpo had matured over the years and the quality of exhi-
and the UK. There was strong presence from Israel which bition and conferences had ‘upped’ considerably.

Show Report Defexpo
Though a substantial number of foreign OEMs were pres- cle (MPV). However, the showstopper was the Xenon Recce
ent, the refrain was to increase the level of indigenisation, 4x4, a multi-purpose vehicle that will serve as a general ser-
with or without transfer of technology. Defence Minister A.K. vice, troop carrier, escort, recce or a weapon mount vehicle.
Antony was emphatic that India’s thrust area was high level
of indigenisation in defence. “Our emphasis is on public-pri- MKU ties up with German firm
vate sector partnership in the defence industry. Enabling pol- MKU, India’s leading manufacturer and supplier of ballis-
icy framework has been put in place to develop indigenous tic protection and surveillance equipment for armed forces,
capabilities through harnessing the potential and utilising paramilitary forces and police worldwide announced a 50:50
the resources available both in the public and the private joint venture with EIS Electronics GMBH from Germany to
sector. Our defence industry is now open up to 100 per cent form EIS Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. The companies will invest
for Indian private sector participation, while foreign direct $5 million (`25 crore) to manufacture cable harness products.
investment (FDI) is permissible up to 26 per cent.”
US-India Partnership Strengthens
Defence Outsourcing Hub The US-India Business Council (USIBC) Executive Defence
With the introduction of the Defence Offset policy, India is Mission to Defexpo signalled the deepened defence and se-
gradually becoming a key outsourcing hub for the global curity partnership between the United States and India. The
defence industry. “Defexpo demonstrates our capability to Executive Mission was led by General Paul J. Kern (Retd),
design, develop and deliver a wide range of military and Senior Counsellor, Cohen Group and Vice Admiral (Retd)
civil products and services to meet the stringent specifica- Kevin J. Cosgriff, Senior Vice President, International Busi-
tions and that too at the most competitive price. We are open ness & Government, Textron Systems.
to enter into mutually beneficial agreements with friendly ATK, BAE Systems Inc, Boeing, Cohen Group, DuPont,
countries in the field of critical and state-of-the-art futuristic General Dynamics, Harris, Honeywell, ITT Exelis, L-3 Com-
defence technologies. We would welcome all such proposals munications, Lockheed Martin, Navistar Defense, Northrop
in our endeavour to modernise our armed forces.” Grumman, Oshkosh, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP,
The Minister of State for Defence Dr M.M. Pallam Raju PwC, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, SAS, Sikorsky, Telephonics
said that the introduction of the new category of acquisition, Corporation, Textron Systems, Tyco, and many other com-
‘Buy and Make (Indian)’, is a major shift enabling Indian in- panies were active at the show.
dustries to enter into joint ventures with foreign OEMs. The On display were current offerings such as Textron Sys-
route opened up ways for technology transfer. tems’ ground-based smart weapons and naval common
unmanned surface vessel, BAE Systems’ M777 155mm
Launches, MoUs, JVs and other Mega Deals lightweight howitzer, armoured security and light combat
Defexpo 2012 presented a perfect platform for companies to vehicles, tactical communications equipment, integrated
showcase their capabilities and further their business. The weapons systems, thermal imaging technologies and net-
seventh edition saw a slew of launches, memoranda of un- work munitions systems.
derstanding, joint ventures and other mega deals.
Here we present some of the major announcements at the French Pavilion
show. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisa- The French pavilion coordinated by GICAN, the French
tion (DRDO) launched about 70 products (some of which had Marine Industry Association, and GICAT, the French Land
dual application). It had on display its well-known missile sys- Defence Industry Association had exhibitors such as Alkan,
tems, unmanned aerial vehicles and soldier support systems, ASB Aerospatiale Batteries, CILAS, CNIM, DCI, DCNS, EADS,
explosive detection kits, etc. The country expects more from ECA EN, ECA Robotics, , ELNO SN, Eurenco, Euronaval, Eu-
DRDO and there seems to be some promise on that front. rosatory, Exxelia, MBDA, Nexter, Panhard, Renault Trucks
DRDO signed a memorandum of understanding with the Defence, Thales etc. Dassault Rafale winning the medium
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for development of Indian multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition has come
automatic identification system (IAIS) for coastal security. It as a humongous boost to French companies which are look-
is a satellite data terminal which will be jointly developed ing at synergies.
by the Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL),
Dehradun and BEL. Israel and Russian dominance continues
Both the countries which have had long-standing defence
Mahindra enters into JVs partnership with India were present in substantial num-
Private sector is making fast inroads into defence produc- bers. The major Israeli companies at Defexpo included Rafa-
tion and many big players are betting big on it. Mahindra el, IAI, Elbit Systems, IWI, Controp, SIBAT (Israel’s Defence
& Mahindra Limited announced two joint ventures—first Export and Defence Cooperation agency which coordinates
with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the oth- sales of Israeli companies). Israelis showcased a wide range
er with Telephonics Corporation, a subsidiary of the North of ISR platforms and electro-optical payloads, communi-
America’s Griffon Corporation. cation systems and radios, etc which are key inputs in an
asymmetric warfare.
Tata’s Showstopper The pronounced statement from Defexpo has been that In-
The Tatas had many products on display including the LPTA dia is looking for strategic partnership to grow its own defence
5252 12x12 Prahaar missile system, the 8x8 Pinaka con- production at an accelerated pace. With liberal policies, it is
tainer, the 8x8 and 6x6 carrier and the mine protected vehi- happening, and the defence industry is abuzz with activity. SP

Show Report Defexpo
The Defence Minister A.K. Antony inaugurates Defexpo 2012 by lighting a lamp in New Delhi on March 29, 2012
The Defence Minister A.K. Antony addressing the audience at the Minister of State for Defence Dr M.M. Pallam Raju addressing
inauguration of Defexpo 2012 the audience
Photographs: Sp guide pubns
SP Guide Publications CMD and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal Jayant Baranwal welcoming the Minister of State for Defence Dr
presenting a bouquet of flowers to Defence Minister A.K. Antony M.M. Pallam Raju to SP Guide Publications booth
at SP Guide Publications booth

Show Report Defexpo
Dinesh Keskar, President, Boeing India and Air Vice Marshal Shouvik Roy of Aviation Delegates during the inauguration
Jayant Baranwal full of smiles Research Centre (ARC) with Jayant Baranwal
Aerovironment displaying unmanned systems skeldar v-200 uas model on display in Northrop Grumman’s Long Endurance Multi
saab stall Intelligence Vehicle model on display
typhoon model on display shinmaywa’s stall dispaying models of their thales stall displaying their aerospace and
amphibian aircraft defence security product line
Airbus military stall displaying models of a330 boeing stall displaying an array of military IAI stall displaying ELTA’s third generation
mrtt and c295 aircraft aircraft models elw-2090 aew&c model

Show Report Defexpo
Show Highlights
Saab’s solutions
Raytheon to help IAF Jaguars for Indian armed forces
acquire high-end Precision Teeth
I
n an interaction during Defexpo 2012, Inderjit Sial, Managing Di-
rector, Saab India Technologies Pvt Ltd, stated that with Saab’s
D
uring Defexpo 2012, exports rising steadily, the company was exploring options
Raytheon revealed worldwide. However, as India was clearly emerging as a market
that it has started pro- with immense potential, Saab intended to not only penetrate the
curing components required vibrant and versatile Indian market but also to leverage India’s
to build munition control strong technology base and manufacturing capabilities in such a
Units (MCUs) for 126 of the way so as to create new opportunities to meet the demands of the
IAF’s Jaguar Darin II strike growing world market. To this end, Saab will be exploring opportu-
aircraft. Once installed on nities for partnership with the private and public defence industry
the Jaguar, the MCUs would in India as the way forward for business here. Saab had already
enable integration of mod- entered into a contract with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for
ern weapons on legacy aircraft with minimal to no modifications manufacture of the airborne electronic warfare equipment for the
to aircraft wiring and the flight or store management software. advanced light helicopter (ALH) programme for the Indian Army as
Compact in size, the MCU can easily be located in a weapon’s well as the Indian Air Force.
pylon or avionics bay of a legacy aircraft from where it can interface At the Defexpo, Saab showcased cutting-edge technologies
‘smart weapons’ and the existing software of a legacy aircraft. For and solutions for the Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, civil
example MCU will give the Jaguar capability to employ ‘smart’ or aviation and homeland security apparatus. As per Inderjit Sial,
‘advanced’ weapons like the joint standoff weapon (JSW), Maverick Saab regarded the Defexpo as an event crucial to its business
missile, Paveway precision guided munition and AIM-9M Sidewinder interests. Saab is offering high technology solutions and products
air-to-air missiles.  in the areas of C4I, electronic warfare including self-protection
—By Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia systems, missile and weapon systems, combat aircraft, airborne
RBS 70 NG of Saab
T
he all-new RBS 70 next
generation (NG) very
short-range air defense
(VHSORAD) system which fea-
tured at Defexpo is a versatile
air defence system on offer to
the Indian Army. “We believe
that the RBS 70 NG meets
and exceeds the requirements
of the Indian Army for a system
that has multiple target seek-
ing and tracking capabilities, multi-launcher capability, ability to deploy
from high mobility vehicles and ship and submarine naval vessels, abil-
ity to engage aerial targets by day and night and aerial target detection sensors, maritime and civil security systems as also the GIRAFFE
Photographs Clockwise: Raytheon, SP Guide Pubns, saab
capability,” said Bo Almqvist , Campaign Director RBS 70, Saab India. Family of radars. To meet the requirements of the Indian Navy, in
Saab’s all-new RBS 70 NG VSHORAD system with integrated 24/7 response to request for information (RFI) and request for proposal
all-target capability has been developed for any combat situation. Its in- (RFPs) floated by service, Saab has offered the Saab 2000 medium-
tegrated sighting solution, enhanced missile operator aids, unbeatable range maritime patrol aircraft, the Sea Gripen carrier version of the
range and unjammable laser guidance combine to produce a system single engine fighter aircraft, self propelled underwater acoustic tar-
with world-leading capabilities. With the latest generation of missile – get with the modular and reconfigurable autonomous underwater
the BOLIDE – the RBS 70 NG is directed at the complete air and ground vehicle, AUV 62 and the Sea Giraffe.
threat spectrum, from fixed and rotary wing aircraft and helicopters At the exhibition this year, Saab’s primary focus was on land and
down to small targets such as cruise missiles, UAVs and armoured naval systems, with emphasis on the RBS 70 NG missile system.
ground targets like APCs. It is an accurate, unjammable missile system Saab also displayed the underwater AUV systems and the C4I sys-
which is immune to countermeasures, heat sources and clutter. Its sa- tems, along with camouflage and a variety of other parts of the prod-
lient features are: automatic target tracking, integrated thermal imager, uct portfolio. Saab has also responded to an RFP for Electronic De-
visual target assignment, simplifed aiming functions, simultaneous defence Systems for the Indian Army’s T-90 upgradation programme. 
tection of several targets and all-target capability.  —By Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey
—By Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand

Show Report Defexpo
ATK’s Aerospace Systems &

Raytheon’s Project Athena
Missile Products
Multi-Domain Awareness System
D
uring Defexpo, Raytheon carried out an exclusive brief-
ing for SP’s Aviation to highlight the benefits of its Project
Athena as a robust ‘multi-domain awareness system’ and
its suitability in the overall architecture of the IAF’s Integrated Air
Command & Control Centres (IACCS) under development for the
conduct of command, control, communications, computers, in-
telligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) operations.
Athena is a network-centric, multi-domain C4ISR system for high
performance situation awareness, fusion and analysis and knowl-
edge management. By exploiting information from global sources
— including sensors, databases and intelligence — Athena delivers
persistent surveillance, situational awareness and anomaly detec-
A
tion aids to reduce operator workload. TK had a wide range of products in different disciplines such
Athena uses a modern, extendable and open C4ISR enter- as aerospace systems, armament systems, missile products
prise-grade framework allowing the integration of a wide range and security and sporting. The company claims to be the
of sensors and supports collaboration across command cen- world’s top producer of solid rocket propulsion systems. It manu-
tres. It employs user-friendly and role-based methods of manag- factures advanced composite structures and components and sup-
ing correlated information and sharing across local, regional or plies satellite components and sub-systems. It is a world leader
global joint command interests. Athena delivers fast and flexible in missile propulsion, warheads, fuzing, missile warning systems
multi-domain awareness for rapid operational deployments using and next-generation anti-radiation homing missile systems. It also
proven components. It also has applicability in other homeland provides missionised aircraft with weapons and intelligence, surveil-
security missions. lance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Whether it’s the skeletal structure of the Airbus A350XWB air-
frame, business jet fuselage structures or the fan containment sec-
tions of the latest commercial airliner engines, ATK marks its pres-
ence by delivering affordable, high-quality components as required
and on schedule.
On the military front too, the company’s advanced composite manu-
facturing technologies produce light-weight and reliable structures, in-
cluding wing skins and other components that make up the exterior of
the US latest stealth fighter, the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. Its
missile guidance technology is enabling a new era of precision in engag-
ing and destroying enemy air defences and time-critical mobile targets.
ATK’s vast variety of medium-calibre gun systems and ammunition con-
fers devastating firepower to military aircraft such as the A-10 with its
world famous armour-beating multi-barrel gun system or the M230 Chain
Gun which arms every Apache helicopter (IAF will receive 22 of these at-
tack helicopters in due course). The company boasts of its fuzes, war-
heads, and rocket motors that are critical ingredients in todays most
widely fielded combat systems and meeting the latest requirements.
Athena provides seamless coverage across domains and op- The company’s latest innovation is to bring laser-guided precision to
erational centres/sectors. It integrates multiple sensors and ISR even 70mm rockets under a programme called guided advanced tactical
data sources and supports rapid integration of new types. It em- rocket (GATR) which would provide the most cost-effective solution as a
ploys user-configurable tools for workload reduction. It delivers short-range air-to-surface missile (ASM).
shared knowledge, awareness, operational picture and actionable ATK’s human space capability includes solid rocket boosters,
Photographs Left to right: Raytheon, nasa
intelligence. It employs standards-based service-oriented archi- engineering services, astronaut tools and solar arrays. Its reusable
tecture using network-centric communications. Its plug-in architec- solid rocket motors (RSRM) —part of the world’s largest product line
ture supports new capability integration. It is easily extensible; of solid rocket motors—provided most of the thrust that launched
compatible with service-oriented architecture capable tools and the space shuttle since the beginning of the programme more than
is potentially scalable from local to worldwide applications if the three decades ago. Currently, ATK is testing and maturing the de-
situation so demands. It therefore offers in the IAF’s context a sign of a more powerful and advanced version of this technology for
multi-domain awareness system starting from the local level right commercial space launches as also to support a NASA heavy lift
through Command HQs, Service HQ and even to the level of the vehicle. ATK’s Castor 30-series motors are being incorporated into
‘National Command Post’.  commercial rockets that will soon perform resupply missions to the
—By Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia International Space Station (ISS). 
—By Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

Interview Defexpo
India will be one of the

most important growth
markets in the world
In an interview with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Aviation,
Norbert Ducrot, Senior Executive Vice President, Asia-Pacific, Eurocopter,
said that the company is ready to extend its industrial relationship with
local partners
SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Can you tell us about your immediate and rescue, offshore patrolling and counter-terrorism, casu-
plans for India and cooperation with Indian armed forces? alty evacuation and vertical replenishment.
Norbert Ducrot (Ducrot): We have a wide range of prod- For the Indian Coast Guard’s need for shore-based he-
ucts that are suited to meet the armed forces’ needs, as we licopters, Eurocopter’s twin-engine EC725 offers a proven
showcased during Defexpo 2012. At this stage, we are still rotorcraft based on the Super Puma/Cougar family. With
awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) re- its all-weather capability, range, heavy-lift capacity and
garding the 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicop- complete systems package, the EC725 delivers the combat
ter request for proposal (RFP), which has been ongoing for search and rescue (CSAR) performance required by India.
eight years now. We are very confident about the helicopter
that we have proposed—the AS550 C3 Fennec, a new gen- SP’s: How would you rate the potential in India versus
eration helicopter—fully meeting the Army’s and Air Force’s other Asian countries?
requirements. We don’t foresee any reasons for further de- Ducrot: We estimate the Asian military helicopter market to
lays because the MoD has followed all procedures. be valued at about $15-20 billion (`75,000-1,00,000 crore)
In this context, we are ready to extend our 40-year in- for the period till 2020, and we expect the largest contribu-
dustrial relationship with local partners—from transfer of tor to be India (estimated at 50 per cent). India is also the
technology (ToT) and integration into Eurocopter global largest defence market in Asia. We are participating in vari-
supply chain to setting up of production line, with a compre- ous RFPs and our helicopter range covers the requirements
hensive training system to be established. of the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard.
SP’s: What capabilities did you showcase during Defexpo SP’s: What kind of future do you foresee with India in
2012? the next 10-20 years?
Ducrot: In anticipation of the armed forces’ needs, we Ducrot: There are around 270 turbine engine commercial
showcased the C3 Fennec, AS565 MBe Naval Panther and helicopters in India today. There was an overall slowdown
EC725 rotorcraft. The AS550 C3 Fennec is proposed for the in the Indian helicopter sector in 2010 and 2011, but we can
Army and Air Force in the 197 reconnaissance and surveil- see a recovery in 2012 with an annual growth rate of about
lance helicopters (RSH) competition. For the Indian Coast 20 per cent. Hence we can expect to see more than 500 civil
Guard, we are proposing the AS565 MBe Panther (naval helicopters in India by 2015.
version) for their requirement for ship-based light/medium The Indian market has huge potential and will be one of
helicopters, and the EC725 for their shore-based helicopter the most important growth markets in the world because of
need. The Naval Panther will also be proposed for the Indian (1) size of the country; (2) growth of the economy; (3) diver-
Navy’s anticipated acquisition of utility helicopters. sity in its terrain and the geographical constraints; (4) lack
The AS565 MBe Naval Panther is service-proven at high of road/train infrastructures. Currently, growth of the com-
availability rates with many of the world’s naval forces and mercial use of helicopters is limited by the regulations and
coast guard services. It is an all-weather, multi-role light level of taxes imposed. SP
helicopter tailored for operations from ship decks, offshore
platforms and land bases, with demonstrated capabilities to
cover the entire range of Indian Navy and Coast Guard mis- To read the full version of the interview, visit:
sion requirements—including maritime surveillance, search www.spsaviation.net/interviews

Interview Defexpo
We seek to be a
long-standing, trusted
partner to India
From unmanned aircraft and surface vessels to intelligence solutions
for homeland security, Textron has a range of products on offer. In an
interaction with SP’s Aviation, Frederick M. Strader, President and CEO,
Textron Systems, laid out the company’s India plans.
SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Can you tell us about your immedi- Unattended ground sensors (UGS): Textron Systems offers
ate plans for Indian market? a scalable suite of UGS suitable for a variety of tactical and
Frederick M. Strader (Strader): Textron Systems is actively homeland security applications such as convoy protection,
engaged in its contract to provide 512 sensor fused weapons perimeter security and border control.
for the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Jaguar aircraft. Announced Common unmanned surface vessel (CUSV): The Fleet-Class
as a foreign military sale in late 2010, sensor fused weapon CUSV offers multi-mission capabilities with a reconfigurable
will provide the IAF an area strike capability that does not payload bay, sliding autonomy, and high tow force capacity.
leave behind hazardous unexploded ordnance. In addition, Landing craft, air cushion (LCAC): Textron Marine & Land
we continue to engage in dynamic conversations with the Systems’ LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach, fully am-
Indian Government, armed forces and security agencies, as phibious landing craft capable of carrying up to 75 tonnes
well as industry members, on the variety of technologies we of payload at speeds over 40 knots.
offer that meet their needs. Armoured security vehicle (ASV): Optimised survivability,
all-terrain performance and battle-proven firepower de-
SP’s: What all capabilities did you showcase during Def- scribe the ASV.
expo 2012 held recently, this year?
Strader: The capabilities showcased at Defexpo include: SP’s: How would you rate the potential in India versus
The Spider networked munitions system: Spider is a other Asian countries?
man-in-the-loop networked munitions area denial system Strader: Needs across the region vary and we give impor-
designed to replace indiscriminate landmines. It consists tance to all our customers across the world. We are paying
of three major components: a communications system for particular attention to the growing requirements of the In-
man-in the-loop control, a simple trip line sensor system to dian Government, armed forces and security agencies as we
tell the operator of an intrusion, and a munitions system that seek to be a long-standing, trusted partner to India and its
can provide both lethal and non-lethal responses. Spider’s defence industry.
man-in-the-loop control and off-on-off feature, which allows
the system to be recovered from the field, gives the operator SP’s: What kind of future do you foresee with India in
the ability to secure an area while protecting friendly forces the next 10-20 years?
and civilians. Strader: The trends are very positive. Textron and its busi-
Scorpion networked ground munitions system: The Scor- nesses are committed to developing strong relationships
pion system integrates sensors, munitions and networking with the government and industry of India. At Textron Sys-
technologies to detect, track, classify, report, engage and de- tems, we are delighted to be a current supplier to the IAF
stroy light wheeled and heavy tracked vehicles. via the US foreign military sales (FMS) programme. We
BattleHawk squad-level loitering munition: BattleHawk are in discussions with the various armed services and the
is a unique backpack-carried, tube-launched system de- Ministry of Home Affairs to understand their requirements
signed to carry a variety of lethal warheads and sensors. and determine how Textron Systems can support them. SP
With loitering capability and delivery from open or defilade
position, the BattleHawk squad-level loitering munitions
provides precision lethal effects against personnel and light To read the full version of the interview, visit:
vehicle targets. www.spsaviation.net/interviews

Interview Defexpo
India will be near the

top of the world’s
strongest economies in
10 to 20 years
In an interaction with SP’s Aviation, Mike Alvis,Vice President of
International Business Development, ITT Exelis, said that export controls
by the US Government are expected to ease in the next five to ten years,
making more high-tech goods exportable. India’s desire to become an
exporter also provides opportunities for partnership, which did not
exist before.
SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Can you information. The benefit of
indicate your immediate plans i-Aware Tactical is enhanced
for India? situational awareness, rapid
Mike Alvis (Alvis): As the In- decision-making and improved
dian defence market continues mission effectiveness.
to grow, it will be critical for
companies to demonstrate their SP’s: How would you rate
ability to deliver affordable, the potential in India versus
mission-critical solutions to this other Asian countries?
region. In India, we are posi- Alvis: India has a million-per-
tioned to provide products and son Army and Asia is the sec-
services that are fully integrated ond fastest growing economy
and networked, enabling our In- in the world. Today, India is
dian customers to protect their empowered with significant
borders, enhance their military buying power. India also has
forces and have access to the full internal threats and chal-
spectrum of information needed lenges on their borders that
to meet any mission. require high-end solutions.
SP’s: What capabilities did you showcase during Defexpo SP’s: What kind of future do you foresee with India in
2012? the next 10-20 years?
Alvis: Our focus at Defexpo 2012 was on highlighting our Alvis: India will be near the top of the world’s strongest
broad array of night vision technology, intelligence, surveil- economies and most modern militaries within the next
lance and reconnaissance (ISR) and spectrum solutions as 10 to 20 years. Their strategy of non-alignment provides
well as tactical communications (networking, waveform de- a more level-playing field for the US companies and their
velopment and high capacity data solutions). ambition for high-technology solutions also favours the US
We showcased a wide range of technologies that reflect companies. Export controls by the US Government are ex-
our strong portfolio in C4ISR, including our commitment to pected to ease in the next five to ten years, making more
providing the battle management system (BMS) for India. high-tech goods exportable. India’s desire to become an ex-
Photograph: Itt exelis
The BMS solutions highlighted at Defexpo included Spear- porter also provides opportunities for partnership, which
Net and high capacity data radio (HCDR). Image intensifica- did not exist before. SP
tion night vision goggles were also on display at the show.
We displayed our latest i-Aware Tactical goggle. i-Aware
Tactical has the ability to transmit and receive real-time video, To read the full version of the interview, visit:
photos, mapping information and other important battlefield www.spsaviation.net/interviews

Hall of Fame
W
hat can a pilot left Long Island, New York, in the Win- distance without a navigator was a huge
with only one eye do? nie Mae. Post had made several modi- strain for the pilot, who had to determine
Plenty, if he happened fications including an improved instru- the position and maintain the desired
to be Wiley Post. Born ment panel, adjustable seats, and a track while flying the plane. Many avia-
on November 22, 1898, special navigation station. Despite over tors believed a solo trans-global flight
in Grand Saline, Texas, USA, Wiley Har- a dozen halts and many emergency was well-nigh impossible. Post took
deman Post longed to be an aviator repairs, they arrived back after cover- off from New York on July 15, 1933, in
even as a teenager. When a barnstorm- ing 24,903 km in a record time of eight the Winnie Mae. He had two new flight
er needed a substitute for his injured days, 15 hours and 51 minutes. The instruments—a Sperry gyroscope and
skydiver, Wiley volunteered, although two became heroes overnight. Howev- a radio direction finder. The gyroscope
he had never parachuted before. automatically corrected the plane if
In two years, he made 99 jumps. it deviated from its heading, while
But piloting is what he craved and the radio direction finder helped
he kept his dream alive despite him navigate towards selected ra-
his humdrum job in a Texas oil- dio transmitters. Although Post
field. In 1926, an industrial acci- experienced problems with his
dent lodged a splinter in his eye. gyroscope and suffered a bent pro-
A serious infection developed that peller, he repaired both items and
threatened his vision in both eyes. maintained his planned pace. The
So he reluctantly agreed to the result was a new around-the-world
doctor’s proposal to remove the record of seven days 18 hours and
injured eye in a desperate attempt 49 minutes. He had slept just 20
to save the other. The operation hours during the entire journey.
worked, but it left him seriously Fifty thousand people greeted him
handicapped. However, the silver on his return and his detractors
lining was a compensation cheque were silenced.
of $1,800 with which he bought his In 1934, Post conceived and
first plane, a Curtiss Canuck. He helped to design and test the
quickly became proficient enough first fully pressurised flying suit
to teach others to fly, ferry oilmen and helmet. Wearing pressure
to their rigs, and barnstorm on the Wiley Post clothing, he reached altitudes of
side. Since depth perception was 50,000 ft where he discovered the
a problem, he learned to use tele- (1898 - 1935) jet streams. In 1935, he became
phone poles and buildings to judge interested in surveying a mail-
the height while coming in to land. Post was an incorrigible and-passenger air route from the
Post’s big break came when his West Coast of the US to Russia.
employer, the wealthy Oklahoma daredevil, always on lookout Short of cash, he built a hybrid
oilman F.C. Hall bought a high- for adventure. He never plane using parts salvaged from
wing, single-engine Lockheed Vega. two different aircraft: the fuse-
Named the Winnie Mae, after his shied away from danger lage of a Lockheed Orion and the
daughter, he gave Post a free run
with it. The beautifully streamlined
and many Americans had wings of a wrecked experimental
Lockheed Explorer. Post’s close
plane was actually a six-passenger been greatly inspired by the friend, the famous humourist Will
transport aircraft, with a crew of
two. Lockheed built only 130 Vegas
way he overcame his severe Rogers, joined him in his Alaskan
journey in search of new material
and they acquired a reputation for impairment and became a for his newspaper column. How-
rugged reliability and airworthi- ever, while they were attempting
ness, becoming one of the most
celebrated pilot. take-off from a lagoon on August
famous aircraft of the period. In 15, 1935, the engine of their plane
1930, Post flying the Winnie Mae quit at low altitude. The modified
won the Men’s Air Derby, a race machine, which was uncontrolla-
from Los Angeles to Chicago, and part of er, in an ironical twist to the tale, some bly nose-heavy at low speed, plunged
the US National Air Races. people began to talk about the Post’s into the lagoon killing both men in-
Wiley Post was an incorrigible rural background and limited formal stantly. Wiley Post never shied away
daredevil, always on the lookout for education and claim that Gatty, a well- from danger and many Americans had
adventure, and he next set his heart on known Australian navigator and avia- been greatly inspired by the way he
breaking the record for flying around tor, had been the real brains behind overcame his severe impairment and
the world. The existing mark had been their trans-global feat. became a celebrated pilot. But on this
set by a Graf Zeppelin airship, with That did it. Post began planning a occasion his luck ran out. SP
a time of 21 days. On June 23, 1931, solo trip around the world. In those days —Group Captain (Retd)
Post and his navigator, Harold Gatty, of rudimentary instruments, flying long- Joseph Noronha, Goa

news Digest
BY SP’s Special Correspondent
Finally, LCA Navy Flies IAF scouts for nine new warfare training, employment of ect aimed at developing an un-
COMJAM/SIGINT aircraft different weapon systems with manned air vehicle (UAV) could
use of all models/sensors of na- provide reconnaissance and sur-
val attack systems, simulation of veillance over an urban scenario
failures (such as bird hit or me- persistently. Besides the UAS has
chanical failure), air-to ground fir- been designed and built to meet
ing, aircraft combat with enemy design specifications that were
aircraft controlled by instructor, put down by the Lockheed's en-
simulation of emergencies and gineers in 2009. Lockheed has
After several stops and starts, failures of all kinds. Each of the provided the student team with
and extremely complex tech- two domes needs to hold a full- their financial support and engi-
The Indian Air Force has an- neering mentorship. The team is
nological hurdles, India's first size replica of the Hawk cockpit
nounced its intention to acquire currently conducting regular test
fighter aircraft, custom-built in all respects and geometry.
nine new aircraft for survey, flights and expanding the capa-
for carrier operations took to target towing, COMJAM and IAF looking for surveil- bilities of the system.
the skies on its maiden flight. airborne SIGINT. Seven aircraft lance radars
The naval light combat aircraft should be suitably integrated by Maiden flight of the
(LCA-Navy) was to begin flight the OEM and certified for the second indigenous AEW&C
testing in December 2010, but survey, target Towing and COM-
a series of issues have kept it JAM roles including dropping of
on the ground. The team, led flares, passenger and cargo roles.
by Commodore (Retd) C.D. Ba- Two aircraft should be certified
laji, and the National Flight Test to perform the SIGINT role. The
Centre went through a gruelling basic platform for all the nine air-
routine of ground tests before craft is to be the same platform
confidence was finally built up and is to comply with FAA/JAAR As part of its mammoth surveil-
for a successful 22-minute flight, or equivalent standards. The role lance ramp-up, the IAF has an-
piloted by Commodore Jaideep equipment and role performance nounced its interest in acquiring India's indigenous AEW&C pro-
Avinash Maolankar and Wing is to comply with related Mil STD/ an unspecified number of sur- gramme is moving along nicely,
Commander M. Prabhu. Both equivalent stipulations. veillance radars to monitor its with the second prototype taking
pilots reported that the aircraft airfield areas across the coun- to the skies this week, just four
responded as expected and that IAF wants twin-dome try, perimeter security, surface months after the first prototype
they were looking forward to the simulator for Hawk AJT movement and all activities in flew. The flight took place on
rest of the flight test programme. The Indian Air Force is looking and around the airfield area to April 4 at San Jose dos Campos
The LCA-Navy will be part to procure a twin-dome simula- prevent potential sabotage. in Brazil. All mission systems
of the Indian Navy's carrier fleet tor for conversion, continuity Keeping with the expansion and components, including the
but perhaps not in its current av- and mission training for air- of its air bases and new airfields dummy active antenna array
atar. The LCA-Navy Mk.2, to be crew on the Hawk Mk.132 ad- coming up for full operations in unit are fitted on Embraer EMB
powered by the F414 engine, is vanced jet trainer fleet. The IAF the North and North-east, the IAF 145 I aircraft.
likely to meet the Indian Navy's has stipulated that the simula- will be looking to acquire the best The crucial second flight,
requirements for aircraft carrier tor needs to be of a "twin-dome" possible surveillance cover. A sim- which now gives the pro-
operations and is more likely to variety, capable of training even ilar large tender for CCTV camer- gramme a pair of aircraft in
be the aircraft that the Navy or- ab initio pilots on all aspects of as will look to install such camer- flight testing, comes just two
ders in numbers. The STOBAR basic fighter flying on the Hawk. as at all air bases and installations months before both airframes
LCA Navy will operate off the INS The system needs to have with the intention to leave no area are flown to India. The other
Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. high-fidelity control laws incor- blinded to security staff. mission systems will then be in-
porated for realistic simulation Sources say with the mod- tegrated on the aircraft and mis-
Mirage 2000 fleet resumes
of all phases of flight and net- ernisation of airfields, huge in- sion system flight trials (MSFT)
interim flying OPS
worked with other assets for vestments are being pumped into are scheduled from November
real time simulation. The sys- the best electronic infrastructure 2012. Sources say that test pi-
tem needs to broadly comprise for seamless operations, and this lots are extremely pleased with
a cockpit module, instructor's requires unhindered protection handling qualities of the EMB
operating stations, visual dis- round the clock. 145I and are looking forward
play and computing systems to testing it with all systems on.
and remote replay/debrief sta- Lockheed funded student Apart from the external mission
tions. It may be noted that the UAV project on course systems developed indigenously
December 2011 flying course at The Next Generation Urban and fitted on this aircraft, rest of
the Air Force Academy was the Unmanned Air System Develop- the internal systems will be in-
The Indian Air Force's fleet of Mi- ment Project at Delhi Techno- tegrated into the aircraft on ar-
first where trainee pilots used
rage 2000T/TH multi-role fighter the Hawk AJTs, dispensing with logical University, co-sponsored rival to India.”
aircraft have begun interim fly- MiG-21s for the first time in the by Lockheed-Martin, is mak- DRDO has contracted to pro-
ing operations after nearly two IAF's modern training regimen. ing healthy progress. The UAV, cure three EMB 145I from Em-
months on the ground following The IAF needs its new simu- named Arush X1, has been braer and this aircraft will be
two crashes in February and lator to be capable of providing prototyped and all sub-systems the first delivery towards meet-
March. Both aircraft crashed after training in mission preparation have been integrated. It has ing this endeavour. •
their pilots experienced engine on ground, avionics systems op- been test flown over eight times For complete versions log on
flame-out at high altitude, forcing eration, basic flying during all with total flight time exceeding to: www.spsaviation.net &
planned ejections in both cases. phases of flight, generic electronic two hours. "This research proj- www.spsmai.com

news Digest
Military and long-haul surveillance at the Lockheed Martin QuickRoundUp
drones by at least 45 per cent Aeronautics site at Marietta.
Asia-Pacific over the next 10 years. The With this delivery, the US
US military’s inventory of un- Air Force now possesses the AAI
Upgradation of IAF combat manned aerial vehicles, will world’s only fifth generation
aircraft grow to 645 aircraft in fiscal stealth fighter aircraft fleet in • AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems has
Minister of Defence A.K. Ant- 2022 from about 445 in fiscal the world. A host of distin- announced that it has won the compet-
ony stated in the Lok Sabha 2013, including versions of guished officials participated itive Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft
that the Indian Air Force Northrop Grumman Corpo- in this monumental event, Systems II award from the US Special
(IAF) undertakes upgrades of ration’s RQ-4 Global Hawk including senior leaders from Operations Command. The three-year
its fighter aircraft to enhance and General Atomics’ MQ-9 Lockheed Martin and the US award, valued at just under $600
their combat potential and Reaper and MQ-1 Predators. Air Force; local, state and million, includes support operations
to ensure their operational In addition, the US Army national elected officials; and using AAI's Aerosonde Small Unmanned
relevance. In the past, the IAF wants to buy 164 Gray Eagle Lockheed Martin employees Aircraft System. Total initial funding for
had undertaken upgrade of drones from General Atom- who helped build the F-22 these activities is $20 million.
MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft. ics of San Diego from 2013 Raptor fleet.
Recently, contracts have also to 2022 “in direct support of AeroVironment
been signed to upgrade the ground forces”. Lockheed Martin PAC-3
MiG-29, Mirage 2000 and cruise missile target • AeroVironment has announced
Jaguar aircraft. The details USAF incorporating MALD that it has received a firm fixed-price
are: contract for upgrade of systems order valued at $20.4 million from
MiG-29 was signed with RAC the US Army for RQ-20A Puma AE
'MiG' at a cost of $964 mil- small unmanned aircraft systems.
lion. The upgrade is planned The Puma AE systems will provide
to be completed by 2016. intelligence, surveillance and recon-
naissance capabilities for security,
Integrated satellite based route clearance operations and
platform overall battlespace awareness to the
Minister of Defence A.K. US forces in Afghanistan. Delivery is
Antony in a written reply On April 25, Lockheed Mar- scheduled within 30 days.
in the Lok Sabha listed out tin’s PAC-3 missile successful-
plans for the induction of The US Air Force is currently ly intercepted and destroyed AgustaWestland
satellite platforms to integrate testing and incorporating a cruise missile target at the
command systems of the miniature air launch decoys Utah Test and Training Range • AgustaWestland has announced
armed forces. The details are: (MALD) and miniature air in an unprecedented in- that AgustaWestland North America,
the naval satellite is planned launch decoy jammers to be teroperability demonstration Inc. has delivered AW139 aircraft to
to be launched in 2012-13; used by the B-52H Stratofor- utilising the joint land attack the Egyptian Air Force via its contract
a dedicated communica- tress and the F-16 Fighting cruise missile defence el- with the US Army Aviation and Missile
tion satellite for Air Force Falcon. MALDs are small evated netted sensor (JLENS) Command Contracting Center for
is planned to be launched jet powered decoys used to and the Patriot system. foreign military sales.
in 2013-14; a tri-services mislead radars and deceive
Defence Communication enemy combatants. MALD DARPA seeks technology to Astrium
Network (DCN) is being pro- jammers provide the same see through clouds
gressed as per the Defence function with the added • Astrium, Europe’s leading space
Procurement Procedure. The capability of jamming enemy technology company, has been
DCN envisages a network of radars allowing friendly awarded a contract by the European
optical fibre cables, satellite aircraft to fly into the area Space Agency to pursue development
earth stations and transport- undetected. The US Air Force of the Ariane 5 midlife evolution (A5
able and portable satellite feel that B-52 is the best ME) launcher. Worth €112 million
terminals with high security platform for the MALD and (about $147 million), this contract
features. The design of these the other aircraft capable of will enable the design of the Ariane 5
systems have features that carrying MALDs is the F-16 ME’s new sub-systems.
enable conduct of simulta- Fighting Falcon.
neous real time networked Warfighters who encounter BAE Systems
operations from multiple sites Lockheed Martin delivers enemy forces on the ground
to cater for contingencies and final, historic F-22 Raptor benefit from overhead aircraft • BAE Systems have announced a
failures, as well as hardware support. Some capabilities are $367 million contract to deliver 70
redundancies for fail safe lost, however, when cloud- digital electronic warfare systems
operations. cover obscures the view. (DEWS)/common missile warning
Typically, airborne weapon systems (CMWS) to upgrade F-15S
Americas systems that use electro-optic fighter jets in support of the Royal
(EO) sensors during support Saudi Air Force.
Drones to increase 45 per missions can’t “see” through
cent in Pentagon plan clouds. Defense Advanced Boeing
The US Defense Department Research Projects Agency
has stated in a report re- (DARPA’s) video synthetic • Boeing has delivered the first
quired by the Congress on its On May 2, 2012, Lockheed aperture radar (ViSAR) pro- 747-8 Intercontinental passenger
aviation blueprint for the next Martin delivered the 195th gramme seeks to develop and airliner to Deutsche Lufthansa AG,
30 years that Pentagon plans and last F-22 Raptor to the demonstrate an extremely thus beginning a new era for the
to increase its fleet of armed US Air Force in a ceremony high frequency (EHF) target-

news Digest
Appointments company chaired by Sheikh QuickRoundUp
Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Na-
Eurocopter hyan, has launched a luxury
Jean-Brice Dumont has been named within the Eurocopter travel division at the Arabian world's most recognised airplane,
Group as Chief Technical Officer and Head of Engineer- Travel Market (ATM) held and a new era of increased efficiency,
ing. Dumont succeeds Jean-Michel Billig, Eurocopter Chief recently at the DICEC. The stronger environmental performance
Technical Officer and Head of Engineering, who will leave the division is a new partnership and greater enjoyment for Lufthansa
company mid-year. with one of the UK’s largest and its passengers.
independent luxury travel
Dassault providers, Eden Luxury DynCorp
Dassault Falcon has promoted Jean-Michel Jacob to Senior Vice Group. This partnership will
President of International Sales. He will oversee all sales activity add value to Royal Jet’s pres- • DynCorp International has an-
for Dassault Falcon in Asia, the Pacific Rim and South America. ent air charter client base nounced that it has been awarded
and create a total luxury a contract potentially worth $176.9
Rolls-Royce India travel solution for those million with NASA to provide aircraft
Rolls-Royce has announced the appointment of Kishore seeking vacations outside the maintenance and operational sup-
Jayaraman as President of Rolls-Royce in India and South present charter business. port services at various locations.
Asia. Kishore was earlier the CEO, GE Energy-India Region.
Americas Eurocopter
BAE Systems
BAE Systems announced that former Secretary of Homeland CAE awarded contracts for • Eurocopter has delivered the first
Security and current board member Michael Chertoff has full-flight simulator helicopter from an initial contract
been elected as the new Chairman of the BAE Systems, Inc. CAE announced that it has for four EC225 helicopters to OMNI
Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning May 1. recently sold seven full-flight Helicopter International (OHI). OHI
simulators (FFSs), including has also placed a second order for
Cassidian an ATR72-500 to Air Algérie six additional EC225 helicopters,
Cassidian announced the appointment of Michael Stevens to in Algeria; a Boeing 737NG bringing to ten the total number of
the role of Chief Executive Officer for Cassidian Ltd, the UK to Emirates-CAE Flight EC225s that they will operate for oil
entity of Cassidian. Training (ECFT) in Dubai, and gas missions in Brazil.
UAE; two Airbus A320 FFSs
CFM for the new Interglobe-CAE France
Raymond Scodellaro has been named CFM International's new joint venture airline train-
Vice President, Contracts. ing centre in Delhi, India; an • The 36 light EC120B helicopters
Embraer ERJ-190 to Zhuhai deployed by Helidax, featuring Sagem’s
Flight Training Centre (ZFTC) integrated cockpit display system
ing sensor which operates Europe in Zhuhai, China; and two and autopilots, have passed the
through clouds as effectively FFSs to undisclosed cus- milestone of 30,000 hours. Helidax, a
as today’s infrared (IR) sen- UK’s first Lockheed Martin tomers. CAE also sold CAE joint subsidiary of the DCI group and
sors operate in clear weather. F-35 makes inaugural flight Simfinity Integrated Proce- INAER, was created as a public-private
BK-1, the United Kingdom’s dures Trainers (IPTs) to ECFT partnership for the French Army’s Light
Precision kill weapon first Lockheed Martin F-35 and ZFTC, an A320 Airbus Aviation Flight School.
system in Afghanistan Lightning II production air- Procedures Trainer (APT)
craft, flew its inaugural flight for the New Delhi training HAL
on April 16. Lockheed Martin centre, plus a CAE Simfinity
test pilot Bill Gigliotti took the Virtual Simulator (VSIM) to • India’s Hindustan Aeronautics
short takeoff/vertical landing ZFTC, as well as simulator Limited has handed over the second
(STOVL) jet through a series updates and spares to vari- interim dividend cheque for `699.50
of functional flight checks ous customers. crore (about $139 million) to the gov-
during a sortie that lasted 45 ernment. The cheque was handed over
minutes. The jet will complete to the Defence Minister A.K. Antony
a series of company and Industry by R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. This is in
government checkout flights addition to the first interim dividend
The advanced precision kill prior to its acceptance by the Asia-Pacific of `48.20 crore paid in January 2012.
weapon system (APKWS), UK Ministry of Defence. The The total interim dividend paid so far
the latest weapon in the UK MoD will use this fifth Bombardier inaugurates in 2011-12 worked out to `747.70
fight against insurgency generation fighter for train- Engineering Service Office crore (about $149 million). The com-
forces, was recently ap- ing and operational tests at Bombardier Aerospace pany achieved highest ever turnover
proved for its first deploy- Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, has announced the official of `14,001 crore (about $2.8 billion),
ment by US Marine Corps. beginning later this year. inauguration of its Engineer- and profit before tax of `3,200 crore
The APKWS, the US Govern- ing Service Office located in (about $640 million) in 2011-12.
ment’s only programme of Bangalore. The Bombardier
record for the semi-active Civil Aviation Engineering Service Office Indonesia
laser-guided 2.75-inch began operation in December
rocket, converts the Hydra Asia-Pacific 2011 and currently employs • Garuda Indonesia, the national
70mm unguided rocket into approximately 20 people. carrier of Indonesia, has placed a
a precision guided muni- Royal Jet launches Luxury The new Engineering Service firm order with Airbus for 11 more
tion through the addition of Vacations Division Office, which will house ap- A330-300 wide body aircraft. The
a mid-body guidance unit Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi- proximately 50 aerospace order is the third to be placed by
(WGU-59/B) developed by based international luxury engineers by the end of 2013, Garuda Indonesia for the A330 since
BAE Systems. executive flight services will support Bombardier

news Digest
Show Calendar Aerospace’s in-production
and in-development aircraft
aircraft flew on a specially
designed stub wing aboard
QuickRoundUp
14–16 May programmes by providing Pratt & Whitney's Boeing
EUROPEAN BUSINESS assistance to both the com- 747SP flying test bed at the July 2010, with the carrier now having
AVIATION CONVENTION & pany and the more than 400 company's Mirabel Aero- a total of 21 aircraft on firm order
EXHIBITION (EBACE) engineers at its partners’ of- space Centre, in Mirabel, for future delivery. All the aircraft will
PalExpo, Geneva, Switzerland fices in the areas of complex Quebec, Canada. be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700
www.ebace.aero/2012 engineering structure design, engines. The twin engine A330 is one
advanced stress analysis and of the most widely used wide-body
16–17 May project management services. Space aircraft in service today.
Airborne Special Mission
Prince Hotel & Residence, Americas Asia-Pacific Lockheed Martin
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.tangentlink.com/Air- Boeing and Embraer sign India successfully launches • Lockheed Martin Mission Systems
borne-Special-Mission--Kuala- agreement RISAT-I and Sensors, Owego, is being
Lumpur-Malaysia--16th-17th- Embraer and Boeing have awarded a $126.5 million modifica-
May-2012.html announced a cooperation tion to a previously awarded advance
agreement to work together acquisition contract to provide for
18–19 May to benefit their customers, the production and delivery of 24
TRADESHOW AVIATION their companies and the mission avionics systems and com-
IDAHO global aviation industry. The mon cockpits for the MH-60R for the
Aero Mark, Idaho Falls Regional agreement establishes an im- Royal Australian Navy under the FMS
Airport, Idaho Falls, Idaho portant relationship between programme. Work is expected to be
www.aeromark.com two of the world's largest completed in March 2017.
aerospace companies to co-
30–31 May operate in ways that enhance In a precision launch PSLV Northrop Grumman
FLYING IN 2050 operational efficiency, safety C19 launch vehicle injected
Hotel de Region, Toulouse, and productivity, improve India's first microwave radar • Northrop Grumman Systems Corpo-
France customer satisfaction and imaging satellite—RISAT-I ration, San Diego, California, has been
www.academie-air-espace. create value for both compa- into orbit from launch pad at awarded an undefinitised contract
com/2050 nies and their customers. Sriharikota on April 26, 2012. action with a not-to-exceed ceiling of
The satellite is a remote $262.33 million for the develop-
7–9 June Teal Group forecasts $89 sensing satellite with syn- ment, manufacture, and test of two
CANNES AIRSHOW billion UAV market thetic aperture radar that can vertical take-off and landing tactical
Cannes Mandelieu Airport, Unmanned aerial vehicles penetrate clouds and image unmanned aerial vehicles (VTUAVs);
Cannes, France continue as the most dynamic earth day and night. It weighs production of six air vehicles; and
www.cannesairshow.com growth sector of the world 1,858 kg. "This is a grand spare parts in support of the VTUAV
aerospace industry this de- success. This is the 20th endurance upgrade rapid deployment
11–15 June cade, report Teal analysts in successive successful flight of capability effort. Work is expected to
Eurosatory 2012 their latest integrated market PSLV. The satellite reached an be completed in May 2014.
Paris Nord Villepinte analysis. Teal Group's 2012 orbit of 470 to 480 km orbit
Exhibition Center, Paris market study estimates that as targeted. Raytheon
www.eurosatory.com UAV spending will almost
double over the next decade Americas • Raytheon, Texas, has been awarded
11–17 June from current worldwide UAV a $191 million contract to procure
Indonesia Airshow expenditures of $6.6 billion NASA and ATK complete multi-spectral targeting system (MTS)
Bali International Airport, annually to $11.4 billion, development of booster Model B turret and high definition
Indonesia totalling just over $89 billion NASA and ATK have success- electronic units, MTS containers, and
www.indonesia-airshow.com in the next ten years. fully completed the first test shop replaceable units for the US Air
for NASA's Space Launch Force. Work is to be completed by
13–14 June P&W PurePower PW1200G System (SLS) booster pro- September 30, 2012.
Airborne Early Warn- engine takes to the skies gramme at ATK's Promon-
ing and Control tory, Utah, test facility. This Rolls-Royce
New Delhi, India demonstration was a key
http://www.tangentlink.com/ avionics and controls test • Rolls-Royce, the global power
Airborne-Early-Warning-and- designated Flight Control systems company, has signed a
Control--New-Delhi-India- Test 1 and included a fully $598 million contract with the US
-13th-14th-June-2012.html integrated flight heritage Department of Defense for 268 AE
thrust vector control system 1107C engines for US Marine Corps
22–24 June with the new SLS booster and Air Force V-22 aircraft. In the
AVIATION EXPO EUROPE avionics subsystem. The first year, Rolls-Royce will deliver 70
Bitburg Airport, Germany avionics subsystem is engines valued at $151 million. The
www.expo.aero/europe The Pratt & Whitney Pure- responsible for booster contract includes four additional
Power (R) PW1200G engine ignition, nozzle steering and option years, with deliveries expected
9–15 July successfully completed booster separation. This test to total 268, including spare engines.
FARNBOROUGH its first flight on April 30, will focus on the avionics Rolls-Royce is the sole manufacturer
INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW launching the engine family's subsystem's ability to start- of the engines for the V-22 and has
Farnborough Airport, UK flight test programme. The up, monitor, steer and shut delivered 550 AE 1107C engines to
www.farnborough.com/air- PW1217G engine for the Mit- down an SLS booster nozzle the US Department of Defense.
show-2012 subishi Regional Jet (MRJ) TVC system. •

Word
Long
Last
a
Wayto Go
T
he Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarked on a
major transformation exercise to not only arrest
the rapid decline but also to bring about a de- The IAF has been hitting dead
cisive reversal in its operational potential in all ends frequently in its efforts to
segments of its capability spectrum. Assets of the
IAF, 50 per cent of which as per former Chief of find a basic trainer. Plans for the
the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik had been overtaken induction of sophisticated and
by obsolescence and ought to have been replaced long ago.
These are now set to give way to modern fourth generation expensive aerial platforms are
platforms such as the 126 Dassault Rafale, ten Boeing C-17
Globemaster III, six additional C-130J Super Hercules and
meaningless without the basic
22 AH-64D Apache Longbow, not forgetting hundreds of Te- wherewithal to train pilots.
jas Mk I & II, indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) to be
followed by the indigenous medium combat aircraft yet on
the drawing board. Apart from these, the IAF is scheduled to
induct additional Phalcon radar equipped AWACS, Embraer a protest filed by rival Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI)
145-based AEW&C platforms and flight refuelling aircraft. pointing out that the leading contender Pilatus had “failed to
The IAF is also seeking to leapfrog into the next generation submit a critical maintenance transfer of technology (MTOT)
through partnership with Sukhoi of Russia to induct by the cost assessment”. KAI stated that as Pilatus was non-compliant
end of this decade, large numbers of the fifth generation with the terms of the tender, it ought to have been disqualified;
fighter aircraft. The number of combat squadrons is slated but was not. Given the penchant for transparency, adherence
to increase from the current level of under 34 to 42 over the to procedure and zero tolerance for corruption on the part of
next ten years. It goes without saying that with over 23 per the Ministry of Defence, there was no way that the deal could
cent increase in the size of the combat fleet and induction move forward without comprehensive investigation and bona
of a variety of other sophisticated fixed and rotary wing air- fides established. It is understood that after some hard bar-
craft, the IAF will need a substantial increase in the number gaining with assistance from the Hindustan Aeronautics Lim-
of pilots to exploit the operational potential of these assets. ited (HAL), the price quotation has been substantially reduced.
Unfortunately, pilot training is the area in which the IAF What is perhaps a more disconcerting problem, however,
will be in difficulty as there is a serious dichotomy in the is the lack of resolute action on the part of HAL to provide
implementation of the scheme for transformation of the IAF. solutions both in the short and long term. HAL was tasked
While the organisation is moving forward successfully in- to retrofit parachute recovery system on the HPT-32 to make
ducting sophisticated hardware, it has been without a basic safe recovery possible in the event of engine failure. Two
trainer since July 31, 2009, when following a series of ac- years have passed since authorisation of trials but there is no
cidents and in one in which two flying instructors lost their information forthcoming from HAL on the progress. Despite
lives; the basic trainer fleet of HPT-32 aircraft was grounded. efforts, the basic issue of engine failure in flight has also not
After a laborious tendering and evaluation exercise in ac- been resolved. The IAF sees no possibility of revival of the
cordance with the rather complex Defence Procurement Pro- HPT-32 fleet even as a short-term solution. Apart from the 75
cedure for the selection of a foreign vendor for direct purchase Pilatus PC-7 aircraft to be imported, HAL has been tasked to
of 75 basic trainer aircraft, the IAF finally zeroed in on Pilatus design and manufacture a trainer aircraft of similar capabil-
of Switzerland to supply its turboprop basic trainer, the PC-7. ity. Designated as the Hindustan Turbo Trainer 40, The HAL
Photograph: Pilatus Aircraft
Thereafter, it has taken nearly a year and a half since the field is to supply 106 of these to the IAF. However, three years
evaluation was completed by the IAF to finally obtain clear- have elapsed since the decision, but there has been no further
ance by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the pro- news on the progress of the project. The IAF has been hitting
posal valued at `1,800 crore. But the wait for the IAF is far dead ends frequently in its efforts to find a basic trainer.
from over as finalisation of contract and delivery of 75 aircraft In the final analysis, plans for the induction of sophisti-
may still be a few years away. It appears that basic training of cated and expensive aerial platforms are meaningless with-
pilots will continue to be adversely affected for some time to out the basic wherewithal to train pilots. SP
come. The very first roadblock in the tendering process was — Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

48
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CCS has accorded formal approval to a

BREAKING deal with Swiss firm Pilatus for 75 PC-7

SP’s An SP Guide Publication

News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.

www.spsaviation.net may • 2012

• Streamline Defence Procurement

Not mittens or scarves, but revolutionary fan blades. Our

For a fixed monthly fee, business aircraft passengers

First 41 ‘We seek to be a long-standing,

SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION – Army’s Wait to Replace Ageing

Civil Choppers Gets Longer

The Only Way Out

India in ICBM League

Indigenisation Mantra Cover Photo: About 20 Falcons are currently LastWord

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 1

PLUS... Publisher And Editor-in-Chief design & LAYOUT

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reserved. No part of this publication may be

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the editor-in-chief offers vote

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 3

Aviation Authority standards. Based at RAF Brize Norton,

4 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

Fuel-burn A new winglet design

Reduced concept for the 737 MAX

6 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

It’s Done, PC-7 Mk-II: data sheet

Take-off distance over 50 ft (15 m)

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 7

NAL to build a 90-seater

8 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

Army’s wait to replace ageing choppers gets longer

10 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

Agni-V does cover the gaping

ICBM League in the region, especially, from its

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 11

12 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 13

Air Marshal (Retd)

14 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

To learn more, visit falconjet.com/7X

factored in ICT on board, giving a competitive edge to the high-flying

keel, like the way mobiles did over years.

16 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

digital network (ISDN) on board a

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 17

Canada; Jet Aviation—all fa-

18 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

wards, President, Embraer Ex-

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 19

By Group Captain (Retd)

20 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

A Sampling of Regional Aircraft

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 21

22 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2012 www.spsaviation.net

Issue 5 • 2012 SP’S AVIATION 23

Bell Opens New Office

SP's Aviation 96052012

SP's Aviation 96052012

First 41 ‘We seek to be a long-standing,

SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION – Army’s Wait to Replace Ageing