STRENGTH OF " INDIAN AIR FORCE "
INDIAN AIR FORCE is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire.After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. With strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,300 aircraft, the Indian Air Force is the world's 4th largest in the world.
Monday, 3 February 2014
MIG-29 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
INDIAN MIG-29 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT |
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is the embodiment of a Russian military
aircraft. The interceptor and multirole fighter bomber MiG-29 uniquely combines
unbelievable maneuverability with great speed. The first MiG-29 airframes were
delivered to the Soviet airforce in 1983. The MiG-29 Fulcrum was exported to
numerous countries: Until today, more than 1'500 aircraft in various versions
of the air superiority fighter MiG-29 were built. After Germany's
reunification, a whole squadron of MiG-29 aircraft came into possession of the
German airforces. Western military advisors were astounded by the MiG's
performance after they analyzed its flight characteristics. No western fighter
could rival the MiG on a similarly high level. The flight characteristics were
only matched by modern aircraft like the Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon or the
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, thirty years later. The MiG-29's flat fuselage
contributes approximately 40% of the lift. This makes the MiG unbeatable,
especially at low speeds. The further development of the MiG-29 OWT with 3D
thrust vectoring amazes air show spectators with maneuvers that seem to defy
physics - distractions that intend to disorientate enemy pilots. The "MiG
Aircraft" was often used as an umbrella term for all Soviet-built
aircraft. So sometimes you can see aircraft from other manufacturers like
Suchoj being called a "MiG".The flight and maneuvering capabilities
at low speeds and/or at high angles of attack - essiential for close combat -
are unrivaled by the MiG's western counterparts. The MiG-29 has two
Klimow/Sarkisow RD-33 reheated turbofan engines, which each produce more thrust
with afterburner then any single equivalent western engine.
The MiG-29K is based on the 'basic' MiG-29K airframe, but is lighter in answer to the Indian Navy's requirements for the smallest possible dimensions to maximize use of space on the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov). The aircraft is based on the original MiG-29K airframe, but without the high-cost welded aluminum lithium fuel tanks and forward fuselage. The MiG-29K's fuel tanks are situated in the dorsal spine fairing and wing leading-edge root extensions. This reportedly gives the aircraft a 50% increase over the land-based MiG-29. Flight range can also be increased by in-flight refueling capability. With a 25-year design life, the MiG-29K features a larger wing area, incorporating a longer chord double-slotted flap and drooped elevons over the 'basic' MiG-29K. The wing root has a sharp leading edge. In addition, the central fuselage integral tank and a fuselage load-carrying section, to which the arrester hook and main struts are attached, were considerably strengthened.The nose undercarriage is able to steer through +/- 90ยบ and houses a three-colour lamp which indicates the aircraft's position on the glide path, and its landing speed, to a visual landing signal officer. The arrester hook is also fitted with an illumination system to indicate when it is lowered. Reportedly the radar reflecting surface of the MiG-29K is 4 to 5 times smaller than that of the standard MiG-29. The aircraft will have an improved navigation equipment commensurate with its maritime role. For deck landing, the aircraft will be fitted with a special navigation system comprising instrument landing systems interacting with the ship's markers, jam-resistant coded data link and automated built-in test facilities. In the event of the pilot having to eject near the aircraft carrier, the escape system will ensure that he is ejected clear of the ship. The export 'MiG-29K' will feature a triplex digital fly-by-wire control system, with multiple-redundancy in all three channels and a mechanical back-up in roll-and-yaw channels. A proven control algorithm used in the analog-digital flight control system on the basic 'MiG-29K' will be retained.
The dual-seat 'KUB' trainer has nearly identical (90% commonality) aerodynamic characteristics to the single-seat, export 'MiG-29K' fighter and has the same wing and tail plane platform geometry. To further ease transition from the trainer to the fighter, even the forward nose sections are identical. They are equipped with similar avionics and can carry the same armament (nearly 100% commonality). The trainer variant differs from the fighter variant only in having an additional fuel tank occupying the rear-seat cockpit. Both aircraft have an in-flight refueling capability, having a retractable refueling probe in the port forward fuselage, and may also be used as tankers. With the take-off and landing weights identical to the fighter, the trainer has 8% less fuel capacity and a 7% to 10% shorter combat radius. In addition to carrying out its main training role, the trainer has a fully operational capability. Indeed, the two man crew could open up additional roles such as airborne early warning or electronic warfare. In its combat role, the second pilot will act as a weapons systems operator.These aircraft will be capable of day/night, all-weather, year-round operation in any climate, including tropics with ambient temperatures up to +35°C and air humidity up to 100%. The aircraft will be able to operate singly or in groups in the face of enemy fighter opposition and in an ECM environment, operating from CTOL carriers equipped with a ski jump or from shore bases. The take-off run on a carrier deck equipped with a bow ski jump is estimated as 125 - 195 meters (410 - 640 feet). With these aircraft operating in a salty sea environment, RSK MiG has adopted special corrosion protection measures for the airframe, avionics equipment and the RD-33MK turbofans. Radar-absorbing material (RAM) coatings will reduce the fighter's RCS by a factor of 4 to 5 as compared to the 'basic' MiG-29. Both variants feature a fully retractable L-shaped IFR probe on the port side of the nose in line with the cockpit windshield. Both variants have had their forward air intake blocker doors and spring-loaded dorsal doors - for FOD prevention - installed further downstream. This frees up internal space inside the LERXes, allowing it to be used for additional fuel.
The MiG-29K is based on the 'basic' MiG-29K airframe, but is lighter in answer to the Indian Navy's requirements for the smallest possible dimensions to maximize use of space on the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov). The aircraft is based on the original MiG-29K airframe, but without the high-cost welded aluminum lithium fuel tanks and forward fuselage. The MiG-29K's fuel tanks are situated in the dorsal spine fairing and wing leading-edge root extensions. This reportedly gives the aircraft a 50% increase over the land-based MiG-29. Flight range can also be increased by in-flight refueling capability. With a 25-year design life, the MiG-29K features a larger wing area, incorporating a longer chord double-slotted flap and drooped elevons over the 'basic' MiG-29K. The wing root has a sharp leading edge. In addition, the central fuselage integral tank and a fuselage load-carrying section, to which the arrester hook and main struts are attached, were considerably strengthened.The nose undercarriage is able to steer through +/- 90ยบ and houses a three-colour lamp which indicates the aircraft's position on the glide path, and its landing speed, to a visual landing signal officer. The arrester hook is also fitted with an illumination system to indicate when it is lowered. Reportedly the radar reflecting surface of the MiG-29K is 4 to 5 times smaller than that of the standard MiG-29. The aircraft will have an improved navigation equipment commensurate with its maritime role. For deck landing, the aircraft will be fitted with a special navigation system comprising instrument landing systems interacting with the ship's markers, jam-resistant coded data link and automated built-in test facilities. In the event of the pilot having to eject near the aircraft carrier, the escape system will ensure that he is ejected clear of the ship. The export 'MiG-29K' will feature a triplex digital fly-by-wire control system, with multiple-redundancy in all three channels and a mechanical back-up in roll-and-yaw channels. A proven control algorithm used in the analog-digital flight control system on the basic 'MiG-29K' will be retained.
The dual-seat 'KUB' trainer has nearly identical (90% commonality) aerodynamic characteristics to the single-seat, export 'MiG-29K' fighter and has the same wing and tail plane platform geometry. To further ease transition from the trainer to the fighter, even the forward nose sections are identical. They are equipped with similar avionics and can carry the same armament (nearly 100% commonality). The trainer variant differs from the fighter variant only in having an additional fuel tank occupying the rear-seat cockpit. Both aircraft have an in-flight refueling capability, having a retractable refueling probe in the port forward fuselage, and may also be used as tankers. With the take-off and landing weights identical to the fighter, the trainer has 8% less fuel capacity and a 7% to 10% shorter combat radius. In addition to carrying out its main training role, the trainer has a fully operational capability. Indeed, the two man crew could open up additional roles such as airborne early warning or electronic warfare. In its combat role, the second pilot will act as a weapons systems operator.These aircraft will be capable of day/night, all-weather, year-round operation in any climate, including tropics with ambient temperatures up to +35°C and air humidity up to 100%. The aircraft will be able to operate singly or in groups in the face of enemy fighter opposition and in an ECM environment, operating from CTOL carriers equipped with a ski jump or from shore bases. The take-off run on a carrier deck equipped with a bow ski jump is estimated as 125 - 195 meters (410 - 640 feet). With these aircraft operating in a salty sea environment, RSK MiG has adopted special corrosion protection measures for the airframe, avionics equipment and the RD-33MK turbofans. Radar-absorbing material (RAM) coatings will reduce the fighter's RCS by a factor of 4 to 5 as compared to the 'basic' MiG-29. Both variants feature a fully retractable L-shaped IFR probe on the port side of the nose in line with the cockpit windshield. Both variants have had their forward air intake blocker doors and spring-loaded dorsal doors - for FOD prevention - installed further downstream. This frees up internal space inside the LERXes, allowing it to be used for additional fuel.
AVIONICS AND WEAPONS :-
This avionics architecture is unique among today's fighters, rendering the aircraft extremely adaptable and upgradeable. An integrated weapon selection panel, the MiG-29K can use a wide range of weapons, which includes no less than eight types of air-to-air missiles and 25 air-to-surface weapons. The aircraft features eight under wing, weapons hardpoints plus a centerline hardpoint which can likewise be used for carrying bombs. The two inboard pylons under each wing can be fitted with tandem bomb racks, which effectively increases the number of hardpoints to thirteen. The weapon selection system enables the pilot to fire more than one type of weapon per attack. The aircraft is fitted with a 30mm Gryazev/Shipunov GSh-301 (TKB-687/9A4071K) single barrel gun, with 150 AO-18 rounds.In the air superiority role, the aircraft can be armed with the close-combat R-73E and the beyond-visual-range R-77RVV-AE air-to-air missiles. In the sea-denial role, the AS-20 and the Kh-31A anti-ship missiles can be carried. In the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) role, the passive radar homing Kh-31P missile can be carried. Pinpoint strikes against ground targets are made possible by the Kh-29T TV-guided missile and the KAB-500KR TV-guided HE bomb or the KAB-500OD fuel-air bomb. The unguided weapons to be used include ordinary & cluster bombs of up to 500 kg (1102 lb) calibre (up to eleven FAB-500 HE bombs can be carried) and 240mm S-24B heavy unguided rockets.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
MIG-21 BISON FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
HISTORY OF MIG-21 BISON AND HER SERVICE TO INDIAN AIR FORCE :-
The MiG-21Bis aircraft is a front-line (tactical) interceptor fighter powered by one turbojet engine. It is fitted with instruments and electronic equipment ensuring flights by day and at night under fair and bad weather conditions. The aircraft is an all-metal, cantilever mid-wing monopl ane featuring a delta wing, swept-back tail unit and controllable stabilizer. The MiG-21 BISON (Mikoyan-Guryevich) operated, per Soviet doctrine, under close ground control in Vietnam, and its preferred tactic was to follow a formation of American aircraft low and from the rear. It would gather "smash" (speed and energy) and pop up to fire its Atoll heat-seeking missile, then turn to dive away to the sanctuary of its base. These tactics were considered successful if they did nothing more than force the American strike force to jettison its bombs prematurely.The MiGs were maneuverable in turning flight, although in a sustained turn they lost speed rapidly. Their biggest disadvantage was limited visibility to the rear, and many a MiG fell prey to a Phantom that sneaked up on it from the rear quarter.The basic Mikoyan-Guryevich MiG-21 was very adaptable, and it appeared in many variants equipped with a wide variety of armament and suitable for many missions, including reconnaissance and ground attack. It was built under license in Czechoslovakia, India, and China, and served in the latter country as a tool to teach the Chinese the art of modern aircraft manufacture.As with most Soviet aircraft, the MiG-21 was sophisticated where it had to be, and rough, even primitive, where it did not matter aerodynamically. In many ways, the MiG-21 epitomizes the earnest, effective Soviet approach to combat aircraft design. It is designed as an all-weather interceptor, the Mikoyan-Guryevich MiG-21 was the first delta-wing aircraft to emerge from the MiG design bureau. It was small, fast, and quite maneuverable at certain altitudes, and it proved such a challenge for the F-4s that the United States at last adopted a "dissimilar aircraft" training program.
During the war the MiG-21s played a crucial role in giving
the IAF air superiority that played a huge part in India’s victory. Military
analyst Edward Coggins writes in Wings That Stay On: The Role of Fighter
Aircraft in War that by the time the hostilities came to an end, the IAF
MiG-21s had claimed four PAF F-104s, two PAF F6, one PAF North American F-86
Sabre and one PAF Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The Russian fighter had clearly won
the much anticipated air combat between the MiG-21 and the F-104, he writes.But
that’s not where the story ends. Tom Cooper writes in Arab MiG-19 and MiG-21
Units in Combat: “Because of the formidable performance of the MiG-21s several
nations, including Iraq, approached India for MiG-21 pilot training. By the
early 1970s, more than 120 Iraqi pilots were being trained by the Indian Air
Force.”
The MiG-21s formed the backbone of the IAF in the 1960s and
’70s. But the situation changed with the arrival of newer aircraft, which drew
the most experienced pilots from the MiG-21 squadrons. There was nothing wrong
with it because that’s how the system is supposed to work. But the MiG-21 now
became the jet that rookie pilots graduated to. In tandem with another factor,
it spelled trouble for the IAF.
Kargil was another theatre where the MiG-21 showed it was
still a threat. The Pakistan Air Force’s director of operations during the war
acknowledged afterward that the GPS-assisted high-altitude bombing by the
MiG-21, MiG-23BN and MiG-27 was a game changer. This is corroborated by
aviation historian and author Pushpindar Singh in Himalayan Eagles: “…targeting
pod imagery observed by IAF pilots in real time showed enemy troops abandoning
their positions at the very sound of approaching fighters.” More than half a
century after its first flight, the MiG-21 packs a lethal punch. At the Cope
India exercise held in 2004 at Gwalior, Indian pilots flying MiG-21 Bisons
(upgraded with Russian Phazatron radar, Vympel R-73 missiles and the beyond
visual range Vympel R-77 air-to-air missiles) blew away the F-15 and the F-16
fighters of the USAF on one-on-one as well as in mixed exercises. The USAF
acknowledged the MiG-21 Bisons and Su-30MKIs were tough opponents.
The Indian Air Force's love affair with the MiG-21 spans
nearly forty years. The first MiG-21s, the early F-13s, also known as Type 74s
arrived in October 1963 equipping the newly raised ' First Supersonics' – No.28
Squadron. About six of them were acquired and were joined by another six MiG-21PFs
(Type 76)s in 1965. The conversion was quite slow and the MiGs hardly had any
time to show their effect in the 1965, Operations.After the end of the 65 War,
reequipping of IAF squadrons was done on a war footing . HAL started the
manufacturing process of the FLs and by 1971, No less than Nine and a half
Squadrons were flying the MiG-21FL (Type 77) at one point of time (1972). It is
estimated that the IAF acquired nearly 250 Type 77s over a period of time. The
aircraft distinguished itself in the 71 Operations -- Particularly in Air
Combat against the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Claims for four F-104
Starfighters, One Shenyang F-6 (Chinese copy of the MiG-19) and one Canadair
F-86 Sabre were made and a host of aircraft on the ground were claimed in Counter
Air Strike raids on Pakistani airbases. Six MiG-21s were lost in combat due to
various reasons out of which only one was lost in Air to Air Combat - to a F-86
Sabre on the last day of the war.There were several issues about the FL that
were a source of concern for the IAF. The main grouse was the lack of an
integral cannon in the aircraft. The FL had only two wingstations and if they
were not used for carrying Fuel, then the central weapon station has to be used
to carry a fuel tank - which meant that the Cannon pod could not be carried.
This deficiency was overcome in 1974 when the IAF chose the R-13 powered
MiG-21M (Type 96), which succeeded the production line at HAL after the FLs
were stopped manufacturing. To cover up for the commencement of production,
about two squadrons worth of the MiG-21MF were procured. Approximately another
220 M/MFs were procured/manufactured for the IAF and this was to be the
mainstay of the force till the late 70s. In 1980, the first unit converted to
the MiG-21 Bis, a type of which nearly 300 were to be procured in total.
The indigenously developed LCA TEJAS will be replaced in place mig-21
bison after retirement from the service..!
Thursday, 30 January 2014
SUKHOI 30 MKI FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY OF SUKHOI 30 MKI :-
Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter aircraft jointly
developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau of
russia and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of india for the Indian Air
Force (IAF). Based on the Su-30 fighter aircraft, Su-30MKI is equipped with
thrust vectoring control and canards. The development of the Su-30MKI for the
IAF began in 1995. Sukhoi and Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (now
known as Irkut Corporation) were initially responsible for the development and
production of the aircraft respectively. Sukhoi built two prototypes of the Su-30MKI between
1995 and 1998. The first prototype, Su-30I-1, made its first flight in July
1997. Production began at the Irkutsk plant in 2000. The first pre-production
aircraft completed its maiden flight in November 2000. India signed a MoU with Russia
in October 2000, to start the license production of Su-30MKIs at HAL's plant
AVIONICS AND DESIGNING OF SU-30MKI :-
SUKHOI 30MKI aircraft incorporates an aerodynamic airframe
made of titanium and high intensity aluminium alloys. The twin stabilisers and
horizontal tail consoles are joined to tail beams. The semi-monocoque fuselage
head includes the cockpit, radar sections and the avionics bay. The section
between the engine nacelles houses the equipment bay, fuel storage and the
brake parachute mechanism. The aircraft has a length of 21.9m, wingspan of
14.7m and a height of 6.4m. The maximum take-off weight of Su-30MKI is
38,800kg.The tandem glass cockpit of the Su-30MKI accommodates two pilots. The
forward cockpit is equipped with an integrated avionics suite incorporating
Elbit Su 967 head-up display (HUD), seven active-matrix liquid crystal displays
(AMLCD) and primary cockpit instrumentation from Thales. The HAL-built aircraft
are equipped with multifunction displays (MFD) supplied by Samtel Display
Systems.The aircraft integrates a fly by wire (FBW) flight control system. A
large monochromatic display screen installed in the rear cockpit provides
air-to-ground missile guidance. The Su-30MKI is also equipped with a N011M
passive electronically scanned array radar, OLS-30 laser-optical locator system
and Litening target designation pod to guide air-to-surface missile and laser
guided munitions.
INTEGRATED WEAPON SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES :-
Air superiority fighter aircraft Su-30MKI is armed with a
30mm Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds of ammunition. The aircraft features 12
hardpoints capable of carrying external stores of up to 8t. The aircraft can
launch a range of air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-29L/T/TYe, Kh-31A/P,
Kh-59M and Nirbhay.The Su-30MKI fleet of IAF will be fitted with air-launched
version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The BrahMos can strike targets
within the range of 290km.The aircraft can also carry Vympel-built R-27R, R-73
and R-77 air-to-air missiles, as well as rocket pods, KAB-500 and KAB-1500
laser-guided bombs.The Su-30MKI is fitted with a tarang radar warning receiver
(RWR) indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). The aircraft also integrates chaff / flare dispensers and
active jammers.
ENGINE OF SU 30 MKI :-
Air dominance Su-30MKI is powered by two Al-31FP turbojet
engines. Each engine generates a full afterburn thrust of 12,500kgf. The power
plant, equipped with thrust vector control, provides a maximum speed of Mach
1.9 in horizontal flight and a rate of climb of 300m/s. it has a maximum
unrefuelled flight range of 3,000km. The in-flight refuelling system of
Su-30MKI provides a maximum range of 8,000km with two air to air refuellings.
RADAR SYSTEM :-
Forward-facing NIIP N011M Bars (Panther) is a powerful
integrated passive electronically scanned array radar. The N011M is a digital
multi-mode dual frequency band radar. The N011M can function in air-to-air and
air-to-land/sea mode simultaneously while being tied into a high-precision
laser-inertial or GPS navigation system. It is equipped with a modern digital
weapons control system as well as anti-jamming features. N011M has a 400 km
search range and a maximum 200 km tracking range, and 60 km in the rear
hemisphere. The radar can track 15 air targets and engage 4 simultaneously. These
targets can even include cruise missiles and motionless helicopters. The
Su-30MKI can function as a mini-AWACS as a director or command post for other
aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to at least
four other aircraft. The radar can detect ground targets such as tanks at 40–50
kmThe Bars radar will be replaced by Zhuk-AESA in all Su-30MKI aircraft.
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