SP's Aviation April 2010

Aviation
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APRIL • 2010
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AW101 VVIP HELICOPTER DEAL IS CLOSED
On Way to • Top End Jets
India
• Defence Budget
Analysis
RNI NUMBER: DELENG/2008/24199
• Vayu Shakti
• CFMI
Eric Bachelet:
Interview
• New Feature: First
PAGE 16
B E T W E E N MULT I - N AT I O N A N D M ULT I - M I S S I O N,
T H E R E I S O N E IM P O R TA N T W O R D : H O W.
The C-130J delivers multi-mission capability to the most remote and demanding places on earth. Ready to
serve nations of the world. Delivering mission-critical cargo virtually anywhere is all a question of how.
And it is the how that makes all the difference.
Aviation
SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION
TABLE of CONTENTS News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.
ISSUE 4 • 2010
40 OEM
‘The Company has Reinforced Its
Commitments Towards India’
ANALYSIS
25 Budget
We need to Spend More
Efficiently
SPECIAL REPORT
27 Industry
Present Future Perfect
SHOW REPORT
34 India Aviation
Air Show Extravaganza
16 Spacious cabin of AW101 recently

finalised by Indian Air Force 39
INDUSTRY
Training
Hands on Training
First
Spotlight 43
HALL OF FAME
8 Jetpack Paved Gustave Whitehead
12 Unmanned Cargo
COMFORTABLE
REGULAR DEPARTMENTS
&
MILITARY
SECURE 4 A Word from Editor
14 Operations AgustaWestland has
6 NewsWithViews
In Myriad Roles closed a deal with Indian
Air Force for supply of - Water on Moon: Chandrayaan-I
32 Operations 12 AW101 helicopters for Confirms
VVIP travel - Three Paramount Aircraft
Power Play
Grounded
41 •
Industry 9 InFocus
Indigenous Tech
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Safety, First
18
SP's Aviation 04 of 10 Cover.indd 1 4/23/10 7:20:00 PM
Business Aviation
Cover Photo:
Flying High, Flying Fast An artist’s impression of AgustaWestland
AW101 in IAF colours. NEXT ISSUE:
20 Business Aviation
Cabin Comforts for Corporate Travellers
Comfy Ride Photo Credit: AgustaWestland
Issue 4 • 2010 SP’S AVIATION 1

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A Word from Editor
India has been extremely
accommodating in the
demands of Russia that have
been construed back home as
somewhat skewed and unjust.
Experts have been wondering
whether it is prudent on
India’s part to put all its eggs
in the Russian basket.
D
uring the Cold War, India was perceived to ing hub of US aeronautical company Lockheed Martin (see
be close to the Soviet Union. This proximity, Present Future Perfect: Page 27). The company, now en-
needless to say, had a lot to do with defence gaged in the manufacture of the C-130J aircraft for India as
cooperation. Deals were on a government-to- a part of the $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) contract with IAF,
government basis, and defence equipment is now also eyeing the Indian defence market for the supply
came into India courtesy soft loans and easy of F-16IN Super Viper fighter aircraft. Singh during a recent
non-convertible rupee payments. After the collapse of the visit to the Atlanta manufacturing unit of the world’s larg-
Soviet Union, the defence industry in Russia found itself al- est defence contractor took a closer look at the first C-130J
most on the brink of collapse. The Indo-Russian relation- aircraft tailormade for India.
ship, however, did not totter. The cooperation between the This issue also introduces a new feature, First. One is
two countries remained uninterrupted, but the Russians are about the Boeing A160T demonstrating the unmanned ro-
becoming increasingly hardnosed in their bargaining (see torcraft’s ability to resupply frontline troops in rough ter-
Relook Needed: Page 10). India has, till now, been seen as rain (see Unmanned Cargo: Page12). The other is about the
extremely accommodating in the demands of Russia that newsbreak that the world’s first commercially available jet-
have been construed back home as somewhat skewed and packs will soon hit the market (see Jetpack paved: Page 8).
unjust. Experts have been wondering whether it is prudent Hopefully, this will generate more interest among our valu-
on India’s part to put all its eggs in the Russian basket. able readers.
Traditionally, we haven’t seen too many defence deals
with European governments or companies. It is in this
light that we can see the deal that Anglo-Italian major
AgustaWestland struck with the Indian Air Force in March
this year (see Comfortable and secure: Page 16). The deal
was for the procurement of AW101 helicopters that will en-
sure a comfortable and secure travel for VVIPs across the
country. Many years ago the company had identified India
as one of its potential markets for expansion. The strategy
seems to have paid off after the long wait. The deal gives Eu-
ropean countries enough reason to feel bullish over India.
Shortly before this agreement was inked, Pokharan host-
ed a spectacular display of firepower demonstration (see
Power Play: Page 32) during Vayu Shakti-2010. The exercise
by over 100 aircraft was also meant to serve as an aid for
commanders and planners to gain better insight into the
potential and deployment capabilities of aerial weapons. But
as the IAF blasted away targets in this representative battle-
field area, did it send out any signal? The Defence Minister
categorically said that this was meant only to assure the na-
tion that it was in safe hands. Jayant Baranwal
Included in this issue is a first-hand account of our pho- Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
tojournalist Abhishek Singh’s report from the manufactur-

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 .
NewsWithViews
WATER ON MOON: CHANDRAYAAN-I CONFIRMS

During the 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Congress organised by the Houston-based Lunar and Planetary Institute, it was announced that vast
quantities of water and ice was found on the lunar surface. The findings were not confined to the polar regions alone, but also included the moon’s
equatorial regions. The discovery was made by a NASA payload on board Chandrayaan-1 called Mini-SAR _Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar, a
light-weight instrument weighing a mere 10 kg. The radar found more than 40 craters with water ice, and the size of the craters ranged between
two to 15 kilometres in diameter.
VIEWS
F
irst vapour, then water molecules and now ice. Though of moon was not much. But what the mini-synthetic aperture
the Indian mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1, did radar on board Chandrayaan-1 has found in the lunar craters
not complete its two-year planned stay in the lunar on the dark side of the moon is truly astounding; a finding that
orbit, it seems to have collected enough data to keep indicates the presence of as much as 600 million metric tonnes
the scientific community excited and busy for many years to of water on the moon’s north pole. According to G. Madhavan
come. The first data from one of its payloads—Moon Miner- Nair, Space scientist and former chairman, ISRO, who was at
alogy Mapper or M3—gave the helm of affairs throughout
molecular clues about possible Chandrayaan-1’s journey, the
existence of water on the moon. finding is path-breaking.
Now the data sent by another The next logical step to es-
payload—Mini-SAR—and anal- tablish the presence of large
ysed thoroughly by a joint team deposits of water would be to
of Indian and the US scientists get to the exact spot. According
has provided evidence about to Nair, ISRO’s planned lander
the presence of large deposits under Chandrayaan-2 which is
of water ice in the permanently scheduled for a launch in 2012,
shaded areas in its North Pole. could be taken to that region.
The announcement was made This time around the probes
on March 1, 2010 and later could go further beneath the
confirmed by the Director of surface with appropriate in-
the Ahmedabad-based Physi- struments than what was man-
cal Research Laboratory J.N. aged by Mini-SAR. Getting to
Goswami. “This is definitely the right spots and examining
an important discovery. It took the areas of interest from deep
us five months to evaluate the under the surface, both in the
findings since we had to con- polar as well as equatorial re-
vince the scientific community,” gions, could well change the
he said. Goswami is the princi- ways of thinking about moon.
pal scientific investigator of the The discovery of water
Chandrayaan-1 mission. ice anywhere on the moon is
It may be recalled that the important as it can serve as
unmanned Chandrayaan-1, the a natural resource for astro-
spacecraft launched by Indian nauts on future lunar land-
Space Research Organisation ing missions. The ice could
(ISRO) on October 22, 2008, be melted into drinking water
was the first such space mission or be separated into compo-
for India. Staying within an as- nents of oxygen and hydrogen
toundingly low mission cost of to provide breathing air and
around Rs 465 crore ($100 million), the Indian programme rocket fuel for launching inter-planetary missions from the
thoroughly surprised the world space community which was moon. The results certainly open new vistas towards estab-
used to a billion dollar plus costs for such missions. It made up lishing human colonies on the moon. Couple it with other
with an array of new findings in only 312 days in space. ongoing space endeavours such as the creation of space esca-
Among the many accomplishments of Chandrayaan-1, its lators, and rare and precious metals, one can gauge the im-
ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA
biggest discovery was to find hydroxyl and water molecules mense possibilities that can open up for mankind. One thing
on the lunar surface which acted as a catalyst for the US lunar is for sure that Chandrayaan-1 has also silenced the critics
probes, such as NASA spacecrafts Cassini and Deep Impact, questioning, “Why should India send a probe to the moon, we
which had further corroborated the Chandrayaan-1-mounted know everything about the moon.” SP
initial M3 find. However, the water found by M3 in the lit areas —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

NewsWithViews
THREE PARAMOUNT AIRCRAFT GROUNDED

Paramount Airways said on March 19 that three of its aircraft have been grounded at Chennai airport, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed
the Air Traffic Control at Chennai airport not to allow the aircraft to take off. The airline made arrangements with other airlines to accommodate the passengers booked
on cancelled Paramount flights. The spokesman stressed that there was no court order in this regard but only a DGCA notification. Delhi High Court dismissed the
petition by Paramount against DGCA’s notification for de-registering the three aircraft. The airline is expected to go on appeal against this. The DGCA had de-registered
three 72-75 seater Embraer planes of Paramount Airways in relation to a lease payment dispute with GE Capital Aviation Services Ltd and Celestial Aviation Trading.
VIEWS
C
hennai based Paramount Airways which was launched two days later, the finances of the airline had taken a hit.
four and a half years ago, operates 72 flights daily to However, the issue of default on contractual obligations
cover 16 destinations across the nation. It has on its with GECAS continued to remain unresolved. While Para-
inventory five Embraer regional jets and has been pro- mount Airways was contemplating filing claim for compen-
viding full business class travel at a cost only marginally higher sation against GECAS for loss suffered on account of disrup-
than economy class available on the Indian low cost carriers. tion of flights during the end of last year, the case came up
The business model of the air- for final hearing in the middle
line is unique and is tailored to of March 2010. Ending the six
meet the needs of specifically month old legal impasse, the
the business traveller. Though Delhi HC refused to extend the
operating as a Regional Car- stay granted in December 2009
rier, the airline has aspirations on the order by DGCA to dereg-
for a national footprint in not ister the three aircraft in ques-
too distant a future. tion. A day earlier, the Madras
In September 2009, the HC had also dismissed the peti-
UK based GE Capital Aviation tion by Paramount Airways not
Services (GECAS) and Celestial giving cognizance to the order
Aviation Trading from whom of the HC in London that had
three aircraft have been leased, directed the carrier to remit
charged the airline with default $10 million (Rs 45 crore) to the
in lease payments. The quan- Lessor by March 10. The DGCA
tum of dues as reported varies issued fresh orders on March
between $215,540 (Rs 97 lakh) 18 to deregister the three air-
and $10 million (Rs 45 crore), craft. However, in deference to
the precise figure remains un- the principles of natural justice,
clear. This is the second time the Delhi HC directed the DGCA
GECAS has acted in this man- to give a hearing to Paramount
ner, the first was in 2009 against Airways on March 29 and pass
another full service Indian car- an order within two weeks.
rier for a similar default. Unable to reconcile with the
In response to the complaint situation, Paramount Airways
by GECAS, the DGCA issued an approached the Supreme Court
order dated December 4, 2009 (SC). In an interim order, the
to deregister three aircraft of SC also denied them relief. The
Paramount Airways bearing government also did not get in-
Tail Numbers VT-PAE, VT-PAD volved in it. In their view, it was
and VT-PAF. Apparently, this a matter between the airlines
was because of an ongoing dis- and the leasing company.
pute between the parties concerned and according to the MD While the episode will undoubtedly reinforce the credibil-
& CEO of Paramount Airways, M Thiagarajan; the airline had ity abroad of the Indian legal system, it is symbolic of the
filed a case in the High Court (HC) in London in which it had fragile nature of the private airline industry in India. Given
received a verdict in its favour. The airline also claims to have the perpetual struggle to survive in a hostile market, crushing
made a deposit of $15 million (Rs 68 crore) with GECAS. burden of mounting losses, fierce competition, inconsiderate
ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA
In December 2009, while disposing of the appeal by Par- financiers and a tedious policy framework, it is time for the
amount Airways, the Delhi High Court provided temporary government to consider extending a helping hand for airlines
relief to the petitioner and issued a stay order directing the in the private sector too, lest they are overwhelmed by the
DGCA “to set aside the deregistration and re-register the three cruel business environment and perish one by one. SP
aircraft”. Although the airline resumed normal operations —Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

Jetpack
First
Deal closed to
F
manufacture world’s
first commercially
available jetpack,
to be used by police
PAVED
and military in
disaster hit areas
T
he world’s first commercially available jetpacks
will soon be in the market. The Martin Aircraft
Company has finally closed a $12 million (Rs 5.34
crore) joint venture (JV) deal to start production
of the world’s first commercially available jetpack.
This was announced by Richard Lauder, Chief Executive,
Martin Aircraft Company recently. Lauder said the JV would
build Martin Jetpacks at an overseas factory, with the aim of
making 500 units and generating an annual turnover of $100
million (Rs 450 crore) within three years. However, company
officials declined to divulge the partner’s name.
The Christchurch-based company has been develop-
ing the jetpack for more than a decade and was struggling
to find New Zealand funding for commercial production.
Lauder said, “For us, this is an excellent commercial step.
We have somebody who is willing to put $12 million (Rs 54
crore) on the table because they believe that there is a size-
able market in their country.”
The jetpacks would be sold to emergency response organi-
sations such as police and military, which would enable them
to provide relief in disaster-hit areas. “It was unlikely to have
a direct military application, but could be used in a troop-sup-
port role. This could be life-saving stuff,” said Lauder.
The aircraft company would have a 51 per cent stake
and both Lauder and jetpack inventor Glenn Martin would
be Directors of the new company. The new backer would
invest $12 million (Rs 54 crore) to set up jetpack production,
while Martin Aircraft Company would provide technical
knowhow and the licence to manufacture Martin Jetpacks
in the country.
According to company sources, Martin Aircraft Company
would retain the international patent. About 20 per cent of
jetpack’s components will still be produced in Christchurch
for Martin Aircraft Company. The company will derive in-
come from selling parts to the JV. “The joint venture will give
us a lifeline,” said Lauder. SP
—SP’s Aviation News Desk
PHOTOGRAPHS: MARTINJETPACK
E-mail your comments to:

letters@spsaviation.net
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www.spsaviation.net

DIPLOMACY
InFocus
Is all well?
tiations over the price of
the aircraft carrier, Ad-
miral Gorshkov (INS Vi-
kramaditya) was finally
resolved with India
agreeing to pay $2.33
billion (Rs 12,000 crore)
T
instead of the original
he Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s recent $974 million (Rs 4,500
visit to India—the fifth in a decade, may not have crore) that had been
concluded with the joyful raising of toasts, but the agreed upon in 2004.
fact that the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has India also signed a
not only withstood the test of time but also remains firmly deal worth $1.6 billion
cemented, was evident. (Rs 8,000 crore) to
Nurtured carefully over several decades, the 1971 Indo- buy 29 MiG-29K and
Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation came to MiG-29KUB fighters,
a straining point of break-up with the collapse of the Soviet During Putin’s over and above the
Union in 1991. The drift in the relationship was finally halted 16 already purchased
in 2000 with the replacement of President Boris Yeltsin by recent visit along with the INS Vi-
Putin which brought to the helm of affairs in Russia a new to India, kramaditya order. The
leadership that understood the strategic importance of an
Indo-Russian relationship. Russia was aware that unlike the
some major additional fighters will
operate from the in-
West, India had not tried to humiliate Russia when it was agreements digenous aircraft car-
weak. Putin not only revived the sagging relationship, but
also provided further impetus in the new millennium. Even
were signed rier that is being built
in India’s Cochin Ship-
though the heady days of cheap credit are over, oil flows and milestones yard. But the nearly
have stopped, and the rouble-rupee trade discontinued, both reached. Based $4 billion (Rs 20,000
countries have once again begun to understand the relevance crore) deals were not
of their respective national priorities. In today’s complex and on their mutual the end for the Indian
labile geo-political situation, both countries have wisely di- strategic Navy. A deal was also
versified their foreign policy options and have not diluted the quietly signed for a 10-
mutual trust and confidence built up over decades. congruence, India year lease of the K-152
The strategic partnership between Russia and India is based and Russia have Nerpa submarine dur-
on collaboration in the areas of defence, space, nuclear energy,
and hydrocarbons. Though apparently biased in favour of Rus-
extended their ing Putin’s visit. The
Akula-II class nuclear
sia in respect of bilateral trade, in reality the partnership is ben- decade old “long- submarine is likely to
eficial for India as it would help develop self-reliance in high-end
dual-use technologies. Strategic bonds between the two nations
term military be in Indian waters by
the year end. Though
are strongest in the regime of defence-related hardware. Indian and technical not armed with its
assistance to the fund-starved Russian defence industry in the agreement” for long-range nuclear
mid-1990s by way of massive procurement of hardware for the tipped missiles, it will
three wings of its armed forces, be it Su-30MKI air dominance another ten years help the Indian Navy
fighters, T-90 tanks or naval vessels, is not lost on the Russian learn the nuances of
top leaders. India has been picking up as much as 25-30 per operating nuclear sub-
cent of Russia’s exports of defence related equipment. This has marines. This will be
inspired Russia to offer to India the latest technology which is useful when India’s own nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, be-
not available from the West, which includes even the futuristic comes operational by 2011-2012.
fifth generation fighters and nuclear submarines. But does this mean the Indian defence planners can raise a
During Putin’s March 2010 visit to India, some major agree- toast and say “All is Well” with Indo-Russian defence relation-
ments were signed and milestones reached. Based on their ship? That all is certainly not well is evident from the fact that
mutual strategic congruence, India and Russia have extended contrary to earlier expectations of the two countries signing
their decade-old “long-term military and technical agreement” agreements for joint development of the fifth generation fighter
for another ten years i.e. from 2011 to 2020. In the field of aircraft and a medium multi-role transport aircraft, could not
nuclear power generation, Moscow and New Delhi signed two be inked during Putin’s visit due to hard-nosed bargaining, es-
documents; ‘A broad agreement on cooperation in the use of pecially from the Russian side. This raises some pertinent ques-
atomic energy for peaceful purposes’ and ‘A specific roadmap tions—did Putin’s visit to India highlight the one-way character
ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA
for the serial construction of Russian designed nuclear power of the Russia-India relationship? Does Russia look at India only
plants in India’. As part of this agreement, Russia will add four as a subordinate partner? Is Russia indulging in arm-twisting
reactors to the existing two at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and tactics in defence deals? Turn to Forum for opinions and an
develop another reactor site at Haripur in West Bengal. indepth analysis. SP
In the defence arena, the two year old vexed issue of nego- —By Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

DIPLOMACY
RELOOK Needed
Forum
STRENGTHENING
TIES: RUSSIAN
PM VLADIMIR
PUTIN WITH PM
MANMOHAN SINGH
A close examination at the Indo-Russian partnership reveals

that while the special relationship in defence cooperation still
exists between the two countries, India no longer enjoys the
earlier advantage of soft loans and easy NCR payments
I
ndia was the mainstay of The Soviet Union’s post Denied access to modern military technology by the West fol-
World War II desire to foster closer relations with the lowing the Sino-Indian conflict, India turned to the Soviets who
then Third World countries. The relationship began welcomed the opportunity with open arms, offering the latest
with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit weapon systems and technologies on highly favourable terms.
to the Soviet Union in June 1955 and Soviet Premier For instance, the Soviet Union agreed to transfer the technical
Nikita Khrushchev’s return trip to India in the fall of knowhow to license-produce the MiG-21 jet fighters in India,
1955. The cordial relations were cemented into a state of per- which it had earlier denied to even China. The net result, after
petuity when Khrushchev, while in India, announced that the four-and- half decades of partnership is that a bulk of the in-
Soviet Union supported Indian sovereignty over the disputed ventory of the armed forces of India worth billions of dollars
territory of the Kashmir region and also the Portuguese coastal and defence production capability are of Russian origin.
enclaves. The Soviet Union went a step further by declaring The most outstanding features of the Indo-Soviet defence
its neutrality during the 1959 Sino-Indian border dispute and cooperation included near friendship prices for the defence
the Indo-China war of 1962. India received substantial eco- equipment, soft loans with very low interest rates, and easy
nomic and military assistance from the Soviet Union during non-convertible rupee (NCR) payments. All defence equip-
the Khrushchev period. ment was bought through government-to-government deals
In 1962, India suffered a debilitating military defeat and without tendering and while the equipment was demon-
humiliation at the hands of the Chinese, accentuating the need strated in the host countries, no trials were held in India
for a hitherto peaceloving and non-violent nation to build a prior to the final selection. This highly favourable arrange-
military machine capable of safeguarding its security interests. ment prompted India’s defence planners to move headlong
On account of multitudinous factors least understood by the into acquiring a variety of Soviet combat equipment. All
capitalist Western world—the stated policy of non-alignment three wings of the armed forces were flooded with offensive
seeking friendship with all and conflict with none; a demo- and defensive weapon systems. If the Indian Army had most
PHOTOGRAPH: PIB
cratic form of governance promoting socialism with a highly of its armour, guns and missiles of Soviet origin, the Indian
controlled economy—India was excluded from the coterie of Navy was afloat largely on the Soviet platforms—be it de-
the developed world that was in direct ideological, political stroyers, frigates, corvettes, and even missile boats. That is
and military confrontation with the communist Soviet Union. not all; its sub-surface fleets were also almost fully made up

DIPLOMACY
Forum
of Soviet submarines. The Indian Air Force (IAF) went one a great deal of patience and accommodating the somewhat
step further by acquiring the entire range of MiG fighters skewed and unjust demands, contrary to ethical conduct of
starting from MiG-21s and then moving on to MiG-23s, MiG- business in a free market scenario. The situation seems to be
25s, MiG-27s; all the way up to MiG-29s. In addition, Su-7 that while the Russians may have converted to free market
strike aircraft were also inducted in the late 1960s, which economy, they are still reluctant to embrace in totality the
lasted for almost two decades before their retirement. The business norms, such as competitive bidding and tendering,
IAF also acquired transport aircraft such as the IL-14, An- etc. They still prefer the government-to-government deals in
12, An-32, and Il-76 in large numbers. Even the rotary wing single-vendor scenarios, without having to prove their equip-
force predominantly consisted of the Soviet models such as ment in open-ended competitions. It must be stated that the
the Mi-4, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-25, and so on. The pic- Russian weapon systems have generally performed to the
ture was no different in the defencive equipment arena with standards claimed by the manufacturers and the services,
all surface-to-air missile systems and most of the radar sys- and especially the Army and the Navy have been quite satis-
tems comprising Soviet brands. fied with the Russian products. However, it is the IAF which
However, the longlasting Indo-Soviet defence matrimony has encountered difficulties in maintaining the inevitably
came crashing down with the collapse of the Soviet Union technology-intensive combat equipment, specifically, in the
in 1991. The disintegration of the Soviet empire was also a area of avionics. For instance, it is a well-known fact that the
turning point in the history of the Russian defence industry. Russian airborne interception radars such as the KOPYO ra-
The Russian economy was in complete disarray, and the de- dar fitted on upgraded MiG-21 Bison or NO10/11 multi-mode
fence production facilities were fragmented and scattered radar of Su-30 MKI, though highly capable, are not very reli-
in the different republics no longer tethered to Moscow. able resulting in substantially diminished serviceability states
The end of the Cold War also eroded the market for Rus- and flight-line availability of aircraft. In comparison, West-
sian weapons among the erstwhile Warsaw Pact countries, ern equipment such as the RDM multi-mode radar fitted on
pushing the Russian defence industry to the brink of col- Mirage 2000 score heavily due to their persistent reliability.
lapse. At this stage, it was India that rose to the occasion Viewed at the macro level, these differences would have a
inspite of all constraints to not only bailing out the Russian substantial impact—while calculating overall attributes of de-
defence industry by placing fresh orders for new equipment fence equipment —such as the life cycle costs, etc.
but also agreeing to the Russian demand of all transactions With newly found accessibility in the global arms market,
to be conducted in hard dollar currency. India even went a it is for Indian defence planners to decide whether to continue
step further to accommodate Russia’s somewhat unjust but to put all eggs in the Russian basket, or, more prudently, tap all
desperate demand of payment of even the ongoing loans the world players and select what is best for the Indian armed
from the NCR mode to dollar payment. The IAF selected the forces. The IAF’s MMRCA programme is a shining example
top-of-the-line combat aircraft from Sukhoi, the Su-30, a where combat jet fighters of six leading global manufactur-
developed version of the Su-27 platform. The version cus- ers (including the Russian MiG-35) are competing in, what is
tomised for the IAF was designated Su-30 MKI (‘I’ denoting touted by the Ministry of Defence, as a fair, transparent and
India). The Indian Army went ahead to acquire the T-90 S level playing field. It is hoped that the programme will be taken
tanks and the Navy ordered a multitude of surface and sub- to its logical conclusion and the IAF will get a state-of-the-art,
surface vessels to bolster up its fleets. “best value for money” combat aircraft to fulfill its operational
There can be little doubt that the mega deals of the 1990s requirements. Besides, it is hoped that the MMRCA deal will
with the trend continuing in the current millennium have not be one of its kind and the other projects on similar lines
played a key role in the survival of the Russian defence indus- would follow suit.
try. But the rules of the game have changed considerably from However, in the final analysis, India would have to strike
the Russian side and needs to be looked at afresh from India’s a fine balance keeping in view the requirements of the armed
point of view if it wants to achieve the goals of self-reliance in forces on one hand and geopolitical compulsions of a multi-
the defence industry and become a major power by creating polar world on the other. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
multi-layered geopolitical balances in a rapidly emerging poly- also remarked once that the nation should be able to derive
centric world. maximum possible geopolitical mileage from defence deals.
A hard relook at the Indo-Russian partnership reveals In such a scenario, India’s special defence and security re-
that while the special relationship in defence cooperation still lationship with Russia, and the fact that Russia is the only
exists between the two countries, India no longer enjoys the country which provides support to India in defence projects
earlier advantage of soft loans and easy NCR payments. Actu- where no other country ventures, would have to be given
ally, the business is conducted in a very different environment due cognizance. Russia’s joint venture for the fifth generation
of hard-nosed bargaining. Russians are still learning the nu- fighter aircraft (FGFA) and leasing of a nuclear submarine
ances of capitalist market economy. The arbitrary bargaining are classic examples of extraordinary defence cooperation
has on many occasions confounded and dismayed their In- between the two countries. Russia, on its part, would have to
dian counterparts. Russia’s insistence on almost doubling the treat India as an equal partner and not merely as a subordi-
rate of escalation in the Su-3o MKI deal in a contract which nate client, while sharing the technological knowhow for co-
had been signed and sealed is an example. Similarly, the en- development and co-production of future weapon systems,
tire defence community in India was aghast at the way the without resorting to financial arms-twisting. Only then can
Russians kept increasing the cost and timeframes for delivery the Indo-Russian strategic partnership and defence relation-
in the Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya) deal. In both these cases, ship develop to its full potential. SP
the Indian authorities need to be complemented for showing —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

UN
First
F
MANNED
CARGO
Boeing A160T proved
resupply capability
for US Marines during
a cargo delivery
demonstration at the
US Army’s Dugway
Proving Ground in Utah
T
he Boeing A160T Hummingbird has successfully
completed a cargo delivery demonstration under a
US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory contract. It
proved the unmanned rotorcraft’s ability to resupply
frontline troops in rough terrain. The Hummingbird
met the demonstration requirements during the tests, conduct-
ed from March 9 to March 11, 2010 at the US Army’s Dugway
Proving Ground in Utah.
The demonstration proved that A160T can deliver at
least 2,500 Ibs of cargo from one simulated forward-operat-
ing base to another 75 nautical miles away within six hours.
The simulated mission carried 1,250 Ibs sling loads over
two 150-nautical-mile round trips, with the A160T operat-
ing autonomously on a preprogrammed mission.
The A160T completed seven test flights during the dem-
onstration, including a two-minute hover at 12,000 feet
with the 1,250 Ibs sling load, and a nighttime delivery to
a simulated forward operating base. “The Hummingbird’s
performance was outstanding, as we had expected,” said Vic
Sweberg, Director, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Boeing Mili-
tary Aircraft. He added, “The A160T’s provides unmatched
flexibility to carry out a variety of other missions, including
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; target acqui-
PHOTOGRAPH: BOEING
sition; direct action; and communication relay.” SP

—SP’s Aviation News Desk
E-mail your comments to:

letters@spsaviation.net

ALE C27J 210x267 ING_2010:ALE C27J 210x267 ING_2010 15-04-2010 13:23 Pagina 2
Towards a safer world.
TRULY TACTICAL
The C-27J is the true, modern and effective tactical airlifter available anywhere in the world. Whether in operational
areas or in disaster relief, the Spartan offers unique qualities not found in aircraft derived from commercial turboprops.
Excellent handling, advanced systems and superior safety levels further enhance the C-27J capabilities.
Making Ideas Fly
www.alenia.it
MILITARY OPERATIONS
COCKPIT OF C-27J BY ALENIA AERONAUTICA:

C-27J IS BIDDING FOR THE TENDER THAT
HAS BEEN FLOATED FOR TWO TACTICAL
TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT FOR THE BORDER
SECURITY FORCE, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
FOR THE BORDERS’ CONTROL. THE TENDER
IS MANAGED BY THE INDIAN AIR FORCE THAT
WILL ALSO ASSURE ITS INITIAL
OPERATIONAL USE. IAF HAS EXPRESSED ITS
INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAMME THROUGH AN
RFI (REQUEST FOR INFORMATION).
In Myriad Roles
It is the transport aircraft which supports ground forces in all
facets of their operations as a wonder workhorse.These aircraft
turn into aerial angels when used for speedy casualty evacuation,
act as airborne command posts when required, and even take
on the role of mean makeshift bombers for pulverising enemy
positions—preparing the ground and making it easier for final
assault by ground troops.
PHOTOGRAPHS: ABHISHEK / SP GUIDE PUBNS, C-27J & AIRBUS MILITARY
By Air Marshal (Retd)

V.K. Bhatia
I
n the dead of night none of the Al-Qaeda bel- The Mach-2, afterburning, super-cruising, variable-
ligerents would have known in their dying mo- thrust, with stealth and ultimate manoeuerability fighter may
ments as to what tore through the clear night be the everlasting toast of the military aviation fraternity, but
sky smashing into their vehicle with the force it is the transport aircraft which really support the ground
of a powerful bomb, rending men and machine forces in all facets of their operations as a wonder workhorse.
to smithereens. But was the weapon fired from From the word go, the very design of the military transport
a high-speed fighter jet as would be generally believed? aircraft has lent itself to multi-role capability. The cavernous
No, as it stands, there were no “glamour boys” in their hold of the aircraft is easily modifiable to undertake
mean fighting machines in the vicinity but a lumbering multifarious air transportation tasks; be it carrying men
US military C-130 air transporter, performing the role of and material into combat zone or air dropping troops and
an airborne howitzer. all kinds of cargo into the battle area. These aircraft turn

MILITARY OPERATIONS
NEW PLAYER: AIRBUS MILITARY’S

A400M TOOK TO THE SKIES EARLY
THIS YEAR, PROMISES TO BE ONE
OF THE LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART
TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS
into aerial angels when used marvel Boeing C-17 Globemaster

for speedy casualty evacuation, III and the much older Russian IL-
act as airborne command posts 76 falling in this category.
when required, and even take It is the dual-capable strate-
on the role of mean makeshift gic/tactical airlifter which turns
bombers for pulverising enemy out to be the best friend and
positions–preparing the ground saviour of the ground forces with
and making it easier for final its capability to perform practically
assault by ground troops. every possible role in support of
Clubbed into three main the ground forces. Take the case
categories, military aircraft of C-17 which, with its sizable (77
come in different sizes and tonnes) load carrying capability
shapes to perform their basic and its ability to provide rapid
roles as strategic, tactical, and airlift of troops and cargo to main
strategic/tactical roles. Strategic as well as forward operating
airlift involves transportation of bases anywhere in the world,
material, weaponry or personnel gives it the all-pervasive strategic/
over long inter-theatre or inter- tactical capability. The concept
continental distances and is has become so popular that major
performed by aircraft such as the transport aircraft manufacturers
US Lockheed Martin C-141 or C-5 such as the European EADS and
Galaxy and, the Russian Antonov Antonov are feverishly working
An-124 Ruslan or An-225 Mriya on creating similar capabilities
behemoths. On the other hand, albeit, through the turboprop
tactical airlifters–like the C-130 IN SUPPORT OF GROUND FORCES: route, by developing A400M and
Hercules and Transall C-160 (ABOVE) THE INDIAN AIR FORCE IS ALL SET TO ACQUIRE An-70 airlifters respectively. In
and their lighter siblings, the BOEINGS’ C-17 GLOBEMASTER. THIS MEGA HORSE the turboprop category the much
WHICH IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE FROM RUNWAYS AS
C-27 Spartan and An-32–move SHORT AS 3,500 FT, AND NEEDS A CREW OF JUST THREE; older but ever-evolving medium
supplies within a given theatre of (TOP) COMING TO INDIA VIA FMS, C-130J BY LOCKHEED airlifter Lockheed Martin C-130,
operations. Yet, another breed of MARTIN OFFERS A UNIQUE SET OF CAPABILITIES THEREBY in its age-defying Super Hercules
MEETING THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS. THE
aircraft perform a mix of strategic FIRST OF THE LOT OF SIX AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO BE
avatar, has already emerged as
and tactical roles with the latest US DELIVERED BY THIS YEAR-END. the world beater in this role. SP

SPOTLIGHT ACQUISITION
INSIDE VIEW:
PROVIDING
UNRIVALLED
SPACE
FOR VVIPS
Comfortable
& Secure
Anglo-Italian aviation major AgustaWestland has closed a deal with
the Indian Air Force for supply of 12 AW101 helicopters which will
ensure a comfortable and secure travel for VVIPs across the country
By Sucheta Das Mohapatra
V
VIPs in India will soon have 12 AW101 will enhance safety of VVIP travel. The deal has created a
helicopters for swanky travel. A EUR 560 glimmer of hope for European industries looking forward to
million (Rs 3,400 crore) contract was signed big business in the Indian defence market.
between Anglo-Italian aviation major “Several years ago we identified India as one of the pillars
AgustaWestland and the Indian Air Force (IAF) of our expansion strategy, from both the market and industrial
PHOTOGRAPHS: AGUSTAWESTLAND
on March 11, 2010, for procurement of the points of view. Today, we have a significant and growing
AW101 helicopters to be operated by the Air Headquarters presence in both the military and commercial markets. This
Communication Squadron located at Palam airport. The significant order by the Indian Air Force confirms the correct
agreement also includes logistic support for five years and vision and strategy of AgustaWestland in India,” Giuseppe
initial training of technicians and aircrew. Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland said.
The IAF will replace its existing fleet of helicopters used for An Anglo-Italian helicopter company owned by Italy’s
VVIP transport with state-of-the-art anti-missile and advance Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland caters to the global demand
communications system equipped AW101 helicopters which of 180 AW101 helicopters ordered by customers for their

SPOTLIGHT ACQUISITION
exceptional performance and high levels of safety standards

followed. The AW101 is being engaged in a wide range of
government and military missions. As of now, the AW101,
flying in Italy, the UK, Denmark, Portugal, Japan and Canada
has completed about 200,000 flight hours in service.
AW101 FOR VVIP USE

According to AgustaWestland officials, the AW101 provides
unmatched role flexibility providing customers with a cost-
effective solution to a wide range of VVIP requirements. It
combines the most advanced technologies, mission systems
and manufacturing expertise with a proven, mature aircraft
design to deliver a superior helicopter. It is a safe, mature
and technologically superior helicopter with three powerful
engines providing significant safety margins in critical
moments of flight. Besides large capacity with a 6.5 m long
main cabin providing space for 2-3 distinct accommodation
zones, it also has long range (1,000 km range with 4 fuel tanks)
and high speed (150 knots cruise speed) with all weather INCREASED SURVIVABILITY:
operations (-45 degree celsius to +50 degree celsius). increasing survivability. The MULTIPLE LOAD PATHS
& HIGH SYSTEM
AW101 offers the following crucial advantages for VVIP AW101 has proven 30 minute REDUNDANCY
operations: gearbox run-dry capability after
• It has unique safety characteristics provided by total loss of oil and optional self-
three-engine configuration and advanced monitoring sealing fuel tanks.
systems. To ensure safety of
• Provides unrivalled space for VVIPs. passengers, AW101 has fully integrated health & usage
• Has low level of cabin noise and vibration, equivalent to monitoring system (HUMS) for engines and transmission
fixed wing aircraft. providing advanced warning of any potential failure
• New engines with increased performance capabilities before safety is compromised. Its emergency exits include
to achieve essential demands for “hot and high” cabin windows; cabin doors on both sides of fuselage and
operations. cockpit crew dedicated emergency exits. The helicopter
• Proven availability, reliability and maintainability levels has emergency flotation gear keeping the aircraft afloat
that surpass all similar helicopter types. on water, flight data and cockpit voice recorders and an
• Unsurpassed flexibility demonstrated by multirole automatically deployable emergency locator transmitter.
operations in the world’s most demanding
environments. AGUSTAWESTLAND HELICOPTERS IN INDIA
• Enhanced environmental cooling systems for comfort in AgustaWestland started business in India with the 1971
high temperature environments. delivery of Sea King helicopters to the Indian Navy for anti-
submarine warfare. Sale of its civil product range started
SAFETY AND SURVIVABILITY in 2005, with the company delivering its first AW109
The high agility of the AW101and power margins provide Power helicopter to the Government of Rajasthan. Since
excellent flying qualities and added safety when operating then the company has supplied over 30 aircraft including
from restricted sites and rooftop helipads. Likewise, its widely additional AW109 Powers, the new Grand light twin engine
separated engines and critical systems maximise survivability helicopter, the AW119Ke single engine and the AW139
and multiple load paths and high system redundancy greatly medium twin.
In the backdrop of Defexpo 2010 held at New Delhi
in February, AgustaWestland and Tata Sons signed a
shareholders’ agreement for the formation of an Indian joint
SPECIAL SURVIVABILITY FEATURES (FOR VVIP SAFETY) venture company in India for a final assembly line for the
AW119 helicopter.
Fully Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) options, including:
• Directed Infra Red Countermeasures (DIRCM)
The AW119 is also a contender for reconnaissance and
• Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) surveillance helicopter (RSH) programme of the Indian Ministry
• Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) of Defence. Currently, an AW119 helicopter is conducting a
• Laser Warning Receivers (LWR) series of demonstrations as part of the evaluation process for
- 360 degree azimuth coverage the RSH programme.
- Integrated with RWR display With additional demand for helicopters for light observation,
• Automatic Chaff and Flare counter-measure dispensing anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, combat, border and
system (CMDS) coastal patrol duties, AgustaWestland foresees a potential
- Six dispensers with any combination of chaff and flares market worth approximately EUR 5-6 billion (Rs 30,300
- Supports manual or automated operation crore–Rs 36,400 crore) and over 600 military light helicopters
- Fully programmable response
in India within the next ten years. SP

CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION
FLYING HIGH,
FLYING FAST
FLYING HIGH: FALCON 7X

INTERIOR (ABOVE) & EXTERIOR The sale of
(RIGHT)
large-cabin
business jets
is successfully
surmounting the
economic ebb-tide.
PRICE IS NOT
DETERRING
THE ORDERS
for these top-end
corporate jets.
PHOTOGRAPHS: SP GUIDE PUBNS, DASSAULT, BOMBARDIER, GULFSTREAM & HBC
F
or a company engaged in trans- By LeRoy Cook and cabin for long-range trips, often 8-12
national commerce, a business Missouri, USA hours in length, more attention has to be
jet with intercontinental capa- given to the passengers’ comfort, includ-
bility enhances the ability to re- ing added galley space, lavatory capacity,
act efficiently to the company’s and just plain open areas in which to take
needs. When moving key em- a stroll. Crew members likewise need more
ployees to deal with an overseas incident room, and a rest area has to be provided
– be it a crisis or an opportunity, the tyranny of uncertain for relief personnel. And, the necessarily larger fuel tankage
flights and hub airports can be overthrown by point-to-point and engine size accompanying a bigger airplane is a direct
on-demand service in a corporate airliner. result of the longer-range mission.
The price of acquiring and operating such a aircraft is Sales of large-cabin business jets now seem to be suc-
not cheap. New top-end large-cabin jets will cost US $50- cessfully surmounting the economic ebb. Price is not deter-
70 million, outfitted for duty, with upper mid-size airplanes ring orders for top-end corporate jets, whose worth is con-
priced approximately half that amount. Bigger is, neverthe- sidered of inestimable value when there’s a need to be met.
less, better, for flying globally. When configuring a cockpit Purveyors and outfitters of big-cabin business aircraft have

FFICIENTISSIMO!
THE NEW FALCON 2000LX
By LeRoy Cook
kept full order books during LARGE & SPACIOUS:
the recession, as their cus- BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 5000
AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR (TOP) &
tomers equip for competitive INTERIOR (BOTTOM)
advantage.
S
DEVELOPMENT HISTORY ince the Gulfstream II was introduced in 1967,
The history of long-range, larger-cabin business jets begins the role of Gulfstream’s business jets has steadily
in the mid-1980s, with Gulfstream IV using Rolls-Royce’s evolved with the development of ever more effi-
Tay turbofan engines. Even though G-IIIs and Falcon 50s cient engines and larger fuel tankage. Gulfstreams
were hopping across oceans and continental landmasses are now making flights as long as 12 hours in
before that, the G-IV was a better answer, delivering a range duration. Trips of such extreme duration require
of over 4,400 nautical miles. From that point, the airliner- added space for rest areas, as well as more room for peram-
size airframes with corporate interiors—Boeing Business bulation and provisioning. While Gulfstream’s aircraft have
Jet, Airbus Corporate Jetliner and Embraer Lineage—ap- always been known for their luxurious cabins, the overall
peared on the scene, offering even more space, and longer- cross-sections of their fuselages haves not been changed
range executive jet models were developed by Bombardier since the original Grumman Gulfstream turboprop. There
and Dassault to bring competition to bear. was, after all, no reason to interfere with success.
As one examines this market, a blurring of the category Now, with the introduction of the G650, Gulfstream
line is inevitable. When does a super-midsize business jet Aerospace will be offering an airplane with an interior tall-
become a large-cabin airplane, and what defines an ultra- er and wider than its current models, while still preserving
PHOTOGRAPHS: EMBRAER & AIRBUS
long-range airplane? One will, of necessity, have to intermix the performance of Gulfstream’s airplanes delivered earlier.
some of the largest cabins with the smaller ones, bearing in The G650’s new BR725 engines will produce enough thrust
mind that all things are relative. to reach a maximum speed of Mach .925, a tiny, but signifi-
cant, increment faster than Cessna’s 15-year-old Citation X,
BOEING BUSINESS JETS which is the civil aircraft speedster since the retirement of
The BBJ family is extensive, just as Boeing’s airliner offerings the Anglo-French Concorde. With this aircraft, Gulfstream
are widely varied. If desired, one can have any of the twin- is setting an entirely new standard of luxury, performance,
engine Boeings, or even a 747, configured for private use. and capability.

COMFY RIDE
FIRST FLIGHT: GULFSTREAM

G650 ON ITS FIRST MISSION
the cabin mimics 2,765 feet, materially reducing fatigue on

With the introduction long trips. In keeping with Gulfstream’s standards, no recir-
culation of cabin air is used. The baggage compartment, ac-
of the G650, Gulfstream cessible in flight, is 11 per cent larger than the G550s. The
Aerospace will be offering outside baggage door is located at 4 inches lower than on
the G550, increasing its size by about eight per cent.
an airplane with an Structurally, the G650’s major portion is still built of alu-
interior taller and wider minum. The composites are used for the horizontal stabi-
lizer, rudder, winglets, engine cowlings, fairings, cabin floor
than its current models and aft pressure bulkhead. In a departure from the round
fuselage tube of the earlier Gulfstreams, the G650 uses
a flattened oval that makes more efficient use of interior
space without adding drag. In keeping with the Gulfstream
tradition, the G650 has a huge amount of wing area, almost
The G650 will boast a maximum range of 7,000 nauti- 1,300 sq ft, allowing it to obtain excellent airfield perfor-
cal miles at a speed of Mach .85, and even when cruising at mance without resorting to leading-edge devices or exter-
Mach .90, it is expected to have a 5,000 nautical mile range. nal flap tracks. The wing also offers massive fuel tankage
Compared to the G550, the cabin is 10.5 ft longer, 3 inches for the extreme-range missions envisioned for the aircraft;
taller and 14 inches wider. That brings its length up to 53.5 some 44 per cent of the G650’s takeoff weight can be up-
ft, with plenty of space for privacy and amenities. The G650’s lifted as fuel, the entire 44,200 Ibs of Jet-A swallowed in 26
cabin offers a headroom of 6.5 ft, and a maximum width of minutes by a redesigned refueling system.
8.6 inch. Gulfstream’s innovations continue throughout the The 100-foot wing is swept 33 degrees, versus 27 degrees
aircraft. The cabin windows, eight on each side, are the tra- on the G550, with a straight dihedral angle throughout, using
ditional large Gulfstream ovals, but are 16 per cent larger in an elegant, gently curving planform. The fuselage rides atop
area than the G550’, measuring 28/20.5 inches. the wing box, as is typical of modern drag management, but
The maximum certificated operating altitude remains at with a less prominent belly fairing as seen in shorter-fuselage
51,000 ft. But even in that rarefied atmosphere, the cabin’s jets. The traditional Gulfstream T-tail is retained, requiring a
altitude will only be 4,850 feet; at a more-typical 41,000 ft, bullet fairing for smooth airflow around the vertical fin junc-

ture. To further reduce

drag, the main landing
gear is stowed behind
fully-enclosing doors.
The G650’s control
system is entirely fly-by-
wire, as with most mod-
ern jet transports, even
to the braking system.
However, instead of the
armrest-mounted side-
sticks, Gulfstream chose
to keep traditional floor- G650 HAS BEEN
mounted control yokes, EQUIPPED WITH
interconnected to each ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINES.
other, which offer both
tactile and visual feed- ALL MAJOR CABIN
back to the pilots. While SYSTEMS HAVE
stall and overspeed pro- REDUNDANCY SO THAT
tection is provided by the
A SINGLE POINT FAILURE
flight control computers,
the pilot is in the loop and DOES NOT RESULT IN A
determines when and LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY.
how to apply control. THE CABIN HAS 16
As has been the case
with earlier Gulfstreams, SIGNATURE OVAL
the most advanced glass WINDOWS, EACH
cockpit is fitted, based on MEASURING 28 INCHES
Honeywell’s Primus Epic
II system, including syn- (LARGEST IN THE
thetic vision and heads- WORLD). THERE ARE
up display. For the ul- 8 WINDOWS ON EACH
tra-long-range flights,
SIDE AND THE DISTANCE
a relief crew rest area
will be behind the cock- BETWEEN WINDOWS IS
pit. The cabin’s entrance INCREASED TO PROVIDE A
door is larger than the GREATER SEAT PITCH.
G550’s 60-inch tall door,
extending well over six —ROGER SPERRY,
feet in height, and the VICE PRESIDENT,
self-contained boarding INTERNATIONAL SALES,
stairs allow access and
egress independent of GULFSTREAM
ground support.
Gulfstream has been
with Rolls Royce power WELL TIMED: FIRST
plants from the begin- DELIVERIES OF
ning of the line. The G650’s BR725 turbofans are new en- optimum size business jet for the THE AIRCRAFT TO
COMMENCE IN 2012
gines, and yet are expected to enter service with overhaul mission, able to use more airports
times comparable to their predecessors, given their evo- and hangar more easily than air-
lutionary development. The thrust is increased to 16,100 line-size corporate aircraft.
Ibs each, from the 15,385 pounds of the G550’s BR710 After a ceremonial rollout in
engines, yet fuel efficiency is better and noise level is one- September 2009, well timed for the approaching National
third less, thanks to fan improvements, coming in some 17 Business Aircraft Association convention, the first G650
decibels under the Stage 4 noise requirements. The emis- made its initial test flight on November 25, with the aircraft
sions are reportedly reduced by up to half. number two followed on February 26, 2010. Certification
Maximum takeoff weight for the G650 is purposely lim- is expected in 2011, and first deliveries will commence in
ited to an under-100,000 Ib figure, fitting it neatly with the the second half of 2012. Gulfstream reports aroundy 200
limitations for such smaller airports as Teterboro in the orders for the G650 so far, at $64.5 million (Rs 292.6 crore)
New York City area. Gulfstream considers its airplane as the each. The waiting period is about five years. SP

COMFORTABLE
FLYING: LINEAGE
1000 EXTERIOR
AND INTERIOR
(TOP); G650
INTERIOR-MOCKUP
AND EXTERIOR
(BOTTOM)
However, the 737-based BBJs are closest to the corporate oceans and continents.
business world, and will be the focus here. Powered by BR710-A220 engines of 14,750 lbs thrust,
The 737-based BBJs come in three sizes: the standard the Global airplanes are similar in size but for fuselage
BBJ, developed from the 737-300; the BBJ-2, based on the length. The XRS has a 6-foot, longer cabin and increased
737-800; and the long-body BBJ-3, which originated as a fuel capacity for ultra-long-range missions. The tall and
737-900ER. A convertible BBJ-C with a large swing-up car- wide cabin of the original Challenger cross-section is well-
go door was shown at the 2009 NBAA show, offering flex- suited to long flights, and with the cabin’s length up to 19
ible loading for a combination of passenger and cargo uses. passengers can be accommodated.
Powered by CFM56-7 engines of 26,400 pounds thrust, the
BBJ’s executive interior easily accommodates 8-15 passen- CESSNA CITATIONS
gers, and some 50 airline-class seats can be installed for Cessna Aircraft’s Citation division was, until last year, de-
corporate shuttle purposes. veloping a Columbus 850 big-cabin Citation to round out its
complete line of business jets. However, the world economy
AIRBUS CORPORATE JETLINERS made such an expensive development project unwise for
Directly competing with Boeing’s BBJ division, the ACJ se- now, and the Columbus project was put on hold indefinitely.
ries from EADS Airbus can likewise extend to four-engine, That leaves the flagship Citation X (“Ten”) as Cessna’ top-
widebody airliner airframes, with the Airbus A318 Elite giv- end aircraft, which saw its first deliveries in 1996.
ing a close match to the 737-based BBJ. The slightly larger The Citation X is a powerful, lightweight, high-perform-
ACJ came from the A319, and the even-longer A320 Prestige ing airplane, with good range from its Allison, now Rolls
originated as the A320. Royce, AE3007-C1 turbofans of 6,764 lbs thrust. It’s cur-
The A318 short-haul airliner was created from the A319 rently the fastest civil aircraft available, with an Mmo of .92
with the elimination of three fuselage frames. It’s often called and a long-range cruise faster than many competitors’ Mmo.
the “baby bus” in airline service. Even so, the corporate A318 The Citation X’s 3000-mile range is no longer as competitive
Elite offers an airliner-size interior, including a taller cabin as it was when it was introduced, but it can get there quickly
without the intrusion of overhead baggage bins, at a price —a trait that somewhat makes up for its smaller cabin size.
comparable to traditional large-cabin business jets. The A318
Elite is powered by CFM56-5B9-P engines of 23,300 lbs thrust DASSAULT FALCON JETS
and can seat 14-18 passengers in corporate use. Dassault’s Falcon 7X is unique among the ultra-long-range
airplanes, utilising three engines to offer more contingen-
BOMBARDIER BUSINESS AIRCRAFT cy options during long overwater flights. Dassault has al-
Bombardier has developed the Global series of large-cabin ways felt that two engines aren’t enough for international
business jets, drawing on its experience with the Challenger ops, even though turbine engine reliability is well proven.
and CRJ airliner airframes. The Global 5000 and Global Ex- It chooses to split the power requirement into three smaller
press XRS are the top of the line Bombardier ultra-long- packages, rather than two larger ones. Losing only one-third
range airplanes, with cabin size and performance to span of the powerplant count in an engine-failure scenario during

EYE CATCHING:
HAWKER 4000
EXTERIOR (EXTREME
RIGHT) INTERIOR
(RIGHT)
AIRBUS A318
EXTERIOR
AND INTERIOR
(BOTTOM)
takeoff also permits the use of shorter runways than a twin. Offering a right size for every buyer, Gulfstream’s top end
A new design, using the company history with the Falcons airplanes add one cabin window for each incrementally larger
50 and 900, the 7X is a larger, longer-range Falcon to span airplane, incorporating improved engines to maintain perfor-
longer distances. mance. The G450 uses the 13,850-lb thrust Rolls-Royce Tay
Unlike earlier Falcon jets, the 7X is fitted with winglets Mk 611-8C engine, while the G550 and G650 rely on BRW-
to maximise efficiency. The effective leading edge slats and 710 and -725 follow-on powerplants. Seating is usually con-
large flaps provide fairly slow Vref speeds, even with a re- figured for 19 passengers, with a typical load of eight or so.
fined wing that flies with a .90 limiting Mach number. The
engines are PW307As of 6,402 lbs thrust each, and the cab- HAWKER BEECHCRAFT
in is designed for loads of 12-14 passengers. When Hawker Beechcraft undertook development of a
large-cabin business jet to expand its line of light and me-
EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONAUTICA S.A. dium jets, it elected to draw upon its expertise with com-
In a steady pattern of growth, Embraer has developed a posite structures, gained with the Beech Starship and Pre-
broad family of corporate airplanes, from a light jet to an mier airplanes. The fuselage of the Hawker 4000 is built
airliner-size Lineage 1000. Based on the EMB-190 twin-en- entirely of carbon fibre, mated to an aluminum wing. This
gine airliner, the Lineage 1000 offers 4,500 miles of range creates a lighter, stronger cabin structure with less of its
and expansive living space in its nearly 40-feet-long cabin. width consumed by stiffeners and bulkheads. The empen-
Configured for up to 19 passengers in corporate use, the nage skins are also composite. Entering service in 2008,
Lineage 1000’s 4085 cubic feet of interior room allows for the 4000 offered traditional Hawker fans the larger cabin
shower-equipped sleeping quarters on one end and crew they always wanted.
rest bunks on the other. Power comes from GE CF34-10E Hawker business jets were among the earliest in the
engines generating 18,500 lbs thrust each. marketplace, dating back to 1965, and they have had a loyal
following. The Hawker 4000 draws on that input. It’s pro-
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE pelled by PW308A engines of 6,900 lbs thrust, and with a
Gulfstream has always been the iconic large-cabin business range of 3,280 miles it offers capability to extend the reach
jet, so much so that the name is nearly generic with corpo- of Hawker users worldwide.
rate jet luxury in the public mind. VIPs have ridden in Gulf- These top-end business jets allow their users to pur-
streams for decades, and the company has endured with its sue business interests over a wide geographic expanse,
reputation for cutting-edge technology blended with tradi- delivering the passengers directly to a company destina-
tional values. Its large-cabin offerings cover a range of older tion without the rigours of airline travel. Such flexibility
400 and 500 series Gulfstreams, with a new Gulfstream 650 can be worth every penny of expenditure when a major
coming to the fore at present. deal is clinched. SP

ANALYSIS BUDGET
We need to
spend more
efficiently
By
Air Chief Marshal
(Retd) S. Krishnaswamy
T
HE DEFENCE BUDGET, AS A SUBJECT, does not
anymore trigger interest other than to those who
are directly concerned. Public opinion, by and
large, is simple and noble. They believe that the
defence services must have quality systems, and
be able to effectively fend off threats to the nation.
They also believe that modernisation is essential but is not
keeping pace with requirements; they also feel that the mili- The problem is not with
tary is not getting adequate funds. The malady is attributed
to bureaucratic, inefficient processes. The government, for its adequacy of budget, but the
part, articulates its strong support to military modernisation efficiency with which we spend.
and this will has translated into new procedures that promise
desired efficiency and greater transparency. And it is not the efficiency of
But can these new procedures solve the problems at
hand? Will defence allocations ever be adequate? Will the
spending alone that matters, but
government get better value for every rupee being spent on also how and on what the defence
defence? Will our military have quality equipment and good
operational standards? In the author’s opinion, we are un-
forces are spending on.
likely to see dramatic improvement in the near future for very
many reasons. Primarily, the problem is not an adequacy of
budget but the efficiency with which we spend. It is not the ef-
ficiency of spending alone that matters, but how and on what This multiplied over four-and-a-half times to Rs 7,000 crore
the defence forces are spending. Practically, every military for 2009-10 since 2004-05, with 15 per cent of the alloca-
operation that India has undertaken since Independence has tion being earmarked for modernisation. Last year, Rs 1,561
exposed a number of inadequacies both in terms of inventory crore revenue expenditure was adjusted from unspent capital
as well as capabilities. The solution is to comprehensively ad- expenditure, highlighting a new trend in the bargain. Besides
dress issues that call for a thorough overhaul; not just the ac- being an unorthodox way of adjusting expenditure, it indicates
quisition procedure but the entire gamut of planning, supply an unforeseen increase in support to the military. This is a dis-
chain management, maintenance, and training. Money alone turbing trend. From the figures, it appears that the defence
will not solve problems. services get as much as they can spend. Hence, it is argued,
It is relatively simple to resolve budget-related issues. Re- inadequate allocation cannot be a complaint.
vised estimates are prepared around October and the expendi- The difficulties in managing defence expenditure are
ture over the next four-five months leads on to the next year’s known to the government, but it lacks the means to enforce
budget calculations. The last four months of the financial year accountability. The Standing Committee on Defence in its
witness a feverish spending spree and many PSUs churn out report on Demand for Grants (2009-10) placed in the Lok
their entire annual production during the period. Every service Sabha in December 2009 recommended that there is an ur-
ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA
races to spend the budget allocation by March 31. Unspent gent need to curb wasteful expenditure. The 13th Finance
resources are promptly surrendered after that date, and un- Commission observed that there exists immense scope to
derstandably there is a lot of dissatisfaction all around. De- improve the quality and efficiency of defence expenditure
fence services have been continually underutilising budget al- through increased private sector engagement, import substi-
locations. Year on year, under-utilisation had been increasing. tution and indigenisation, improvements in procedures and

practices, and better project management. Efforts in this di- few years, right from quality of accommodation, allowances,
rection would help in expanding the fiscal space available for cost of upkeep, cost of ration, and travel entitlements. More-
defence spending. Government watchdog CAG, in its reports, over, there has been a significant escalation of rank struc-
regularly points out weaknesses in defence management and ture as an incentive that has added to manpower costs. Not
exercising cost control. Serious flaws in the decisionmak- only increase of pay, but significant additional manpower and
ing process, supply chain management, contracting, project infrastructure are envisaged to support additional offices of
management, and upkeep have been reported by the CAG. higher ranks. The “ballooning” effect on manpower would be
However, the services cannot be held totally responsible for known only after the new establishments are filled up. There
the failures. If the navy gets an aircraft and not an aircraft is no sign of the services reducing manpower or the cost of
carrier, or the air force suffers a 20-year delay in acquir- manpower. Inflation adds up further costs on fuel, transpor-
ing suitable aircraft, or the Army gets delayed in deciding tation, spares, and other essentials. The Finance Commission
on the right type of artillery, the individual service cannot be estimates the increase in revenue expenditure to be 7 per
blamed. The fault lies deeper—in the ways of managing de- cent per annum and capital equipment cost to increase by 10
fence. Services initiate cases for procurement that go through per cent. In practical terms, there could be runaway increases
an elaborate process. Usually, if a contract is not finalised in in both areas unless carefully evaluated and means adapted
about a year, uncertainty and vagaries in the business world for effective control. There is an urgent need to upgrade de-
make it difficult to conclude the contract as per the technical fence accounting and inventory management processes and
package and cost visualised. P&L audit as practiced in the private sector.
There are other maladies too. The system does not recog- It is well known that India is the largest weapons buyer
nise the importance of a time-bound comprehensive package. among emerging countries. India imported military hardware
It is not unusual that contracted equipment do arrive, but con- worth $28 billion since 2000 mainly from Russia, Israel, France
tracts for spares are not concluded. Aircraft may arrive, but and Great Britain. A lot is said about participation of the private
not the carrier. Operational systems may arrive, but contents sector in supplying operational systems to our defence forces.
of an integration package may remain undecided. Equipment Current processes make it extremely difficult to translate this
may arrive, but deficiencies remain. Contract obligations are idea into practice. First, any process for indigenous develop-
missed out for the lack of efficient project management proce- ment takes 5-10 years starting from design, prototyping, prov-
dures. Equipment may arrive, but approval for training pack- ing, and production. R&D infrastructure within the country is
ages may remain pending. Equipment arrive, but the service inadequate and DRDO has serious limitations in supporting
concerned may be undecided where to commission it. The ser- the private sector in this regard unless major policy changes
vice may finally decide, but work-services may not start and are made. Equally important, DRDO must make commitments
the warranty elapses while the equipment is in storage. on cost and time factors to make such ventures viable.
At times, the technical support contracts are kept pending Our defence establishments decide on what operational
and negotiations break down. Often, we become “captive” to systems they should have based on trends abroad. This means
the supplier and have to put up with their unfair demands that such countries already have a lead in technology terms
when supporting contracts are incomplete. While the Minis- and on time. This method too must change. It is necessary to
try of Defence (MoD) may negotiate very hard, it may become come up with a viable process to commit to the private sector.
helpless and be compelled to approve if the vendor holds an It is vital for national security to develop indigenous capability.
advantage. When it comes to indigenously-developed systems, In the Indian public sector there are many players besides the
the problems are greater. Most indigenous designs have a high institutions under MoD. For example, NAL under CSIR devel-
percentage imported material and subsystems. PSU contracts oped the SARAS aircraft. The prototype, however, crashed kill-
with vendors are rarely transparent to the services. No equip- ing the entire crew. The causes have not been identified and
ment ever designed and developed in India has remained actions to be taken have not been completed even though a
within reasonable cost escalations. Invariably, technical and year has passed. One of the reasons for this is that there are
spares support are found seriously wanting. The military or too many players such as DGCA, NAL, CSIR, MOD and IAF un-
the MoD do not have specialists in project management, cost- der different ministries and bosses. Accountability, therefore,
ing/pricing, and contracting. The military that deal with thou- is diluted. Such an environment is not conducive to design-
sands of crores do not have chartered or cost accountants, ing and developing systems within the country though we may
or even contract specialists. “Costing” an operation or activity apparently have the potential. The government would need to
is quite impossible or at best inaccurate owing to to lack of find ways of “bridling” a large number of institutions that are
expertise and databases. There is no balance sheet indicating functioning under different ministries to serve a common pur-
“top” or the “bottomlines”. Revised procurement processes do pose, and made accountable.
not address any of the issues stated either. The country does have the potential, but a thorough over-
The Military faces another challenge — quality financial hauling of the system is required and the means must be es-
and inventory management specialists of desirable levels. tablished to evolve a system that would be accountable, cost-
Signs are evident that revenue expenditure could run away if effective, and professional that can harmonise and integrate
serious efforts are not taken to control the same. Defence rev- potentials across disciplines and ownership. SP
enue expenditure has grown from Rs 10,194 crore in 1989- —The author is a former Chief of Air Staff.
90 to Rs 87,344 crore in 2010-11, i.e. an increase of almost
nine times during the last two decades. In the years ahead,
this could skyrocket beyond imagination. The quality of sup- E-mail your comments to:
port to manpower has improved substantially over the last letters@spsaviation.net

SPECIAL REPORT INDUSTRY
Present Future Perfect
ON THE MOVE: CABTOPS AT

THE C-130 PRODUCTION
LINE AT ATLANTA; (BELOW)
FIRST INDIAN C-130J AT THE
PRODUCTION LINE
US defence giant Lockheed Martin has been engaged in research,

design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services for the global
defence market. Photojournalist Abhishek Singh reports from the
company’s manufacturing hubs.
O
f the six C-130J Su- heed Martin officials while briefing
per Hercules Tactical Indian journalists during their visit
PHOTOGRAPHS: LOCKHEED MARTIN
Airlifter Aircraft or- to the company’s manufacturing

dered by the Indian units in the US in March. The com-
Air Force from the pany which is now engaged in the
American aerospace manufacture of the C-130J aircraft
specialist Lockheed Martin, the first for India, as a part of the $1 billion
will be delivered in December 2010. (Rs 4,500 crore) contract with IAF, is
The remaining five will reach India now also eyeing the Indian defence
by 2012. This was stated by Lock- market to supply F-16IN Super Viper

LARGE & SPACIOUS: THE
COMPANY’S MANUFACTURING
HUB AT ATLANTA IS 76 TIMES
THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL
FIELD; (BELOW) GLASS
COCKPIT OF C-130J
fighter aircraft for the

IAF. Lockheed Martin is
one among the six con-
tenders in the Medium
Multi-Role Combat Air-
craft (MMRCA) race.
In the month of Oc-
tober, the US Air Force
will provide training
on C-130J to the IAF
crews. While this will
be provided at the
Lockheed Martin base,
the aircraft owned by
the US Air Force will be
used for the purpose.
According to Jack
Crisler, Director, Inter-
national C-130J Programme’s Business Development.
Orville Prins, Vice President, Business Development
– India, Lockheed Martin while updating the Indian me-
dia in Dallas, Texas said that the IAF is also looking at
the feasibility of incorporating KC-130J Super Hercules
Tactical Air Refueller Aircraft. “The Indian Navy too also
enquired about the F-35 aircraft manufactured by us,”
added Prins.
Thomas Wetherall, Deputy Vice President, Global
Sustainment on C-130 Sustainment programme said,
“Lockheed Martin seeks to be the preferred partner
for delivering affordable aircraft readiness and ensur-
ing mission effectiveness and capability throughout the
product lifecycle of the C-130 aircraft platform. Our aim
is to leverage the experience gained though the support
of multiple C-130J customer fleets. We desire to build
long term relationships with our customers.”
duction of C-130J, the other unit is under construction for
WORLD’S LARGEST DEFENCE CONTRACTOR production of F-35. Company officials claim that in the next
The US aerospace, defence, security, and advanced technol- six years, the company will be able to manufacture at least
ogy company Lockheed Martin was formed by the merger one F-35 aircraft every day.
of Lockheed with Martin Marietta in March 1995. Today, it “There is a worldwide requirement of C-130J especially in
is the world’s largest defence contractor with it’s Headquar- the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” said Jack Crisler. “The C-
ters at Fort Worth, Texas. The company also operates from 130J is affordable, relevant and versatile. It can be utilised in
Marietta, Georgia and Palmdale, California. Technology de- various roles like aerial refuelling, electronic warfare, combat
velopment, engineering, and innovation are instrumental delivery, humanitarian support, armed ISR, maritime patrol,
to the corporation’s aerospace and defence core markets, rapid ground refuelling, weather reconnaissance and fire-
and along with it are emerging markets like cyber security, fighting,” he said.
healthcare, energy and climate change. The company em- The company claims to have delivered 2,340 C-130 air-
ploys more than 70,000 engineers and scientists creating craft in seven countries across the globe, and has a long
innovative solutions for global security challenges. term contract with countries like UK, Australia and Canada.
UK was the first country outside the US to have C-130 air-
C-130J craft. Now India and Qatar have joined the race. The C-130
The Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing unit in Atlanta is 76 production line in Atlanta manufactures 25 aircraft every
times the size of a football ground and is divided into two year, and has the potential to increase its capacity to manu-
parts. While one manufacturing unit is dedicated to the pro- facture 36 aircraft.

ADVANCED TECH: (LEFT) F-16IN
ON THE MOVE; (BELOW)
PHOTO JOURNALIST
ABHISHEK SINGH INSIDE
A F-161N COCKPIT
DEMONSTRATOR
in case the company

halts production of
F-16 INs, Prins said,
“Our support avail-
ability programmes
will continue beyond
2040. India’s partner-
ship with Lockheed
Martin can provide
access to the highest
technology, opportuni-
ties for technology co-
development, low-risk
licensed production,
transfer of technology,
and opportunities for
extensive long-term
business.”
The F-16IN Super Viper is a unique new fighter
sharing a heritage with the world’s only fifth genera-
tion fighters – the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
and the F-22 Raptor. Evolutionary integration of fifth
generation technologies makes the F-16IN an advanced
fourth generation fighter.
According to the company officials, F-16IN Super Vi-
per has been tailored exclusively to meet or exceed all of
India’s MMRCA requirements. “It is the right choice for
IAF and is ready for integration into India’s infrastruc-
ture and operations now,” opined Prins.
“Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has incorporated the
latest technologies into the F-16IN with the aim to ex-
pand the mission roles and improve combat capability,
thereby creating the most effective multi role fighter to-
day. With continuous insertion of latest technology avail-
able, the F-16IN can be readily equipped with emerging
The C-130J has greater climb rate and higher initial capabilities throughout its lifecycle,” he said.
cruise altitude as compared to C-130H and it can climb up
to 24,500 ft in just 22 minutes. The C-30J has the ability THE F-16IN SUPER VIPER HAS THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
to transport 33 per cent more pallets, uses half the cockpit
crew, enhances situational awareness, burns less fuel, and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar
flies faster and higher. The AESA radar is a key feature of F-16IN Super Viper and
according to Lockheed Martin officials, it was the core re-
F-16IN SUPER VIPER quirement of the IAF. The radar is a discriminator in multi-
The F-16IN Super Viper has the most advanced technolo- role combat aircraft when network operations are unavail-
gies and capabilities available globally. According to Lock- able or when the fighter aircraft’s RF has been raised to a
heed Martin officials, as of now 4,500 F-16 aircraft have higher level by the carriage of external stores. The Northrop
been ordered by 25 countries, and the company has already Grumman APG-80 AESA radar in the F-16IN provides out-
delivered 4,400 F-16 aircraft. The production lines of F-16 standing situational awareness and detection, ultrahigh-res-
are in the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, and South Korea, olution synthetic aperture radar mapping, fully interleaved
besides Fort Worth. Texas. The F-16IN has a technology flow modes of operations with automatic terrain following, and
between F-35 and F-22 and radar cross section advantage air-to-air tracking of multiple targets. AESA radars are more
over twin engine aircraft. The company gives 50 per cent “operator friendly.” The radar has the ability to maintain
offset commitment for the aircraft. tracks on targets while continuing to search for new con-
On being asked about the maintenance of the aircraft tacts, while also allocating time to perform air-to-surface

ALL DIGITAL: THE F-16IN

Net-Centric Warfare Capability
COCKPIT REDUCES WORKLOAD The fusion of net-centric operations and on-
OF PILOTS; (BELOW) AESA board data provides a total battle space pic-
RADAR MOUNTED ON ture and optimises mission accomplishment.
F-16IN NOSE
The F-16 was the first multi-role fighter to
incorporate a data link capability, and the
IAF’s operational data link (ODL) can be in-
tegrated onto the F-16IN in order to ensure
interoperability with other IAF aircraft.
Modern, all-digital glass cockpit

The pilots receive easy-to-interpret infor-
mation via the all-digital cockpit and hel-
met-mounted cueing system. The large
colour displays are capable of fusing data
from on-and-off-board sensors, reducing
the workload and enabling the pilot to focus
on the mission.
Advanced Survivability Features

The low radar signature of the F-16IN re-
duces detection by enemy radars. Its sin-
gle-engine design has smaller infrared and
visual signature than twin-engine fight-
ers. The internal electronic warfare sys-
tem avoids or defeats the most advanced
threats. Superior agility and excellent pilot
situational awareness reduce vulnerability
to attack, while critical systems redundancy
and shielding enhance survivability.
Enhanced High Thrust Engine

The F-16IN offers the highest thrust en-
gine in the competition, the General Electric
F110-132A. It has 32,000 Ibs of thrust with
an unprecedented record of safety, reliabil-
ity, maintainability and durability. The F110
incorporates the latest technology including
full authority digital engine control for maxi-
mum fuel efficiency and performance.
Cockpit overview
The F-16IN cockpit displays and controls
are fully integrated and revamped to quickly
convey the information and simplify opera-
tions for the pilot. The pilot receives mission
and tactical information via the full colour,
all digital glass cockpit and a helmet mount-
ed display (HMD). Electronic displays incor-
porating graphics, digital data and colour
alerts replace traditional engine and flight
instrumentation speeding up the pilot’s cog-
nitive processing of system status.
Proven Combat and Operational Effec-
tiveness:
• Over 400,000 combat hours
• More air-to-air victories (72-0)
operations such as an attack on a surface target or even a • Over 100,000 combat missions flown
resource intensive task such as radar guided terrain. The • Over 2,200,000 ordnance delivered in combat
final benefit of the AESA radar is increased reliability and • Over one million operational sorties in support of the
reduced planned maintenance. global war against terror. SP

F-16IN is the ultimate

Fourth Generation Fighter
Orville Prins,Vice
President, Business
Development-India,
Lockheed Martin in
a conversation with
photojournalist Abhishek
Singh, elaborated on the
advantages of the F-16IN
Super Viper
SP’s: Can you throw some light on the advantages of full exceeds all IAF requirements. Any information about the tri-
authority digital engine control (FADEC) system. als must come directly from the IAF.
Prins: FADEC system has better fuel efficiency, carefree
engine handling, with guaranteed thrust settings, systems SP’s: Can we call F-16IN a fresh product for IAF or is
integration with engine and aircraft systems, provision for it an upgraded version of previous F-16s. What are the
engine long-term health monitoring and diagnostics, helps new features installed in the aircraft?
in reducing the number of parameters to be monitored by Prins: The F-16IN Super Viper is specifically designed to meet
flight crews, and can support automatic aircraft and engine or exceed IAF requirements and will be the most advanced
emergency responses (e.g. in case of aircraft stall, engines version of the F-16 ever produced. Starting with the advanced
increase thrust automatically), etc. Block 60 model of the F-16, we have added the latest advance-
ments in weapons, sensors and other capabilities to make the
SP’s: It is heard that in the event of a total FADEC Super Viper the ultimate fourth generation fighter.
failure, pilots have no way of manually controlling the
engines for a restart? SP’s: Elaborate the advantages of on CFTs (conformal
Prins: The FADEC on the F-16IN Super Viper has multiple fuel tanks) of F-16IN, as it gives a completely new look
levels of redundancy to provide safe operation during faults. to the aircraft.
In the unlikely event of a complete FADEC failure, the Super Prins: The conformal fuel tanks are an innovative design
Viper reverts to a fully mechanical backup control. that gives the F-16IN significantly more range without af-
fecting aerodynamic performance or using wing weapon
SP’s: How are the flying evaluation trails going on, as stations for external fuel tanks. SP
the Indian Air Force has announced that the trails will
be over in 3-4 months?
Prins: The F-16IN team successfully completed trials in For more information and related videos, visit:
February and demonstrated that the Super Viper meets or www.spsaviation.net

MILITARY
POWER
OPERATIONS
PLAY
Vayu Shakti-2010 saw the participation of 107 aircraft
including MiG-21 Bison, MiG-27 UPG, MiG-29, Mirage-2000,
Su-30 MKI, Jaguars, AN-32, IL-76, Mi-17 1V, Mi-35 gunships. The
other unseen force multipliers included IL-78 mid-air refuellers,
AWACS and UAVs.
I
n a breathtaking display of By Air Marshal (Retd) by pilots at the end of their training
rapid air power dominance year. The exercise was also meant
in a representative battlefield
V.K. Bhatia to serve as an aid for commanders
area, the Indian Air Force and planners to gain better insight
(IAF) aircraft blasted away into the potential and deployment
targets by day, dusk and capabilities of aerial weapons.
night in a fire power demonstration exercise, Vayu Shakti- The success of the FPD was the result of thorough op-
2010, at its live armament firing ranges at Pokharan. erational, logistical and administrative planning par excel-
The dusk and night phase display on February 28 was lence by IAF commanders. Even though futuristic battlefield
the first ever by the IAF, wherein107 aircraft including MiG- scenarios are expected to be increasingly complex, the IAF
21 Bison, MiG-27 UPG, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, exercise proved that it could accomplish any complex mis-
Jaguars, AN-32, IL-76, Mi-17 1V, Mi-35 gunships participat- sion objective with panache and deadly accuracy.
ed. The other unseen force multipliers included IL-78 MKI Mission planning remains in the forefront of all IAF op-
mid-air refuellers, AWACS and UAVs. erations. The FPD demonstrated intricate mission planning
President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, success achieved through the Integrated Command Air Task-
Pratibha Devisingh Patil was the chief guest at the display. The ing System (I-CATS), a mission planning system custom built
others present included Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Minis- for IAF. Different types of aircraft from all Commands of the
PHOTOGRAPHS: PRO IAF
ter of State for Defence Dr M.M. Pallam Raju, Marshal of the IAF with varied configurations, speed and performance pa-
IAF Arjan Singh, three Service Chiefs, senior MOD officials, 28 rameters participated in the exercise in specific time inter-
military attachés of various countries, and journalists. vals while taking off from distant and different airbases.
Vayu Shakti-2010 firepower demonstration (FPD) was a One of the major advantages of the I-CATS is the ability to
collective display of skills and accuracy in weapon delivery plan and de-conflict waves of strike formations. By using the

MILITARY OPERATIONS
FIRE POWER DEMONSTRATION: A COLLECTIVE DISPLAY OF SKILLS AND ACCURACY IN WEAPONS DELIVERY BY PILOTS DURING
VAYU SHAKTI 2010 MARKING THE END OF THEIR TRAINING YEAR
collision check function, the planners can resolve traffic con- an aerial flare at the end of their simulated encounter was
flicts in large force packages as was done for the FPD. a rare sight to witness.
But no planning can bear results till the targets are ac- As daylight transcended into twilight and darkness,
curately destroyed. The pilots who flew various missions relentless pounding of rockets, bombs and guns blazing
were regular squadron pilots who were trained hard in the from the turrets of fighters and helicopters lit up the night
months preceding the grand event. Regular mission briefings sky. All aircraft dispensed IR flares making it easy for on-
and debriefings conducted over video-conferencing ensured lookers to discern when the armament was fired by the
that all involved in various airbases were on the same grid attacking aircraft.
at the end of each day’s practice mission—a reflection of the In a special segment the synergy of the Army Para Com-
network capabilities developed for efficiency. mandos, Naval Marine Commandos and IAF Special Force
An array of targets including mock radar sites, tanks, Garuds was also demonstrated as they para-dropped togeth-
marshalling yards, terrorist camps, runway, BMP (infantry er and destroyed mock terrorist camps.
fighting vehicles), blast pens and convoys were selectively On being asked by the media if the FPD was meant to
destroyed in the precision attacks by IAF pilots using bombs, convey any signals, Antony said, “The exercise is not meant
rockets and missiles. Both PGMs (precision guided ammuni- to send any signals to any country. It was meant to ensure
tions) and conventional armament were used in the display. the nation and show the capability of our armed forces that
Besides witnessing obliteration of ground-based tar- they are in safe hands.” The Defence Minister added, “We
gets, CAP (combat air patrol) versus Strike (intruding en- are not war-mongers. We shouldn’t be worried about threats
emy force), an adrenaline-pumping aerial combat scenario from any quarters. The exercise was meant to showcase
of 2vs2 (Su-30 MKIs hunting in a pair against an intruding jointness of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the
pair of Mirage-2000) was demonstrated. Firing of R-73 in- Indian Navy.” SP
frared (heat seeking) air-to-air missiles by Su-30 MKIs on —With inputs from Air HQ, New Delhi

SHOW REPORT INDIA AVIATION
A I R S H O W
Extravaganza
BRAND NEW:
CREW AND
MANAGEMENT
OF INDIGO AND
INTERGLOBE
TECHNOLOGIES
RECIEVING
THEIR 25TH
AIRBUS 320
AIRCRAFT
India Aviation 2010 helped place in perspective the status of

the Indian aviation industry, the opportunities on offer and the
tremendous potential for growth
T
he civil airport at Begumpet, By Air Marshal (Retd) tional air show at Yelahanka, Bangalore,
Hyderabad was the venue B.K. Pandey, Hyderabad was dominated by military aviation, the
of Indian Aviation 2010, the MoCA rightly decided to de-link and or-
second edition of the civil ganise a parallel exercise at a location
aviation extravaganza. Host- other than the one used for Aero India.
ed from March 3 to 7, 2010, Hyderabad was indeed the obvious and
the India Aviation Air Show that can more the right choice. Thus the first edition of
appropriately be described as a ‘Trade Show’ was organised India Aviation was held at Begumpet in October 2008. Un-
by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Federation fortunately, it was at a time when on account of skyrocketing
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the oil prices and the global economic meltdown, the Indian civil
ominous shadow of an uncertain security situation in Hyder- aviation industry, in tandem with the global aviation industry,
abad. In spite of the fact that the state of Andhra Pradesh, and was in the depths of despair.
PHOTOGRAPHS: ABHISHEK / SP GUIDE PUBNS
particularly the capital city of Hyderabad, has been torn apart

by civil strife and violence in recent months on account of the INDIA AVIATION 2010
ongoing agitation for the formation of the separate state of However, the scenario in 2010 is quite different. While the lead-
Telangana, India Aviation 2010 passed off peacefully. ing economies of the world continue their struggle against re-
cession, sizeable presence at the air show of the US, the f’ocus
INDIA AVIATION 2008 country’ and France, the ‘partner country’ to the air show re-
In the wake of the unprecedented boom in the civil aviation flected the fact that the Indian civil aviation industry had ar-
industry in India from 2004 to 2007, arose the need for an rived on the world stage. With signs that the Indian economy
international event to project the attributes, strengths, growth had successfully negotiated the global economic turmoil and
potential and the opportunities that the Indian civil aviation was now poised for a healthy rate of growth, the target for
industry had to offer. As Aero India, the biennial interna- which has been pegged at nine per cent by Dr. Manmohan

Singh, the Prime Minister of India and a renowned econo-

mist. It was only logical for Praful Patel, the Union Minister
for Civil Aviation, to state in his inaugural address that for
the civil aviation industry in India, the worst was over. He
further stated that the industry was on the road to recovery
albeit at a pace somewhat slower than what was forecast
earlier, as it carries an enormous burden of cumulative
losses. He was confident that with improving load factors
and yields witnessed over the last few months, the airlines
would become sustainable and would be in a position to en-
hance capacity with due caution in conformity with ground
realities. On the subject of infrastructure, the minister stat-
ed that upgrade programmes of the four metro airports,
the 35 non-metro airports as well as of a few other selected
airports were on track. He went on to add that the bidding
process for a greenfield international airport at Mumbai
was expected to be
completed within a
year. The aviation
sector required stag-
gering levels of in-
vestment and while
the Airport Author-
ity of India was the
major player steer-
ing infrastructure
growth, there was
imperative need for
an participation by
the private sector.
While highlight-
ing the enormous
growth potential and
opportunities in the
sector, he sounded a
note of caution about
the volatility in the
price of aviation fuel
that could prove to
be a major impedi-
ment to the growth
of the industry.
Reinforcing the
optimistic mood,
FREEZE FRAME: (TOP TO BOTTOM) Chief Minister of
CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER PRAFUL PATEL Andhra Pradesh Dr.
HAVING A LOOK AT STATIC DISPLAY OF K. Rosaiah, who was
AIRPLANES, FRENCH AMBASSADOR
JEROME BONNAFONT AND ANDHRA the chief guest at the
PRADESH CHIEF MINISTER K. ROSAIAH inauguration cer-
AT THE INAUGURAL MEET emony, defined the
priority accorded
by his government
to the development of civil aviation infrastructure and the
various incentives available to the private sector for par-
ticipation in the new airport development projects in the
state. He catalogued the achievements of Andhra Pradesh
in respect of aviation-related infrastructure development
by way of the Greenfield Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Hosted by
at Shamshabad built under the public-private partnership

(PPP) arrangement with the GMR group as the major inves-
tor. He took obvious pride in the fact that the Rajiv Gandhi
ILA_SPS_Aviation_B2B_89x226_en.indd 1 31.03.2010 09:52:10

International Airport at Shamshabad has been ranked as the GLOBAL PARTICIPATION

best airport in the world in the 5-15 million passenger seg- India Aviation 2010, the largest civil aviation exposition in the
ment. This is no mean achievement as this is the second airport country, provided excellent opportunity for exchange between
in the country under the PPP model. Apart from the airport, vendors and potential customers in the different segments of
the state government has also approved a Special Economic the industry. Present at the venue to savour the Indian growth
Zone (SEZ) dedicated to the aerospace industry in which the story and sporting the latest from their stables were the lead-
first major venture is a helicopter manufacturing facility that ing players representing the who’s who of the aviation industry
is being established through a joint venture between Tata Ad- such as Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, GE
vanced Systems and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of the US. Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Hawker Beechcraft Corpora-
In addition to this, the GMR Group has set up an Aerospace tion, Honeywell and Rathyeon from the US, Airbus, AgustaWest-
Park in the SEZ for aerospace related facilities thereby gen- land, CFM International, Dassault Aviation, EADS, Eurocopter,
erating employment potential for technically qualified youth. Selex Sistemi Integrati and Thales from Europe, Rolls Royce
Dr Rosaiah also spoke of the establishment of Lepakshi Aero- from the UK and Bombardier from Canada. Spread over an
space and Defence Cluster, a private aerospace venture con- area of 15,000 sq m, there were around 200 participants this
sisting of a variety of aerospace related activities. year (as opposed to 170 in 2008) of which 75 per cent were
With the background of compounded annual growth rate from abroad in anticipation of grabbing a slice of the pie the
(CAGR) of 18 per cent in civil aviation in 2009, the global Indian market has to offer. There was a 15 per cent increase
slowdown notwithstanding, Madhavan Nambiar, Secretary, over 2008 in the number of aircraft on static display. Canada,
Ministry of Civil Aviation, highlighted the efforts of the gov- the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands had
ernment to make India a regional hub as also to provide country pavilions. However, what was particularly notewor-
the necessary impetus to the growth of the air cargo sector. thy was the presence of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of
SNAPSHOTS: BUSINESS JETS

ON DISPLAY AT THE EVENT
He stressed on the need to adopt the Cargo Village concept Russia, which in collaboration (LEFT), MINISTER PRAFUL
at select international gateways that would enable India to with an Indian company Hin- PATEL RECEIVING AIR INDIA’S
NEW A320 AIRCRAFT (ABOVE),
compete with major international airport hubs like Dubai, davia Aeronautical Services, BUSINESS JETS (FACING PAGE
Singapore and Bangkok. had on display the 85-seat AN LEFT) AND LARGE AIRLINERS
Timothy Roemer, US Ambassador to India, who was head- 148 twin engine high wing re- (FACING PAGE RIGHT) PARKED
ing a delegation from the aerospace industry, traced the histo- gional jet liner for civilian ap- AT THE SHOW
ry of the growth of Indo-US cooperation in civil aviation, which plication. As per Yuri Grudinin,
included the various bilateral agreements and the assistance Director, UAC, in its very first
programmes in different disciplines to enhance efficiency and attempt ever to sell a civil transport aircraft, the company has
air safety particularly in the civil helicopter segment. As per signed a memoramdum of understanding with three domestic
the Ambassador, participation by 35 US aerospace companies carriers in India for supply of 18 of its latest AN-148 series
reflected the perception of capability of and opportunities in aircraft, eight in the passenger version and 10 modified for
the Indian aerospace industry. France was represented by Am- cargo. In a deal worth approximately $400 million (Rs 1,800
bassador Jerome Bonnafont who recounted the long history of crore), the delivery is expected to commence in October this
strategic partnership and collaboration between the two na- year. The company is negotiating for another 11 aircraft and
tions civil aviation. There were 13 small and medium French sees a potential market for 200. UAC plans to set up facilities as
enterprises participating in the show. Addressing the gathering joint ventures for training and MRO in India to support its fleet.
as the President, FICCI, Rajan Bharti Mittal, pitched the need Certification by the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation
of the country in a few years at around 2,500 airliners up from (DGCA), however, may be a major hurdle and milestone to cel-
the current level of under 400. ebrate as and when crossed.

The optimism of the MoCA was endorsed by the two BUSINESS AVIATION
global aerospace majors Boeing and Airbus. As per Dinesh According to David Dixon, Regional Vice President, Sales,
Keskar, President Boeing India, the assessments made in Asia-Pacific, Bombardier Business Aircraft, India offered a
2008 indicated that within the Asia-Pacific region that has tremendous opportunity for business aviation and this was
a potential for nearly 9,000 airliners up to 2028, India, the clearly reinforced by the presence of the leading manufactur-
fastest growing market had a potential demand for at least a ers of business jets showcasing their latest innovations.
thousand aircraft valued at $100 billion (Rs 450,000 crore). Dassault, which has the highest market share in the large
Majority of these would be single-aisle aircraft of the A 320 cabin business jet segment in India, presented the Falcon
and Boeing 737 class. Demand estimates for the same pe- large cabin business jets including the best selling Falcon 7X,
riod by Airbus are marginally higher at 1,032 aircraft worth six of which are on order from India. The Falcon 7X was type
$138 billion (Rs 621,000 crore). Airbus availed of the oppor- certified by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in
tunity at India Aviation 2010 to make an impact by formally November 2009 and the first aircraft was delivered at India
handing over two of the latest A 320 aircraft, one to Air In- Aviation 2010 to Religare Voyages Limited, a Delhi-based air
dia and the other to Indigo in the presence of the Minister charter company. Religare also announced plans to launch an
for Civil Aviation and other dignitaries. air ambulance service in the country.
Both the leading OEMs are confident that the Indian Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna Aircraft and Bombardier Learjet
economy is on a growth trajectory and the outlook for the the three manufacturers of business jets from Wichita, US were
aviation industry as a whole in the years ahead is encour- present at the show chasing a market with “incredible potential”
aging. With nearly 400 airliners operated by domestic car- as described by Justin Firestone, Hawker Beechcraft President,
riers and nearly 300 aircraft on order and expected to be Asia-Pacific region. Bombardier demonstrated its commitment
delivered by 2013, India has a respectable standing on the to the growing Indian aviation market by displaying three of its
global scene. At a press briefing, Boeing confirmed its plans market leading business jets at the air show, the Learjet 60 XR,
to establish a $100 million (Rs 450 crore) MRO facility at Challenger 850 and the super large Global 5000.
Nagpur which would be functional by 2013. Boeing’s lat- Encouraged by the growth of the aviation industry in
est offering, the 787 Dreamliner, will also source its floor India, Cessna had on display the Mustang Very Light Jet.
beams from a manufacturer in Nagpur. Encouraged by the Equipped with TCAS II, the company is hopeful of a break-
lucrative market potential, Canadian aerospace major Bom- through in the Indian market. In the past several months,
bardier marked its presence at the air show by fielding its the company has experienced increased interest in Citation
CRJ 700, 900 and 1000 as also the Q 400 turboprop. The business jets, particularly the Citation family, the CJ2+ and
company was also advertising the futuristic single aisle CS Citation XLS+. Indian charter operator Taj Air showcased the
100 and CS 300, scheduled to be launched in 2013, with two aircraft at Indian Aviation 2010 — a Dassault Falcon
capacity ranging from 110 to 145 seats. 2000LX business jet and a Piaggio P180 Avanti II twin turbo-
Presenting a counterview, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al prop that it has added to its fleet.
Baker drew attention to the continuing global economic dif-
ficulties especially in Europe and sounded a note of caution. ROTARY WING SEGMENT
He felt that the current upturn could only be a mirage and If the fixed wing segment of the aircraft manufacturing indus-
that there would be a few difficulties at least till mid 2011. In try was buoyant, the manufacturers of rotary wing aircraft
his assessment, there could be a second economic slowdown were equally enthused by market prospects in India. The mar-
globally after the middle of this year with adverse impact on ket for helicopters in India has been growing by 20 per cent
the global aviation industry. The Indian aviation industry is annually and with fresh opportunities in oil exploration, heli-
an integral part of the system and may not be immune. charters, tourism, emergency medical services and corporate

BIG MACHINES: (L–R)

THE BOEING 777 OF JET
AIRWAYS WAS ONE OF THE
LARGEST AIRCRAFT AT
INDIA AVIATION 2010;
AN AIR INDIA ENGINEER
TAKES A CLOSE LOOK
AT THE AIRLINES’ NEW aviation, the helicopter fleet is 2010 helped place in
A320’S ENGINE expected to sustain a healthy perspective the status
growth rate in the years to of the Indian aviation
come. Paucity of infrastructure industry, the opportu-
dedicated to helicopter opera- nities on offer and the
tions, however, could subdue growth to some extent tremendous potential
AgustaWestland of Italy, which has pegged the requirement for growth. Despite the
of helicopters in India at around 800 over a decade, has re- tragic accident soon
cently established a joint venture company with Tata Motors after the inaugural cer-
for assembling the AW119. With the capacity to produce 30 emony involving a Ki-
machines annually, the unit is to be located in the aerospace ran Jet Trainer aircraft
SEZ near the international airport at Shamshabad, Hyderabad. of the Indian Navy in
The first helicopter is scheduled to be rolled out by the end of which two pilots per-
2011. The facility will meet the requirements for both the civil- ished and a few civilians
ian and military sectors as well as exploit the markets abroad. suffered injuries on the
Indocopters, a Vectra Group company authorised to repre- ground, India Aviation INDIA IS A BIG MARKET.
sent Eurocopter in India, during India Aviation 2010, booked 2010 rekindled hopes
orders for the supply of three AS 350 B3 helicopters, two to amongst the global WE HAVE ACHIEVED
Summit Aviation and one to Morey Group. The company also aerospace majors as- MARVELS IN INDIA
signed an agreement for supply of EC135 Eurocopter to an un- sembled at Hyderabad STARTING WITH G3, G4 AND
named Mumbai-based corporate house. Eurocopter estimates to engage fruitfully with
the demand for helicopters in the country to grow substantially the Indian civil aviation WE CONTINUE TO SELL AND
with the fleet strength doubling in the next five years from the industry. However, the EXPAND IN THIS MARKET
existing 250 aircraft. However, this growth would be contingent government on its part WITH G550. WITH OUR MID
on the required infrastructural growth which would have to be must come forward and
addressed by the government. Eurocopter announced plans to replace the rhetoric SIZE JETS AND TOP ONES AS
strengthen its position in India through investment in support with speedy action in WELL WE AIM TO DOMINATE
facilities such as an MRO as joint venture with Pawan Hans as respect of infrastructure THE MARKET.
also a pilot training facility with a full-flight simulator. development and usher
Bell Helicopter showcased the company’s latest offering, in an era of deregula- —ROGER SPERRY,
the light twin Bell 429 that was certified in July 2009. This mation, level playing field VICE PRESIDENT,
chine was a major attraction at the show. As per Max E Wiley, for the private sector, INTERNATIONAL SALES,
Vice President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, at India Aviation 2010, Bell liberalised tax regimes,
Helicopter has initiated a dialogue with customers among oil proactive policy mak- GULFSTREAM
companies and the corporate segment in India for the sale of ing, corruption free en-
as many as five machines. The company expects this initia- vironment, minimised
tive to materialise into firm orders within a month. Should this red tape, transparency, and efficiency. Then and only then,
happen, it would go down as one of the major success stories can the nation hope to fulfill its aspirations to become a major
of India Aviation 2010. player on the global aviation scene. SP
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS...

The aviation industry of a nation in intimately linked with its For more information and related videos, visit:
economy and serves as a catalyst of growth. India Aviation www.spsaviation.net

INDUSTRY TRAINING
Hands on
Training
By Air Marshal (Retd)
B.K. Pandey, Hyderabad
GM RAO, CHAIRMAN OF GMR INDUSTRIES (LEFT) AND ERIC

BACHELET, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CFM INTERNATIONAL (RIGHT)
INAUGURATING THE CENTRE
C
FM International (CFMI), a 50:50 joint venture be-
tween France’s Snecma (Safran Group) and the
The new CFM Training
General Electric Company of the United States is Centre is equipped to train
the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial
aircraft engines. Fulfilling its commitments to its
500 aeronautical engineers
clientele in 2007, the company on March 2, 2010, annually and will motivate
inaugurated a training centre at the Aerospace Park of the
Special Economic Zone being developed by the GMR group
other aerospace majors across
near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad. the world to gravitate towards
Including initial start-up costs, investment in the centre is
slated to be to the tune of $15 million (Rs 68 crore) in the India to exploit the immense
next decade. potential the country has to
Preceded by three similar facilities established earlier
in the US, France and China, the facility in Hyderabad is offer in aerospace engineering
equipped to train 500 aeronautical engineers annually. It will
provide hands-on training specifically for the maintenance
of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines that power the Airbus
320 and the Boeing 737 Next Generation airliners. As train- President and CEO, CFM International. According to Paul An-
ing aids, the centre has two dedicated engines, the CFM56- dre Chevrin, Vice President (India), CFM International, plans
5B and the CFM56-7B and other tools necessary for both for the future include the establishment of a logistics and en-
theoretical and hands-on training. The centre will also offer gine spare parts services facility at the Aerospace Park SEZ
courses in general familiarisation, line maintenance, bore- to cater to customers in South Asia. However, he went on to
scope inspection, and trend monitoring. clarify that the plan is yet to be finalised and no clear time-
There are about 320 CFM56 engines flying in the country, frame could be declared at this stage.
and more than 360 are on order. In the region, there are more The first batch of students, which consisted of officers
then 500 CFM56 engines in service and an impressive list of from the IAF, commenced training at the newly-inaugurated
clientele including Air India and its subsidiary Air India Ex- facility on March 8, 2010. Apart from customers in India,
press, Jet Airways, GoAir, SpiceJet, as well as airlines in Ban- the facility also plans to provide training to students from the
gladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. As per Eric Bachelet, President Middle East and the Asia Pacific region including countries
and CEO, CFM International, the company is committed to pro- such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
viding a free training package to the customer along with the This new training centre established by CFM will motivate
new engines supplied. The cost of such training in India will be other aerospace majors across the world to gravitate towards
significantly lower than that in France and the US. India to exploit the immense potential the country has to of-
Confined to the civil aviation sector so far, CFM has sup- fer in the regime of aerospace engineering and MRO services.
plied the CFM56-7B engines to power the Boeing Business It will enable the local expertise in this sector to develop and
Jets acquired for the VVIP Squadron of the Indian Air Force boost Hyderabad’s drive to become a major hub for the avia-
(IAF). In 2012, the company will also supply engines to pow- tion industry. Ultimately, it would also propel India to a world
er the fleet of P8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft purchased class status in the field of engineering and maintenance hub.
by the Indian government for its navy. With these contracts, As per G. Mallikarjuna Rao, Chairman, GMR Group, plans
PHOTOGRAPH: CFMI
CFM has successfully forayed into the Indian defence sector. are afoot to bring to the Aerospace Park SEZ all aviation, avi-
“The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is onics and related activities, which are currently outsourced.
the logical location for this new facility. The training offered The aim is to exploit opportunities arising out of offsets ema-
here will be unparalleled in the region,” said Eric Bachelet, nating from defence projects. SP

CIVIL OEM
The company has reinforced its

commitments towards India
At the backdrop of India Aviation 2010, Eric Bachelet,
President and CEO, CFM International, spoke at length to
Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey, Editor of SP’s AirBuz
about the company’s varied initiaives in India
SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Can you brief us about the history of from the two parent companies’ commercial engine desig-
CFM International? nations; GE’s CF6 and Snecma’s M56. The company is now
Eric Bachelet (EB): Driven by the need to develop the 10- acknowledged as the world’s largest aircraft engine manufac-
tonne engine, which was foreseen as a requirement for the turer and supplier with more than 20,250 delivered to over
airline industry in the seventies, Snecma, France and GE Avia- 500 operators globally. CFMI engines powered 55 per cent
tion, USA formed a 50:50 Joint Venture company named CFM of all airliners ordered from 1996 to 2009. Being unique in
International (CFMI) in 1974. The primary responsibilities of more ways than one, this transatlantic partnership has stood
PHOTOGRAPH: ABHISHEK / SP GUIDE PUBNS
CFMI were to manage the programme between GE and Snec- the test of time and is regarded as the most successful JV.
ma and to market and provide support for the product at a
single point of contact for the customer. Both GE and Snecma SP’s: Please elaborate on CFMI’s association with the
are responsible for producing various components and each Indian market. How do you assess the future prospects?
has its own final assembly line. GE is responsible for the high EB: The first lot of CFM56 engines entered service with Jet
pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine. Airways in 1994. Since then, CFMI’s presence in India and
Snecma is responsible for the fan, low pressure turbine, the South Asia has steadily grown. Today, there are more than
gearbox and the exhaust. The engines are assembled by GE 500 CFM56 engines in service or on order in the region pow-
in Evendale, Ohio, USA and by Snecma in Villaroche, France. ering Airbus and Boeing aircraft for Air India, Air India Ex-
The name of the JV and the CFM56 product line are derived press, GoAir, and SpiceJet, as well as airlines in Bangladesh,

CIVIL OEM
Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Indian customers are supported by reduction in fuel consumption and is designated as the LEAP-X
seven in-country field service engineers. India is one of the programme. Elevating engine performance to an entirely new
most dynamic economies in the world and the long-term po- level, the LEAP-X is expected to enter service in or after 2015.
tential is virtually limitless. At CFMI, we are very pleased and However, beyond the LEAP-X is the engine based on Open Ro-
proud to be a part of the aviation infrastructure in India and tor Technology with expected service entry in 2025 or later.
in being a support in the continuous growth of the industry in Employing LEAP-X technology and beyond, the open rotor en-
the region. Both the parent companies of CFM—Snecma and gine will carry an external contra-rotating set of fans at the
General Electric have also invested heavily in India. In 2007, rear and offer up to 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.
Snecma’s 50:50 JV with HAL reached full production capabil- There are a number of technical and regulatory issues to be re-
ity supplying tubes and pipes for CFM56 engines. GE has had solved before the engine is ready to power airliners. However,
large commercial engines, such as the CF6 and the GE90, op- the Open Rotor technology holds great promise.
erating in India since 1982. Additionally, both the companies
have extensive research and development capabilities in the SP’s: What in your view is the real strength of CFMI?
country, located in Bangalore. In the recent past, the company EB: Apart from the fact that CFMI synergises the capabilities
has entered the defence segment in India by way of CFM56- of two of the world’s most renowned manufacturer of aero
7B engines for the Boeing Business Jets and P8I Long Range engines located in two distant continents, the organisation
Maritime Surveillance aircraft. The company has reinforced itself is simple and responsive to the needs of its custom-
its commitments through investment in a training centre that ers. The company assesses and predicts the future needs of
was inaugurated on March 2, 2010. customers, strives to deliver the right product that is world
class provides the best possible product support to stay
SP’s: What are CFMI’s plans to meet the challenges of ahead in the race.
climate change?
EB: The company has constantly been striving to upgrade pro- SP’s: What is your observation of the global market po-
duction standards of the CFM56 engine to achieve reduced fuel tential in the next decade or two?
consumption, lower noise levels and emissions, enhanced life EB: Apart from the fact that CFMI has another 5,700 engines
and reduced maintenance costs. Some hardware changes such to be delivered, it is expected that both Airbus and Boeing
as reduction in the number of high pressure low-pressure tur- would look for new generation engines by the end of the de-
bine blades have been introduced for better performance of cade. This will generate a sizeable demand for our products.
the CFM 7BE, but revolutionary changes are in the offing with Besides, both Airbus and Boeing estimate that around 1,000
the advanced turbofan engine based on composite technology airliners are expected to be inducted into service over the
that would contribute to reduction in all-up weight of the air- next 20 years. We therefore see an ever growing demand for
craft by nearly 500 kg. This engine will offer 10-15 per cent engines in the next two decades. SP
MILITARY INDUSTRY
Indigenous Tech to be in service. New equipment will be integrated.”

The LCH is a dedicated attack helicopter derived from the
advanced light helicopter-Dhruv fitted with weapon systems,
India’s first Light Combat mission systems and crashworthy wheel landing gear with in-
built stealth characteristics.
Helicopter makes first flight HAL informs, a full-fledged qualification test programme
would follow leading to initial operation clearance by Decem-
I
ndia’s first indigenously developed light combat helicop- ber 2011 towards induction into Indian armed forces.
ter (LCH) took to the skies on March 29. The first tech- On being asked about his views about the LCH, Air Chief
nology demonstrator of Indian defence aviation major Marshal (Retd) F.H. Major said, “It would be premature to
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) lifted off for its maiden comment. There will be many more tests done, weapons and
flight at Helicopter Complex, Bangalore. The flight marked equipment integrated in the helicopter. It will take a year or
the successful culmination of three years of design and devel- two for all the qualification tests to be completed.”
opment efforts by Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre of Former Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy said, “New
Helicopter Complex. technology and material would permit truly a light-weight
According to HAL, the performance of the helicopter combat helicopter to be developed in the Indian stables. Most
and systems was satisfactory and the importantly, there is no technical risk in
20 minute flight provided the pilots op- developing this version and there should
portunity to carryout low speed, low not be any worry about time and cost
altitude checks on the various systems over-runs.”
on-board. HAL plans to sell more than 150
PHOTOGRAPH: HAL
HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said, “It of these light combat choppers to
is a two pilot helicopter to be used only the Indian armed forces in the next
for combat operations.” He added, “It will few years. SP
take another 2-3 years for the helicopter —By Sucheta Das Mohapatra

MILITARY INDUSTRY
Super Hornets
in the Australian sky
Five of Boeing’s
Super Hornets
reached the Royal
Australian Air
Force recently. The
remaining 19 of the 25
ordered by the
air force in 2007
will reach by 2011.
F
ive of the 19 F/A-18F Super Hornets ordered Australian Defence Secretary Ian Watt, Air Chief Marshal
by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from Boe- Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Mark
ing, arrived at the air force base in Amberley, Binskin, Chief of Air Force and US Navy Rear Admiral Mark
Queensland. Australia is the first international Skinner were among the other officials present.
customer for the Super Hornet. “The on-schedule arrival of the new Australian Super
Australia had placed an order for 24 Su- Hornets marks the beginning of a new generation of air
per Hornets in March 2007. While five of them were de- power for the RAAF,” said Group Captain Steven Roberton,
livered on March 26, 2010, the remaining 19 aircraft, each Officer Commanding the Super Hornet Wing. “The multirole
equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electroni- Super Hornet is an advanced, networked weapons system
cally Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will arrive in Australia that provides a major leap in capability for the RAAF.
throughout 2010 and 2011. “We are looking forward to the new operational capabil-
The Super Hornets left the US Naval Air Station Lemoore, ity. The Super Hornet employs advanced networked sensors
California, on March 18 and reached Amberley on March 26 that provide its aircrew with total situational awareness,
after scheduled halts in Hawaii, Pago and New Zealand. enabling them to conduct simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-
At a ceremony organised at the air force base, the ground operations,” Roberton continued .
Australian Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, According to Boeing sources, the Super Hornet is a
welcomed the RAAF Super Hornets to Australia. Speaking multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission
during the event, Dennis Muilenburg, President and CEO, in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/
Boeing Defense, Space & Security said, “We at Boeing are night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter es-
honoured to provide the next generation in air combat ca- cort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defences,
pability to the Royal Australian Air Force. We are proud to maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and
deliver it on time and on budget,” said Muilenburg. “The tanker missions.
arrival of the Super Hornets marks a new chapter in the “The Super Hornet, fully equipped and qualified with
partnership between Boeing and Australia that has en- next-generation technology offers a nation’s fighting force
dured for more than 80 years. The exceptional collabora- the widest range of capability and the most affordable, low-
PHOTOGRAPH: BOEING
tion and teamwork between Australia’s Defence Materiel risk solution to solving a growing capability gap in tactical
Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the US Navy aviation,” said a company spokesperson.
and the Hornet Industry Team was the foundation that The company claims to have supplied more than 420
ensured that these new Super Hornets are now ready to aircraft across the globe. SP
begin their RAAF service,” he added. —SP’s Aviation News Desk

Hall of Fame
D
ID GUSTAVE WHITEHEAD with bamboo ribbing and covered in More flights may have taken place
EXECUTE a powered flight silk. A movable horizontal tail provided over the next year or so, but without
on August 14, 1901? If pitch control. For banking and turning, reliable documentation. Later, White-
he did indeed get off the Whitehead shifted his weight more to head lost an eye when struck by a steel
ground in his “Airplane No. one side than the other. The craft had chip in a factory. He was also subject
21”—and some aviation historians to increasing heart problems. He
believe there is evidence he did— continued to work and invent, but
the feat significantly preceded the profited no more from his inven-
Wright brothers’ first flight of De- tions than he did from aircraft
cember 17, 1903. and engines. He died of a massive
Gustave was born Gustave Albin heart attack on October 10, 1927,
Weisskopf on January 1, 1874, in leaving his family nothing but
Bavaria, Germany. He was obsessed their home and $8 (Rs 363.44).
with flying from an early age. He Whitehead’s aviation innovations
met and corresponded with Otto Lil- included the use of aluminium in
ienthal while learning some of the engines and propellers, wheels for
principles of flight. He and a friend take-off and landing, ground-ad-
also caught and tethered birds in justable propeller pitch, individual
an attempt to discover how they control of propellers, folding wings
flew—an activity which was soon for towing on roads, silk for wing
stopped by the police. After emi- covering, and concrete paved run-
grating to America, he built an air- GUSTAVE ways. He built more than 30 air-
craft powered by a steam engine in
1899. Whether or not the machine WHITEHEAD craft engines and sold them as far
west as California.
ever got airborne, it was certainly
travelling fast enough on one oc- (1874 – 1927) Does the evidence for his
claimed first flight add up? There
casion to crash into a building and are ardent Whitehead supporters
hurt the passengers. Whitehead, at Obsessed with flying from and there are scoffers. No photo-
the controls, escaped injury. Later,
he constructed an aviation work-
an early age, Gustave built graphs of any of Whitehead’s air-
craft in flight were ever produced;
shop in the yard of his house. Local an aircraft powered by a so it is difficult to conclusively
teenagers intrigued by his activities prove the reports. Apparently he
became his unpaid helpers. steam engine in 1899. Later, could not afford to demonstrate
Whitehead named his experi-
mental machines in numerical
he constructed an aviation powered flights later. So they were
never documented. The failure of
order and completed Airplane No. workshop in the yard of his his feat to gain recognition may
21 in early 1901. According to a
report in the Bridgeport Sunday
house. He built more than have had something to do with his
never becoming an American citi-
Herald, his first successful pow- 30 aircraft engines and sold zen; anglicising his name was not
ered flight occurred on August 14, enough. The Smithsonian Institu-
1901, at Fairfield, Connecticut, US. them to customers as far tion, the US Government’s premier
The flight covered a distance of west as California. research organisation, refused to
half a mile at a height of up to 50 ft. even consider the possibility that
The reporter, Richard Howell, was anyone beat the Wright brothers.
also an artist, and he illustrated his Whitehead never claimed that he
article with an interesting sketch built and flew a practical flying
of the beautiful craft in flight. The flight two engines—a ground engine and a machine—that honour rightfully be-
reportedly included a change of direc- flying one—both fuelled by a single cal- longs to the Wright brothers. Neither
tion to avoid a clump of chestnut trees cium carbide (acetylene) generator. The did his work have any effect on early
and ended in a safe landing without ground engine was used for moving on aviation or the development of aero-
damaging the plane. Later claims by four wheels on the ground and during nautics. But Gustave Whitehead may
Whitehead and the affidavits of his the take-off roll. As the machine got indeed have built and tested an air-
helpers (obtained more than 30 years airborne, fuel to the ground engine was craft, fitted with a pair of silken wings
after the event) fleshed out the details. cut, with all power then going to the and an engine—perhaps good enough
Supporting evidence, including ground main flight engine which powered two for getting airborne and traversing a
photographs taken in 1901, reveals propellers in front. The engines were short distance, if nothing else. He had a
Airplane No. 21 as a high-wing mono- steam driven, but used the expansion dream that more advanced flying ma-
plane with an enclosed fuselage and force of acetylene instead of the much chines would one day frequent “... the
aerodynamically correct wing charac- heavier steam system. No external only universal highway”. SP
teristics like dihedral angle, camber starting aids, like a strong headwind or —Group Captain (Retd)
and angle of incidence. It was built catapult, were necessary. Joseph Noronha, Goa

NEWS Digest
MILITARY IAF OPERATIONALISES NEW AIRFIELD QuickRoundUp
IN RAJASTHAN SECTOR
Asia-Pacific
AEROJET
IAF’s first batch of An-32
arrive in Ukraine • Aerojet, a GenCorp company, and
The first batch of five military Orbital Sciences Corporation, along
transport aircraft of Indian with Aerojet’s Russian partner, SNTK,
Air Force arrived at Kyiv air- have announced that a series of
port on March 9 to undergo NK-33 rocket engine tests conducted
overhauling and upgrada- in Samara, Russia were successfully
tion programme at facilities completed in support of the develop-
of 410 plant of civil aviation ment of Orbital’s Taurus II space
State Enterprise (Kyiv). The launch vehicle. The purpose of the
representative office of India extended-time testing of the NK-33
has been established at the engine was to demonstrate a hot-fire
Plant 410. On June 15, 2009, duration equal to two times a normal
the contract for moderni- Taurus II acceptance testing and
On April 6, the Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik
sation of 105 An-32s fleet launch profile duty cycle.
of Indian Air Force (IAF) commissioned a newly constructed airfield at Phalodi in the Ra-
was signed. According to jasthan sector. The airfield, located in the centre of the Jaisalmer- AIRBUS
this agreement, the first 40 Jodhpur-Bikaner triangle would bridge the long felt gap between
airplanes will be upgraded in these bases along the borders with Pakistan in the south-western • United has formalised a com-
Ukraine, the other 65 – at No. sector. The airfield has been equipped with modern infrastruc- mitment originally announced in
1BRD in Kanpur. ture to undertake air operations on a 24X7 basis involving all December 2009, signing a firm order
types of fighters, transport and rotary wing aircraft. The inaugu- for 25 A350-900 XWB aircraft, the
Americas ration ceremony comprised fly past by various fighter formations newest twin-engine wide body from
and landing of the first fighter aircraft—a Jaguar—at the base. Airbus. The aircraft will be powered
Boeing Hydrogen Powered With specific consideration to the geopolitical scenario and by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Vehicle takes shape the need for in-built flexibility in operational requirements, for- Deliveries of the aircraft will begin
The Boeing Company has mation of a new air base at Phalodi covering roughly 4,000 acres in 2016 and run through 2019. The
begun to build Phantom Eye, had been approved by the Indian government in April 2000. The A350 XWB is a new family of mid-size
its first unmanned, liquid- airfield was initially inaugurated on July 31, 2001 with the es- wide body airliners.
hydrogen powered, high alti- tablishment of a Care & Maintenance Unit (C&MU) under South-
tude long endurance (HALE) Western Air Command (SWAC) which also foresaw the construc- AUSTRALIA
demonstrator aircraft. Phan- tion of the full-fledged air base. The government sanction for
tom Eye’s entire propulsion establishment of Air Force Station, Phalodi was accorded in July • Australia’s Minister for Defence
system—including the engine, 2006 and the station has been functioning since then. • Personnel, Materiel and Science, has
turbo chargers and engine announced that the Defence Science
control system—successfully and Technology Organisation and
completed an 80-hour test the US Air Force Research Laboratory
in an altitude chamber on package, significantly improv- adds stability fins on the back have successfully completed a sec-
March 1, clearing the way ing precision when compared of each weapon. ond hypersonic flight at the Woomera
for the propulsion system to existing Paveway II LGBs. Test Range.
and UAV to be assembled. The Paveway II Plus systems Northrop Grumman demon-
The twin-engine Phantom were launched from alti- strates capabilities F BELL HELICOPTER
Eye demonstrator will have tudes ranging from 10,000- Northrop Grumman Corpo-
a 150-foot wingspan and be 30,000 ft against a 24’ x 24’ ration on March 10 an- • Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc.
capable of flying for more billboard target angled at nounced that it successfully company, has announced that it has
than four days at altitudes 45 degrees. Two GBU-10s demonstrated its LITENING been awarded a contract by the US
up to 65,000 ft while carry- and four GBU-12s equipped advanced targeting capabili- Army to modify the final 30 OH-58D
ing a payload of up to 450 with MAU-209C/B computer ties on the US Navy’s premier aircraft under the Kiowa Warrior
Ibs. Phantom Eye is designed control groups were released fighter/attack aircraft, the F/ Safety Enhancement Program (SEP).
to maintain a persistent from a pair of F-16D Viper A-18E/F Super Hornet, mark- These 30 aircraft will form Lot 13 of
presence in the stratosphere aircraft from Eglin’s 40th ing the eighth US combat the Kiowa Warrior SEP programme.
over a specific area, while Flight Test Squadron. Each aircraft to fly the advanced Work on the aircraft will begin in
performing missions that successfully initiated laser targeting system. “During the March 2010. Completed aircraft are
could include intelligence, acquisition at the expected 1.5 hour flight conducted at scheduled to be delivered back to
reconnaissance, surveillance, time and guided to the the Naval Air Warfare Centre the Army at a rate of two per month
and communication. intended target. Paveway II Weapons Division, California, beginning in July 2010.
LGB guidance kits improve US. LITENING demonstrated
Lockheed Martin’s Paveway weapon accuracy and reduce its performance, flexibility BOEING
II Plus Laser Guided Bomb risk to the US and allied and interoperability under
Lockheed Martin’s Paveway ground forces by converting operationally representa- • Boeing has announced that it will
II Plus Laser Guided Bomb gravity weapons into preci- tive conditions,” said Mike accelerate planned rate increases on
successfully completed a sion-guided munitions. Each Lennon, vice president of both the 777 and 747 programmes
series of six flight tests March kit consists of a computer Targeting and Surveillance due to increased demand. The
3 at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. control group, which is the Programmes for Northrop company will accelerate the 777
The Paveway II Plus LGB uses front-end guidance system, Grumman’s Targeting Sys- programme’s rate increase to seven
an enhanced laser guidance plus an aerofoil group which tems Division.

NEWS Digest
APPOINTMENTS Air Force Chief of Staff
General Norton A. Schwartz
QuickRoundUp
INDIAN AIR FORCE delivered the first of 28 Lock-
Air Marshal A.S. Karnik took over as the new Director General heed Martin C-130J Super airplanes per month (from five per
(Inspection & Safety) at Air HQ on April 1, with the superan- Hercules airlifters to the month) by approximately six months,
nuation of the outgoing DG, Air Marshal T.S. Randhawa. The 317th Airlift Group at Dyess from early 2012 to mid-2011. The
post of Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) HQ WAC vacated by Air Air Force Base. Schwartz 747 programme’s planned produc-
Marshal Karnik has been filled up by the newly promoted Air flew the C-130J to Dyess tion rate increase to two airplanes
Marshal Arup Raha. from Little Rock Air Force per month (from 1.5 per month) will
Base in Arkansas. While move from mid-2012 to mid-2013.
AIR INDIA delivering the first aircraft, Suppliers for both the 777 and 747
Air India has announced the appointment of Captain Gustav the air force’s top uniformed will be prepared to support the ac-
Baldauf as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO). officer said that the C-130 celerated rate increases.
The national carrier last month also appointed four has been flying in the skies
independent directors, namely, former Indian Air Force Chief, over Abilene for almost 50 CAE
Fali H. Major, Mahindra & Mahindra Vice Chairman Anand years, noting that the latest
Mahindra, Ambuja Realty Group Chairman Harsh Neotia and, version of the backbone of • CAE has announced that it has sold
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry our tactical airlift capability three CAE 7000 Series full-flight sim-
Secretary General Amit Mitra. will continue the great legacy ulators (FFS) to Lion Air, Indonesia’s
built by generations of avia- leading domestic airline. One FFS is
LOCKHEED MARTIN tors. The new aircraft will for the ATR72-500 aircraft and the
Lockheed Martin announced the appointment of Christopher replace the existing Dyess other two for the Boeing 737-900ER
Gregoire as the new Vice President and Controller on March 29. fleet of 33 aging C-130s flown model. CAE will also deliver two CAE
by the 317th Airlift Group. Simfinity integrated procedures train-
NORTHROP GRUMMAN The C-130J Super Hercules ers. This brings the total FFS sales
Northrop Grumman Corporation has named Patrick M. Ant- fleet will be delivered over that CAE has announced to date
kowiak Vice President and General Manager of the Advanced the next two years with final during fiscal year 2010 to 19.
Concepts & Technologies Division for the Company’s Elec- delivery in 2012.
tronic Systems sector. EADS
RAYTHEON
Raytheon Company has named David L. Jensen as Vice Presi-
CIVIL AVIATION • EADS Defence & Security has
delivered its 1000th digital map
dent of communications for its Intelligence and Information
Asia-Pacific generator system to BAE Systems for
Systems (IIS) business. use in the Eurofighter. Map systems
SAGEM Kingfisher brings JAA Pilot support helicopter and aircraft pilots
Sagem (Safran group) has appointed Larry Alexandre, as Ground Training to India by showing flight data and potential
Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary Sagem Avionics, Inc. threats on digital maps. The digital
map generator is part of a product
SAAB family of navigation and tactical
Defence and Security company Saab AB, has appointed Inderjit information systems which Defence
Sial as the Country Head of Saab International India AB. Sial Electronics has developed for many
takes on this position from Jan Widerstrom, who will be mov- different types of military aircraft.
ing on to the role of Head-Asia Pacific Region, Saab AB. Apart from the Eurofighter and
Tornado, digital map generators are
EUROCOPTER used in helicopters of various types
Matthieu Louvot has been appointed Vice President, Head and makes.
of Corporate Strategy & Company Development, Eurocopter
Group. Louvot succeeds Andreas Loewenstein. Kingfisher Airlines, India’s FOKKER
only Five Star airline by
Skytrax, announced it has • A contract has been signed for the
More orders for Boeing allows customers to easily acquired the capability to sale to Peru of two Fokker 60 Mari-
Direct Attack Munition Kits upgrade the weapon in the offer Joint Aviation Authori- time Patrol Aircraft, one additional
Boeing has received a con- field to provide additional ties Airline Transport Pilot engine and a limited amount of spare
tract modification from the capability, such as laser guid- License (JAA ATPL) Pilot parts. The aircraft will be transferred
US Air Force for the fiscal ance and extended range. Ground Training course. The to Peru this year. The final sale may
year 2010 production of Boeing has produced more course, the first of its kind figure a total of fouraircraft.
more than 6,000 joint direct than 2,10,000 JDAM kits in India outside Europe and
attack munition (JDAM) kits. since 1998. the US, has been made pos- GE AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Boeing will deliver the kits sible by virtue of a technical
from this order in 2011 and Lockheed Martin C-130J at arrangement with Aviation • General Electric Aircraft Engines,
2012. The FY2010 produc- Dyess Air Force Base Pacific Europe. The JAA has been awarded a $326 million
tion is the third procurement ATP ground theory courses modification to a previously awarded
of a six-year contract Boeing comprises 14 aeronautical firm-fixed-price contract to exercise
received in January 2008. subjects covering 650 hours an option for 80 F414-GE-400
JDAM is a low-cost guidance of study time, conducted in a engines and modules and two spare
kit that converts existing classroom or through a dis- engines for the US Navy. The F414-
500, 1,000- and 2,000 Ib tance learning programme. GE-400 engine powers the F/A-18E/F
unguided free-fall bombs into Considered an academic and EA-18G aircraft. Work is expected
accurately guided “smart” challenge for its extensive to be completed by May 2012.
weapons. Its modular design and indepth characteristics,

NEWS Digest
SHOW CALENDAR ROLLS-ROYCE AND HAL ANNOUNCE
NEW MANUFACTURING JOINT VENTURE IN INDIA
QuickRoundUp
27 April – 29 April
AEROMART MONTREAL Rolls-Royce, the global GRIPEN NG
2010 power systems Com-
Convention Center, Canada pany and Hindustan • The flight test programme with
www.aeromart.tm.fr Aeronautics Limited Gripen NG Demonstrator continues
(HAL) the premier according to plan at the Saab facili-
28 April – 30 April aerospace company ties in Linköping. “We are now testing
GLOBAL SECURITY INDIA in India, signed an all the tactical systems, such as the
2010 agreement to create AESA radar and the new communica-
The Ashok Hotel Convention a manufacturing joint tions system. The test programme
Centre, New Delhi, India. venture company in is very extensive, and the unusually
www.globalsecindia.com Bangalore. harsh cold and snowy winter here
The new compa- in Sweden has challenged the
4 May – 6 May ny, a 50:50 joint ven-
programme schedule but we are now
EBACE2010 quickly catching up”, said Mattias
ture between Rolls-
Geneva International Airport, Bergström, the Gripen NG Demonstra-
Royce and HAL, will undertake the manufacture of compressor
Geneva, Switzerland tor project manager.
www.ebace.aero shroud rings. Construction of a new purpose-built production
facility, incorporating the latest in modern manufacturing tech- KOREA
10 May – 12 May niques, will commence in 2010 with component production be-
ELECTRONIC WARFARE ginning in 2012. • The Korean Utility Helicopter
2010 CONFERENCE & Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “India is Prototype #1 of the Surion has com-
EXHIBITION extremely important to Rolls-Royce and we are delighted to an- pleted its first flight at Sachon airport
Estrel Convention Center, nounce this new joint venture company with our partners HAL. successfully. The Surion performed
Berlin, Germany This marks an exciting new phase of our long-standing partner- hovering and taxiing for about 30
www.shephard.co.uk ship with HAL and underscores our commitment to India and minutes.
the aerospace industry here. India is a country that is full of
11 May – 13 May potential for Rolls-Royce and we look forward to continuing to LOCKHEED MARTIN
CORPORATE AVIATION develop our business here in the future.”
SAFETY SEMINAR Rolls-Royce has a significant presence in India stretching • Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed
Hilton El Conquistador, back over 78 years and now has more than 1,300 engines in Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth,
Tucson, Ariz service in India, across the company’s four global market sec- Texas, is being awarded an $11.8
www.nbaa.org tors —civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine, and energy. million modification to a previ-
The Rolls-Royce partnership with HAL is now in its 54th ously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee
17 May – 18 May year. HAL became a supplier to Rolls-Royce in 2003, exporting contract to definitise the requirement
AIR POWER ASIA 2010 ring forgings for use in one of the world’s most technologi-
to provide and install P5 Combat
Goodwood Park Hotel, Training System Group A provisions
cally advanced civil aero engines—the Trent. The relationship
Singapore into all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Low
continues to prosper, with HAL producing the Hawk Advanced
www.airpowerasia.com Rate Initial Production Lot 2 Aircraft.
Jet Trainer’s Adour Mk871 engine to train India’s next-gen- Work is expected to be completed in
18 May – 20 May eration pilots. • February 2011.
AIRCRAFT INTERIORS
EXPO 2010 NORTHROP GRUMMAN
Hamburg Messe, Germany this is a great opportunity for and efficiency of the air-
www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com the Indian pilots to enhance craft. SpiceJet has recently • Northrop Grumman Corp.,
their knowledge and qualify announced its new schedule Integrated Systems, Bethpage, has
18 May – 19 May for another licence. These with strengthening of its been awarded a $94.6 million not-to-
CHINA AVIATION MRO exams are valid for seven connectivity to the Northeast. exceed advance acquisition contract
SUMMIT 2010 years, by which time a pilot Agartala was announced as for long-lead materials and support
Renaissance Beijing must acquire the flying re- the 19th destination in its associated with the manufacture
Chaoyang Hotel, Beijing, quirements to qualify for network with the addition of and delivery of four low rate initial
China a JAA ATPL. a daily flight on the Kolkata- production Lot 3 E-2D Advanced
www.aviationmrochina.com Agartala-Kolkata route effec- Hawkeye aircraft. Contract funds will
Boeing 737-800 in tive April 15, 2010. not expire at the end of the current
25 May – 27 May SpiceJet fleet Sanjay Aggarwal, Chief fiscal year and is expected to be
HELI & UV PACIFIC 2010 SpieceJet has received a Executive Officer, SpiceJet completed by May 2011.
Queensland, Australia brand new Boeing 737-800 said, “We are excited to
www.shephard.co.uk airplane. This takes Spice- welcome the 20th airplane to RAYTHEON
Jet’s fleet size to 20 airplanes our fleet. Having a young and
8 June – 13 June with an average age of three state-of-the-art fleet allows us • Raytheon Company’s Missile
ILA BERLIN AIR SHOW 2010 years. With five more new to offer reliable and comfort- Systems business has established a
Berlin-Schoenefeld Airport airplane deliveries scheduled able service to our custom- missile defence productline. Already
www.ila-berlin.com in the next year, the airline ers.” In keeping with Spice- a world leader in missile defense,
is set to grow its fleet size Jet’s practice of naming each the company’s new Air and Missile
14 June – 18 June to 25. This new 737-800 of its airplanes after a spice, Defence Systems product line will
EUROSATORY 2010 airplane with advanced cock- the new aircraft is christened create even greater alignment with its
Paris pit technology and blended ‘Vanilla’. It will carry the tail Missile Defence Agency customer.
www.eurosatory.com winglets improves safety sign VT-SGF.

NEWS Digest
MRO Facilities for Aircraft
in India
engines sold to date, the
GEnx is the fastest-selling
lenger and Global aircraft
operators attending the 2010
QuickRoundUp
On March 11, the Minister engine in GE’s history. Based FIFA World Cup (June 11 to
for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel on the proven architecture July 11, 2010). • The Australian Ministry of Defence
gave the following informa- of the GE90, the GEnx en- has announced that Raytheon Aus-
tion in Lok Sabha on Mainte- gine will succeed GE’s CF6 tralia has been awarded the training
nance, Repair and Overhaul engine. Compared to the CF6 INDUSTRY support services contract to support
(MRO) facilities for aircraft engine, the GEnx engine will Super Hornet training systems at
in India: offer 15 per cent improved Asia-Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Base Am-
• The National Aviation Com- fuel efficiency, which trans- berley. Raytheon Australia will provide
pany of India Limited (NACIL) lates to 15 per cent less CO2. HCL Technologies launches maintenance, logistics, and training
has fullfledged MRO facility at The engine achieves these Centre of Excellence services to support the Super Hornet
Mumbai which takes care of improvements with aerody- The Boeing Company and flight simulators, visual environment
the requirements of B747- namic advancements that HCL Technologies Ltd have maintenance trainers and electronic
400 and A310 aircraft and enable higher pressures and inaugurated a new Centre classrooms.
engines/APUs/components improved energy extraction of Excellence to support test
and accessories fitted on from a more compact core and evaluation operations ROLLS-ROYCE
these aircraft. architecture that has signifi- at Boeing. Specifically, the
• Air India and Boeing are cantly fewer parts. facility will provide engi- • Rolls-Royce has been awarded
working on setting up an neering applications design, a MissionCare contract by the
MRO facility at Nagpur to Raytheon to enhance air development and support for US Naval Air Systems Command.
undertake major checks of traffic management systems applications that the Boeing Under the eleven-month contract,
B777 and B787 aircraft. Air Raytheon Company has been Test & Evaluation (BT&E) which includes four option years,
India is also planning to set awarded a contract by the organisation uses on vari- logistics support will be provided
up MRO facility at Mumbai Airports Authority of India to ous products. BT&E provides for the Rolls-Royce AE 1107C-Lib-
for GE90/GenxEngine as GE automate air traffic control effective and efficient test and erty engines that power the US
Network partner. services at the Chennai In- evaluation services that sup- Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey and
• One more MRO facility is ternational Airport. Raytheon port business programmes the US Air Force Special Operations
being set up by Air India at will install AutoTrac III, its across Boeing. Command’s CV-22 Osprey.
Thiruvananthapuram for next-generation air traffic
MRO requirement of B737 management system, to help Americas SIKORSKY
aircraft, for which the han- reduce delays in aircraft
gar construction is nearing arrival and departure. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s • Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and PZL
completion. new system will also have first vertical landing Mielec, its company in Poland,
• Air India is also proposing real-time meteorological A supersonic Lockheed have announced the completion of
to construct a hangar at Delhi information to assist air traf- Martin F-35B Lightning II final assembly on the first S-70i
to cater for the major checks fic controllers in adjusting to stealth fighter rode more Black Hawk helicopter, an interna-
of B777 and B787 aircraft. changing weather conditions. than 41,000 Ibs of thrust to a tional variant of the Black Hawk
These MRO facilities In addition to the Chennai vertical landing, confirming helicopter. This new international
can also support third party International Airport, Ray- its required ability to land in variant is the first Black Hawk heli-
operators. theon is upgrading air traffic confined areas both ashore copter assembled in Europe using
management systems at the and afloat. “The vertical a global supply chain. Sikorsky
Air India now GEnx Service Chhatrapati Shivaji Inter- landing onto a 95-foot square Aircraft is a subsidiary of United
Provider national Airport in Mumbai pad showed that we have Technologies Corp. The helicopter,
GE Aviation and India’s and at the Indira Gandhi the thrust and the control to a new aircraft in the Sikorsky
national carrier Air India International Airport in New manoeuvere accurately both product line, also is the first rotor
have signed a GE Branded Delhi. AutoTrac III features a in free air and in the descent wing aircraft to be produced at
Services Agreement (GBSA) new generation of flight and through ground effect,” said PZL Mielec, a longtime fixed wing
under which GE Aviation will surveillance data processing F-35 Lead STOVL Pilot Gra- manufacturer in Poland.
provide technical support as systems to ensure air traffic ham Tomlinson.
Air India offers maintenance, safety. The system’s modern, UK
repair and overhaul (MRO) open architecture design Europe
services for the GEnx-1B and high performance is • The Nimrod MRA4 has made
engine and further advances fully adaptable and scaleable Thales chosen to modernise significant steps forward with the
its plans to become a global to fit any air traffic manage- IFF for India’s MiG-29 UK Ministry of Defence formally
MRO service provider. Under ment environment from Thales has been awarded a accepting the aircraft and declaring
the GBSA, Air India will be simple tower automation to a contract by Russian Aircraft it “ready to train”. This declaration
licensed to perform main- fully integrated multi-centre Corporation MiG (RSK-MiG) follows the type acceptance of the
tenance and overhaul work system. to deliver IFF Combined In- MRA4 which allows the delivery of
on the GEnx-1B engine. GE terrogator Transponder (CIT) production aircraft and the start of
will provide Air India with Bombardier customer ser- and Cryptographic National aircrew training, and the handover
assistance on overhaul work vices to support World Cup Secure Mode (NSM), for the of the first production aircraft, desig-
scoping and component re- Bombardier Customer retrofit of the MiG-29 multi- nated PA04, following a demanding
pair licenses, comprehensive Services, in collaboration role fighter aircraft of the series of acceptance tests. Equipped
material support and train- with ExecuJet South Africa, Indian Air Force. The first CIT with more than 90 antennae and sen-
ing. The GEnx-1B engine will announced on March 31 that will be delivered to RSK-MiG sors and containing over six million
power Boeing’s 787 aircraft. it will have a comprehensive in 2010 and the first building lines of software code, the MRA4 is
Air India has 27 GEnx-1B- team on site in South Africa block of a comprehensive se- able to scan an area, the size of the
powered Boeing 787 aircraft from June 6 to July 16, 2010 cure identification capability UK every 10 seconds.
on order. With about 1,300 to support all Learjet, Chal- in India by mid-2011. •

Word
First
LAST
SAFETY,
T
wo navy pilots Commander S. K. Maurya and Lieu- dous impact on the spec-
tenant Commander Rahul Nair, were killed when tators, they are trained
the HJT16 Kiran Mk2 trainer, built by Hindustan to operate within clearly
Aeronautics Ltd, crashed minutes before noon in a defined limits. Yet, de-
crowded civilian locality near Begumpet Airport in the heart spite all precautions,
of Hyderabad. The aircraft was part of the navy’s aerobat- none can provide total
ics team Sagar Pawan that was staging an aerial display guarantee that nothing
over Begumpet airport on the occasion of inauguration of
India Aviation 2010, the largest civil aviation air show in the
will go wrong. And it did
go horribly wrong on the
There is an
country organised jointly by the Ministry of Civil Aviation fateful morning of March imperative need
and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and 3, 2010 at Begumpet. that the entire
Industry (FICCI). While pulling out of a near vertical dive at
low level, the aircraft spun to the right and slammed into a
With the wisdom of
hindsight, it is easy to
gamut of aerial
three storied building. be critical. However, the displays by military
It cannot be denied that military aviation is accompanied event was a monumen- be subjected
aircraft
with risk which is sought to be minimised through fastidi-
ous maintenance of aircraft, clearly defined and continu-
tal tragedy as two young
lives were squandered
to thorough and
ously evolving operating procedures, rigorous training, and needlessly, possibly ow- critical review
periodic verification of skills. Formation aerobatics are per- ing to organisational jointly by military
haps the most demanding of the exercises military pilots are
required to undertake in peacetime. The Indian Air Force
inadequacies. While the
investigating agency will
and civil aviation
(IAF) has been operating a nine-aircraft formation aerobatic strive to establish the
team for over three decades now. Initially known as ‘Thun- cause of the accident,
derbolts’, the team was later rechristened ‘Surya Kiran Aer- prima facie, it is evident
obatic Team (SKAT)’. The IAF also has a four-aircraft heli- that lessons from the
copter display team named ‘Sarang’. Both the teams have a numerous spectacular accidents in the past both at home
record of accidents while rehearsing for air displays. Flying and abroad during formation or single aircraft aerobatic
accidents during international air shows such as the one in displays, have rather tragically not been learnt. As foolproof
question comes under media glare owing to the presence guarantee against mishap is not a practical possibility, it is
of high-profile spectators. Quite understandably, the crash incumbent on the organisation to take all reasonable pre-
at Hyderabad also raised doubts about military aviation in caution to ensure a high level of safety for life and prop-
India in respect of air safety standards, the aging fleet of erty on the ground. Apart from the propriety of introducing
trainer and operational aircraft, and the agonisingly tardy aerial stunts by military aircraft during an exposition which
procurement procedures of the Indian Ministry of Defence. was fundamentally a civil aviation trade show, the issue
However, for the Indian Navy, formation aerobatics is that is likely to agitate the public is the mindless decision
relatively a new experience with the four-aircraft Sagar to authorise such an exercise over densely-populated areas.
Pawan Aerobatic Team (SPAT) raised in 2003. A few years Besides the investigating agency ought to assess the level of
ago, the Indian Navy lost two IL-38 Maritime Surveillance professionalism and seriousness with which the managers
Aircraft during a formation flypast. Earlier, a Tu-142 aircraft of SPAT approached the whole exercise. Were the members
participating in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi failed to of the aerobatic team given adequate time and opportunity
maintain its assigned position in the stream of aircraft of to familiarise with the new operating environment, extent of
mixed types and overtook the aircraft ahead, a lapse that habitation, bird activity, and high obstructions in the area?
had the potential for disastrous consequences besides inter- These considerations may appear elementary, but if ignored
national embarrassment. their cumulative impact could be serious.
Formation aerobatic teams are made up of pilots in the In the final analysis, given the disconcerting frequency of
prime of youth with impeccable professional record, excep- accidents during air displays in India, there is an imperative
tional flying skills, and balanced temperament. Training need that in the interest of safety of those in the air as also
ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA
schedules are carefully calibrated and progress of individual of those on the ground, the entire gamut of aerial displays by
pilots as well as that of the group as a formation aerobatic military aircraft be subjected to thorough and critical review
team is monitored closely. An essential ingredient of training jointly by military and civil aviation authorities at the appro-
is to develop a strong sense of self-discipline. The team is priate level, and comprehensive guidelines be formulated. SP
trained to perform as one. Though conscious of the tremen- — Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

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

AW101 VVIP HELICOPTER DEAL IS CLOSED

On Way to • Top End Jets

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THREE PARAMOUNT AIRCRAFT GROUNDED

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Towards a safer world.

Making Ideas Fly

COCKPIT OF C-27J BY ALENIA AERONAUTICA:

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NEW PLAYER: AIRBUS MILITARY’S

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AW101 FOR VVIP USE

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FLYING HIGH: FALCON 7X

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FIRST FLIGHT: GULFSTREAM

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Present Future Perfect

ON THE MOVE: CABTOPS AT

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