Tag: Technology

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SU-75 CHECKMATE AIRCRAFT: SHOULD INDIA JUMP INTO IT

 

Query

There has been a recent report that Russia has reduced the price of SU-75. Do you think it will be a good time for India to get the fighter jets?

 

Inputs (in random order)

 

  • It is not a simple issue with a yes or no answer.

 

  • There are many aspects and concerns attached to it.

 

  • The aircraft is not combat-proven and the project has not matured.

 

  • A Cost-benefit analysis needs to be carried out.

 

  • Russia needs funding and development partners for the project.

 

  • Can we extract more of the deal given above?

 

  • How does the project affect the Atmanirbharta?

 

  • Russian capacity to produce and supply because of the Ukraine war and Sanctions.

 

  • How much technology will come into the Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem?

 

  • How does the aircraft stand against the other fifth-generation aircraft, especially the ones with our adversaries?

 

  • To some extent the world geopolitical situation and international cooperation etc. to be considered.

 

  • India had earlier agreed to co-develop of SU-57 but reportedly pulled out due to cost, time delay, work share and technology sharing issues.

 

  • SU 75 seems to be a derivative of SU 57 aircraft.

 

  • Also, the dilemma related to force structure planning about the investment in the new generation aircraft or the modern Drones. Drawing lessons from the recent wars and the success of drones.

 

  • A drop in demand for Russian aircraft due to their perceived sub-par performance during the Ukraine war.

 

Coming Up: Detailed Article on the subject.

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

 

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EXPANDING BOEING IN INDIA

 

 

Prime Minister of India will inaugurate American aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s new state-of-the-art global engineering and technology innovation campus (Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center {BIETC}),  in Devanahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru on 19 Jan 24.

 

The 43-acre campus, built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crore, is said to be the largest such Boeing facility outside the U.S. According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), it will be a cornerstone for partnership with the startup, private, and government ecosystem in India and will help develop next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

 

Additionally, the PM will also launch the Boeing Sukanya programme, which aims to support the entry of more women from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector. The programme will provide opportunities for girls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector. For young girls, the program will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. The programme will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots.

 

Boeing

 

Boeing is one of the largest global aerospace manufacturers, with its corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and it employs approximately 153,000 personnel. The company designs, manufactures and sells aeroplanes, aircraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunication equipment and missiles around the world. Besides military aircraft, it has over ten thousand commercial aircraft operating all over the world.

 

Boeing started 107 years ago when American businessman William E. Boeing started a company named Aero Products for the manufacture of aeroplanes. About a year later, its name was changed to Boeing Airplane Company. The first aircraft was designed in 1917 and the World War I was the biggest turning point for the company. After, WW I Boeing started making commercial aircraft and continued to expand.  The company has taken over 32 other companies so far.

 

Some of the military aircraft/helicopters manufactured by Boeing are:-

      • C-17 Globemaster III
      • CH/MH-47 Chinook
      • V-22 Osprey
      • AH-6 Light Attack Helicopter
      • AH-64D Apache
      • F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Navy fighter aircraft
      • F-15E Strike Eagle tactical fighter
      • Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight (Vertol Aircraft Corp.)
      • Boeing AH-6.
      • Boeing Vertol YUH-61.
      • Boeing Vertol XCH-62.
      • MH-139 Gray Wolf (with Leonardo S.p.A.)

 

India Engagement.

 

Boeing has been a partner of India’s aerospace sector for almost eight decades, both with the commercial and defence aviation sectors. Boeing’s relationship with India goes back to the 1940s when the Indian Air Force inducted the Harvard Advanced Trainer and DC-3 military transport aircraft.

 

Boeing’s India operations include headquarters in Delhi and field service offices in Mumbai, Hindan, and Arkonam.  

 

Military aircraft from Boeing inducted into the Indian Defence forces include:-

      • A fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs (India is the biggest operator of these aircraft in the world, outside of the US).
      • 15 CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter.
      • 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
      • Modified Boeing transport aircraft for VIP duties.
      • Poseidon P-8I aircraft for IN (designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions).

 

Besides Military aircraft, various versions of Boeing aircraft (737,747,757,777 and 787) are being used by Indian air carriers (Air India, Vistara, Blue Dart, and Akasa etc.).  Akaasa has recently placed an order for 150 aircraft.

 

Boeing has a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) – The Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL). This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has been producing aero-structures for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter, including fuselages, secondary structures and vertical spar boxes for customers worldwide. Recently a new production line to manufacture complex vertical fin structures for the 737 family of airplanes has been added.

 

Follow On Support, Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) And Logistics Supply Lines. Various follow-up support, logistics supply lines, training and other services for various platforms purchased by India are being offered by another division of The Boeing Company, viz. Boeing Global Services (BGS). In February 2021, Boeing has signed a strategic collaboration with aviation services provider Air Works for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of its VIP transport aircraft fleet operated by the IAF. This partnership is a first under the newly launched Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub initiative.

 

114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). Boeing is one of the contenders for the Indian acquisition plan, fielding its F-15 and F-18 aircraft.

 

Advantages

 

Boeing Engineering and Technology campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka will conduct core engineering and research for Boeing’s iconic products as well as future platforms. It will have future avionics manufacturing and assembly capability.

      • It will provide impetus to the Indian Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme.
      • It will provide a boost to “Make in India”, “Skill India” and “Make for the World” initiatives through investments in manufacturing, co-production, skilling, engineering, and innovation.
      • It will help the foray of the Indian defence industry into the world market and by co-development of integrated systems in aerospace and defence not just for India, but for the world.
      • It will generate employment opportunities. Today, Boeing India has 4,000 employees, and more than 7,000 people who work on dedicated supply chain jobs with Indian suppliers across manufacturing, engineering and IT sectors.
      • It will provide much-needed technology infusion into the Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem.
      • It will reinforce India’s status as a leading foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engaged in making, engineering, and sourcing from India.
      • It will improve MRO, training and supply chain facilities.
      • It is a Win-Win situation for both.

 

Coming Up:- Boeing’s Current Woes.

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

  1. https://www.boeing.co.in/boeing-in-india/about-boeing-in-india.page
  2. ` https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-boeings-largest-facility-outside-the-us-in-bengaluru-on-january-19-12071891.html
  1. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-fe-exclusive-boeings-vision-for-india-a-partner-in-progress-across-sectors-3237450/
  1. https://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=3133&h=Boeing-Defense-A-Long-Standing-Journey-in-India

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

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Q & A SERIES: IAF – AI POWERED UNMANNED PLATFORMS, SPACE OPS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

 

? Response to Questionnaire ?

 

  1. In your opinion, how do advancements in AI Pilots have the potential to transform future aerial operations and impact Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)?

 

  • AI, Quantum Computing, and Miniaturisation are technologies with maximum impact on air warfare. The combination of these increases the computing power of the aerial systems while reducing their weight and size.

 

  • AI-powered UAVs are the future of the air warfare.

 

  • The combination of unmanned aerial platforms and long-range vectors is changing warfare into “No Contact Warfare”.

 

  • Future air warfare will see the next generation of aerial platforms wherein a combination of manned and unmanned platforms will work as a team. The concept is being called the “Loyal Wing Man Concept” (I call it the “Mother Goose Concept”). Work is going on toward it worldwide including India.

 

  • The second future trend is Swarm Technology, wherein, several small (Some as small as insects) drones would work in unison towards a defined task.

 

  • Anti-drone systems will also develop. These systems will contain multi-sensors and an assortment of weapons for hard or soft kill. They will be AI-powered to process the large amounts of information being generated.

 

  1. Regarding the critical aspect of securing Air Superiority, particularly in the context of the Sino-Indian Arena and the Indo-Pak scenario, do you believe the Indian Air Force (IAF) is adequately prepared for the challenges of the future? What, in your view, are the essential requirements for the IAF to meet these challenges effectively?

 

  • IAF always works on plans. The first one is to fight with whatever it has and the second is for capability development for future challenges.

 

  • Over the last nine decades (especially in the last four decades) air warfare capabilities (like strategic airlift, precision, Standoff, all-weather round-the-clock operation, high altitude ops, etc.) of the IAF have improved significantly.

 

  • At present IAF still can make the difference and provide the asymmetry while dealing with current challenges. However, its war-fighting endurance (numerical strength of fighter and combat support aircraft) needs to be boosted.

 

  • Capability and capacity development is a continuous process. The future trajectory should cater to future challenges. Some of the essential requirements to deal with future challenges would require:-

 

      • Enhancement of War Endurance.

 

      • Infusion of Technology (Quantum, AI, Hypersonic, Stealth, etc.)

 

      • Reorientation & reorganisation to deal with Grey Zone operations and warfare in domains of warfare like Cyber, Space, Information, and Electronics.

 

      • Integration with surface forces and government agencies for the whole of government response.

 

      • Self-reliant defence industry.

 

  1. Recognizing the strategic significance of Space in Future Air Warfare, how imperative do you believe it is for India to make the necessary considerations and investments in this domain?

 

  • Space has permeated into every aspect of life (communications, surveys, education, banking, traffic management, health care disaster management, etc.).

 

  • It has also become an essential domain in warfare (for communications, surveillance, navigation targeting, etc.).

 

  • The long-range vectors Including Hypersonic) and new-generation platforms are using the medium of space.

 

  • In such a scenario of high dependence on space-based systems, space warfare (i.e. denial of space operations to the enemy and freedom of own forces to use the medium of space) both offensive and defensive becomes very important.

 

  • India’s space program is progressing well, however, the space-based technologies and systems are developed first for civilian use and then for the military. This work needs to go on in parallel.

 

  • Private participation besides public R&D and industry is essential.

 

  • An appropriate organisation needs to be set up to harness space and deal with space warfare. Advanced Air Forces like The USAF have a space command. China has gone a step further by making a separate service (Joint Strategic Support Force) to deal with all four domains (Cyber, Space, Information, and Electronic).

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.