Mighty force of Indigenous aircrafts flying for the IAF

 

 

The Indian Air Force ( IAF ) celebrated its foundation day on 8th October, annually. The present year is important for the Indian Air Force, as founded in 1932, the force has completed 90 years of foundation today. The journey of these 90 years is marked with a struggle to become self reliant not just materially but technologically as well. The IAF has a mighty force of indigenous aircrafts adding to the capabilities of the Air Force. On this important day, let us take a look at the Indian Aircrafts that have muscled the prowess of the IAF;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planned for replacing India’s MIG-21 fighters, Tejas is a single engined, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. It has quadruplex digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) with associated advanced flight control laws. The aircraft with delta wing is designed for ‘air combat’ and ‘offensive air support’ with ‘reconnaissance’ and ‘anti-ship’ as its secondary roles. Extensive use of advanced composites in the airframe gives a high strength to weight ratio, long fatigue life and low radar signatures.

 

 

 

 

Being the smallest and lightest in its class, the 'Tejas' integrates technologies such as relaxed static stability, fly-by-wire flight control system, multi-mode radar, integrated digital avionics system and composite material structures. The first tejas IAF unit, No. 45 Squadron IAF Flying Daggers was formed on 1 July 2016 with two aircraft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a milestone event, the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH); Prachand, was inducted into the Air Force in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Oct 3, this year. The light combat helicopters; Prachand, have been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, expanding the government's ‘Make in India’ initiative and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Among the top features are all-weather combat capability, high altitude performance, agility, maneuverability, and extended range. For better survivability, the choppers have night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear. The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 Cr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rudra is the weaponized version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to meet the requirements of both, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The multi role helicopter of 5.8 Ton class is powered by two Shakti Engines. One of the stars at Aero India 2013 and an armed variant of the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, the Rudra is equipped with a self-protection suite, advanced electro-optical sensors, a 20 mm chin-mounted autocannon, 70 mm rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles and IR homing air-to-air missiles. Besides the the name 'Rudra', that refers to a Vedic deity that is considered to be the father of the storm gods, suggests of the capabilities planned for the aircraft.

 

 

 

 

The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class. The basic Helicopter is produced in skid version and wheeled version. Dhruv is “type –Certified” for Military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification (CEMILAC) and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Certification of the utility military variant was completed in 2002 and that of the civil variant was completed in 2004.

 

 

 

 

Besides, Sarang – the ALH (Dhruv) display team of Indian Air force formed in October 2003 with the aim of showcasing the excellent agility, controllability & maneuverability of ALH. The word Sarang means peacock in Sanskrit and the team epitomizes beauty and grace of peacock - the hallmark of its display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Light Utility Helicopter ( LUH ) is designed and developed as a replacement for 'Cheetah' and 'Chetak' helicopters which are being operated by Indian Armed forces. LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-Ton class incorporating the state of the art technology features like Glass cockpit with Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and powered by single Turbo Shaft engine with sufficient power margin to cater to demanding high altitude missions. LUH is expected to meet the emerging needs in this class of helicopters in the coming decades. The helicopter is capable of flying at 220 Kmph; service ceiling of 6.5 Km and a range of 350 Km with 500 kg payload.

 

 

 

 

Being the pilot project of HAL helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces, the HAL, Helicopter Division started manufacturing of helicopters in 1962, by entering an agreement with SUD-AVIATION (Presently AIRBUS and Former EUROCOPTER, France) for production of Aloutte III helicopters, popularly known as the 'Chetak' helicopters. The first Chetak (Aloutte III) in ‘Fly Away’ condition delivered in 1965. The Chetak Helicopter is a two ton class helicopter. The seven seater Chetak helicopter is versatile, multi role, multi purpose, and spacious.

 

 

 

 

The helicopter is powered by Artouste - III B turbo shaft engine. The helicopter is preferred for commuting, cargo - material transport, casualty evacuation, Search & Rescue (SAR), Aerial Survey & Patrolling, Emergency Medical Services, Off-shore operations and Under slung operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first Cheetah Helicopter that is identical to LAMA SA 315B Helicopter of Eurocopter, France, is a high performance helicopter designed for operation over a very wide range of weight, centre of gravity and altitude conditions, which is why it is preferred for commuting, observation, surveillance, logistics support, rescue operations and high altitude missions. The five seater Cheetah helicopter is versatile, multi role, multi purpose, highly maneuverable and rugged in construction. It holds the world record in high altitude flying among all categories of Helicopters. The Cheetah is powered by Artouste - III B turbo shaft engine.

 

 

 

 

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactured, HJT-16 Kiran, is a two-seat intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force ( IAF ). Since it is training aircraft, the IAF has adopted 'Kiran' to conduct intermediate training of pilots following on from basic trainers such as the HPT-32 Deepak and Pilatus PC-7. The Kiran has been in operational use for over 50 years.

 

 

 

 

In 2018, India also donated some 'Kirans' to Myanmar. The Kiran has been used by the Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan and was also used by the aerobatic team Surya Kiran of the IAF up until Feb 2011, at which point the team was disbanded after its aircraft were diverted to train fighter pilots. However, the Surya Kiran display team has been reequipped with specially-equipped Hawks.

 

 

  

 

 

 

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Lakshya, is a cost effective re-usable high subsonic aerial target system powered by a gas turbine engine and launched either from land or ship. It carries two tow targets of tow lengths of 1.5 km each having radar, IR or visual signature augmentation and Miss Distance Indication Scoring System. These tow targets are used for training of land or ship based gun and missile crew and combat aircraft pilots in weapon engagement. The Lakshya was inducted into the Indian Air Force, Navy and the Army in 2000, 2001 and 2003 respectively.

 

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