Tag: AIRCRAFT

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RAF’s new Protector aircraft takes to UK skies

The UK has ordered 16 Protector aircraft from General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), all of which will be based at RAF Waddington, the RAF’s ISTAR hub…reports Asian Lite News.

A pre-production example of the UK’s new Protector aircraft has taken to the UK skies as part of preparations for the arrival of Protector to RAF Waddington.

The air station has been selected as the home of the Protector International Training Centre, as part of a £94 million investment into infrastructure improvements to assist with housing the aircraft ahead of its entry into service in 2024.

The UK has ordered 16 Protector aircraft from General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), all of which will be based at RAF Waddington, the RAF’s ISTAR hub.

Speaking at RAF Waddington, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Today marks a huge milestone in the Protector programme, bringing us one step closer to delivering this world-leading capability to the RAF.”

“This £94 million investment cements RAF Waddington’s place as the UK’s ISTAR hub, ensuring our Protector fleet can operate safely and effectively for many years to come.”

A key feature of the investment at RAF Waddington will be the development of a new campus which will include the Protector International Training Centre.

The Ministry of Defence said that new campus will support many jobs in the local area, with contracts awarded in the coming months for infrastructure improvements at the base.

The campus will feature new Single Living Accommodation for Protector ground crews, a hangar, office facilities, a new road to the Protector area of RAF Waddington and a new taxiway.

Operating this summer from the Lincolnshire station, the SkyGuardian aircraft has undertaken a number of sorties showcasing its impressive capabilities while also providing vital information for personnel at RAF Waddington preparing for the aircraft’s permanent arrival in 2024. SkyGuardian will be known as Protector when it enters RAF service.

According to the Ministry, the investment marks an important step in the development of the revolutionary Detect and Avoid technology, permitting Protector to fly in unsegregated airspace safely – as the world’s first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, Protector will significantly boost the RAF’s armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: “The Protector aircraft is a huge leap forward in performance and autonomous technology. It can fly for 40 hours anywhere in the world, providing critical surveillance and precision strike to protect the UK and our allies.”

“As the lead customer for this aircraft, I am delighted the Royal Air Force is once again at the cutting edge of air power innovation.”

Protector will be able to conduct missions of up to 40 hours and fly in non-segregated civil airspace allowing it to respond rapidly and offer flexibility to deliver an array of military missions and support to civil authorities, including search and rescue.

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Categories
-Top News Defence

Centre approves procurement of 56 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence for the Indian Air Force…reports Asian Lite News.

The Indian government on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 transport aircraft from the Airbus Defence and Space S.A of which 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India.

These 56 C-295MW transport aircraft of Airbus will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence for the Indian Air Force.

The C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of five to 10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract, and 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the TATA Consortium within 10 years of signing of the contract.

“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

All the 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

“The project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft,” the ministry said.

The programme will provide a major boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission of the government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into the technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry.

The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing, resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India.

The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India.

It will involve development of specialised infrastructure in the form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway.

During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes will gain and maintain globally recognised National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Programme (NADCAP) accreditation.

“Before completion of deliveries, a ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be setup in India. It is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft,” the ministry said.

In addition, the original equipment manufacturer will also discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian offset partners, giving further boost to the economy.

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Categories
-Top News India News

Sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier kick off

It also stated the indigenous construction of the aircraft carrier is a shining example in the nation’s quest for ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative’…reports Asian Lite News.

Sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, which will be reincarnated as INS Vikrant once it is commissioned, finally kicked off on Wednesday.

The Indian Navy said that it was “proud and historic day for India” as the reincarnated Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor’s key role in victory in the 1971 war.

It also stated the indigenous construction of the aircraft carrier is a shining example in the nation’s quest for ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative’.

With building of the indigenous aircraft carrier, India joins select group of nations having niche capability to indigenously design, build, and integrate a state of art aircraft carriers.

Vikrant, designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), is being built at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), a public sector unit under the Ministry of Shipping.

A leading example of the nation’s quest for AtmaNirbhar Bharat with more than 76 per cent indigenous content, it is the maiden attempt of the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.

It is 262 m long, 62 m at the widest part and has a height of 59 m, including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure.

The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.

Designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles.

It can accommodate an assortment of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

Most of the ship construction activities have been completed and the ship has entered the trials phase. Readiness of ship’s propulsion and power generation equipment and systems was tested in harbour as part of Basin Trials in November 2020.

Progress of construction of the carrier was reviewed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to the ship on June 25 this year.

Though the commencement of sea trials was delayed due to the second wave of Covid, they have now begun with concentrated and dedicated efforts of large number of workmen, original equipment manufacturers, engineers, overseers, inspectors, designers and the ship’s crew, who had put their heart and soul towards the ship’s readiness for sea trials.

This is a major milestone activity and historical event. Reaching this milestone is significant as they have been achieved barring the current pandemic challenges and imponderables, the Navy said.

During the maiden sailing, the ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, PGD, and auxiliary equipment would be closely watched.

Work on the carrier has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities besides development of large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for 2,000 Cochin Shipyard personnel and about 12,000 employees in ancillary industries.

Over 76 per cent indigenous content towards procurement of equipment, besides work by Cochin Shipyard and their subcontractors is being directly invested back into the Indian economy. Around 550 Indian firms including about 100 MSMEs are registered with the shipyard.

Indian Navy’s ship building programme is rightly poised to provide requisite ‘Economic Stimulus’, with 44 ships and submarine on order being built indigenously, the Navy said.

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Categories
-Top News Defence UK News

UK aircraft carrier joins fight against Daesh

For the task group, which has spent previous weeks in the Mediterranean working with NATO allies and partners, it marks a change of emphasis…reports Asian Lite News.

The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has launched its first direct military operation against Daesh as part of its first deployment after UK has shifted its focus to Indo-Pacific.

Stealth jets of the 617 Squadron RAF – The Dambusters – carried out operational sorties for the first time from the new carrier in support of Operation Shader and US Operation Inherent Resolve.

British and American F-35B Stealth jets took off from the decks to strike the terror group’s positions in Syria and Iraq, the Arab News reported.

There are 18 UK and US F35B jets on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is the largest number to ever sail the seas. The aircraft are next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology.

Defence officials said several Daesh positions were destroyed, according to the Arab News report.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Carrier Strike Group is “a physical embodiment of Global Britain and a show of international military strength that will deter anyone who seeks to undermine global security.”

“The ability to operate from the sea with the most advanced fighter jets ever created is a significant moment in our history, offering reassurance to our allies and demonstrating the UK’s formidable air power to our adversaries,” Wallace said.

For the task group, which has spent previous weeks in the Mediterranean working with NATO allies and partners, it marks a change of emphasis.

From exercises and international engagements, the Carrier Strike Group is now contributing to the UK’s fight against Daesh – Operation Shader, which forms part of the Global Collation against Daesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_PHOTd6pHY

Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, said the carrier’s first missions against Daesh will be remembered as a significant moment in the 50-year lifespan of the ship.

“It also marks a new phase of our current deployment. To date we have delivered diplomatic influence on behalf of the UK through a series of exercises and engagements with our partners – now we are ready to deliver the hard punch of maritime-based air power against a shared enemy,” he said.

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation and this is its first operational deployment, which is joint between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

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