El/M-2060P Airborne SAR Reconnaissance Pod

El/M-2060P Airborne SAR Reconnaissance Pod.

The EL/M-2060P is a completely autonomous, self contained, all weather, day and night high-resolution reconnaissance radar system, specially designed for combat aircraft. It produces images that approach photographic resolution. It's capabilities are sustained in poor visibility conditions, under smoke and cloud cover, and against a wide variety of man made camouflage.

The ELM-2060P produces images that approach photographic quality and operate as a true all-weather, day and night sensor capable of penetrating, clouds, rain, smoke, fog and smog. The images produced on-board are transmitted, via a built-in datalink, to the advanced GES for interpretation and extraction of valuable Image Intelligence (IMINT) data.

The data is also recorded on-board for re-transmission or further off-line exploitation on the ground

The system consists of a detachable, pod mounted Synthetic Aperture Radar, externally carried by a combat aircraft, a Ground Exploitation System (GES), and a built in bi-directional data link.

The collected SAR imagery and data undergoes on-board, on-line, real time processing, and is transmitted to the GES for further automated interpretation. As an alternative or parallel mode, the collected data is recorded on board for retransmission or later interpretation on the ground.

The operation of the pod is highly automated, minimizing the load on the pilot. Thus even a single seater aircraft can perform the reconnaissance mission. The high performance combat aircraft platform, enables real time collection and interpretation of intelligence data over more than 50,000 square kilometers per hour.

The EL/M-2060P SAR pod is installed in a standard external store, attached to the centerline hard point of the aircraft. It does not alter the basic configuration of the aircraft, and does not degrade its capability to perform its original combat missions.

In this way any standard combat aircraft can be easily and cost effectively configured for the airborne reconnaissance mission that previously required specially dedicated, extremely expensive and vulnerable airborne platforms.

The EL/M-2060P SAR RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM can be adapted to various high performance combat aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI,  F-16, F/A-18, JAS 39, Tornado etc.

The concept, developed by ELTA, of adding SAR reconnaissance capability as a standard mission of regular combat aircraft is a break-through that has already created high interest in the defense community. As a result, an agreement to cooperate in the sale of ELTA's SAR reconnaissance system in the U.S. and other world markets was recently signed between ELTA and Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems.

Features

• Range over 300 km
• All-weather reconnaissance
• Stand-off or Stand-in (penetration) missions
• Real-time, on-board SAR imagery generation
• Long ranges and wide area coverage
• Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI)
• Efficient imagery exploitation and reporting
• Flexible mission planning, management and real-time mission re-tasking
• Self-sufficient autonomous system
• Straightforward installation on combat aircraft on existing hard points
• Minimal pilot workload for system operation
• Suited to operation and maintenance by the fighter squadron

Like Our Facebook Page AMCA - India's first indigenous stealth fighter for Daily Updates. 

HAL LCH - India’s Indigenously Built Multirole Light Combat Helicopter

HAL LCH - India’s Indigenously Built Multirole Light Combat Helicopter.

HAL LCH During Test Flight. 

The Kargil war gives us much lessons to the IAF to conduct not only Armed Combat air patrol, but mean time support the Friendly Troops who is fighting against the enemy in tough conditions. So IAF put an requirement of Combat Helicopters building in India, The HAL taken the decision to make the dream into reality by flying first LCH prototype by 2010, within three years of program gets sanctioned by the Government. The Indian Air Force is to acquire 65 LCHs and Indian Army is to acquire 114 LCHs.

Overview

HAL LCH on Display During Aero India. 

The LCH is being designed to fit into an anti-infantry and anti-armour role and will be able to operate at high altitudes. It has a maximum weight of 5.5 tonnes, and has a service ceiling of 6,500 metres. The LCH design features a narrow fuselage with stealth profiling, armour protection, and will be equipped to conduct day-and-night combat operations. According to reports, the LCH features a digital camouflage system. The LCH has a two-crew cockpit.

The LCH is probably the most agile design in the world because of its rotor. HAL said LCH is of 5.5 tonne class, like the Dhruv, it is powered by two HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turbo-shaft engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter. The features that are unique to LCH are sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, nuclear, and low visibility features which make the LCH lethal, agile and survivable.

Cockpit and avionics

Cockpit of HAL LCH 

The LCH is to have a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with FLIR, Laser rangefinder and laser designator. Weapons will be aimed with a helmet mounted sight and there will be an electronic warfare suite with radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver and a missile approach warning system. The two pilots in the LCH sit one behind the other, compared to side-by-side in the Dhruv.

The LCH's modern sensor suite, developed in cooperation with Israel, consists of a CCD Camera, forward-looking infrared imaging sensors and a laser range finder to facilitate target acquisition in all weather conditions, including at night.

The helicopter is to be fitted with a data link for network-centric operations facilitating the transfer of mission data to the other airborne platforms and ground stations operating in the network, facilitating force multiplication.

Roles

Armed LCH 

LCH is intended for use in air defence against slow moving aerial targets (e.g. aircraft and UAVs), Counter Surface Force Operation (CSFO), destruction of enemy air defence operations, escort to special heliborne operations (SHBO), Counter-insurgency operations (COIN), offensive Employment in Urban Warfare, support of combat search and rescue operations (SAR) operations, anti-tank role and scout duties.It will also be capable of high-altitude warfare (HAW) since its operational ceiling will be 6,000–6,500 metres (19,700–21,300 ft).

Testing

LCH During High Altitude Cold Weather Trail.

LCH During Hot Weather Trial.

• The cold weather trials of the LCH were carried out at Air Force Station, Leh in early 2015. The engine starts were satisfactory in the temperature of -18 °C at 4.1 km altitude. The flights were also carried out to assess high altitude performance and low speed handling.The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude.

• In June 2015, the LCH successfully completed hot weather flight trials at Jodhpur with temperatures from 39 to 42 °C. The flight testing covered 'temperature survey of engine bay and hydraulic system', 'assessment of performance', 'handling qualities and loads' at different 'all up weights', 'low speed handling' and 'height-velocity diagram establishment'.

• In September 2015, the hot and high altitude trials of LCH were conducted successfully. The third prototype (TD-3) was taken to Leh for testing. Hover performance, low speed handling capability at extreme heights and temperature along with landing at forward locations were tested. The helicopter became the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen. The helicopter landed at high altitude helipads at 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet.

• The LCH completed basic performance flight testing, outstation trials, and prototype TD-3 fired 70 mm rockets in its weaponized configuration. The Next trails are ATGM firing , Air to Air rocket firing & canon firing. Those trails weapon firing trials will be held during the middle of 2016.

Specifications 

Specifications of LCH.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 8 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.3 m (43 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in)
• Disc area: 136.85 m² (1,472 ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft, 1,067 kW 

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 330 km/h (178 knots, 207 mph)
• Maximum speed: 280 km/h (145 knots, 167 mph)
• Range: 700 km (297 nmi, 342 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
• Disc loading: 39.59 kg/m² (8.23 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 327 W/kg (0.198 hp/lb)

Armament

Weopen configuration of LCH.

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
• Hardpoints: 4 (two under each wing)
• Rockets: 4 × 70/80 mm rocket-pods.
• Missiles: 4 × two-round MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation, and 2 × four-round Helina, LAHAT anti-tank missiles.
• Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs including Gravity bombs, cluster bombs and grenade launchers.

Thanks for Reading. Like Our Facebook Page (Click here) For Daily Updates & Feel Proud to Share the article. 

Source : Wikipedia  (HAL LCH article)

New Images From India’s AMCA Programme

New Images From India’s AMCA Programme

AMCA flying over Himalayas. 

India’s 5th Generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is progressing well now in its second phase of development with several parts of the aircraft and configuration locked.

Just chanced upon this new image from the AMCA’s stealth structures workshop at the National Aerospace Laboratory, providing an updated view of the engineering going into the serpentine intakes of the concept jet.

Work going on Air intake .

The above image follows the series of photographs and technical illustrations accessed over the years, depicting the engineering approach to the AMCA’s low-observability surfaces. Some of the previous ones: (below)

AMCA with a view of its weapons bay with beyond visual range weapons, and the bay door mechanism.

Lay out of Air Intake.

Weopen bay layout. 

Now These are Weopen bay design with various Weopen configuration. (Courtesy - Aeronautics Development Agency)

Launching BVR AAM 

And this is a full AMCA mission scenario simulator is up and running at the ADA lab in Bengaluru. Here it is: ( Though we posted the Simulator pic before anyone else months ago on our fb page)

AMCA mission scenario simulator.

Thanks for Reading & Watching Exclusive Pictures. For Exclusive Update on AMCA Programme like/follow our page (Here). (NB- Its unofficial fan page of AMCA Programme)

ALL Picture & Story Courtesy - Aeronautics Development Agency  (ADA) & Livefist (Link Here).

The Story of IAF MiG-25 over Islamabad

The Story of Indian Air Force MiG-25 'RB' over Islamabad, Pakistan. 

This is the story of the fastest, highest flying aircraft to ever don the tri-colour roundel of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is dedicated to the men of Nos 102 Squadron 'Trisonics' who flew and maintained these big beautiful birds.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI IAF's mainstay fighter with the Mig-25.

India aquired 12 Mig-25 Foxbats fron the Soviet Union in the 80's. Of the 12 Foxbats, 10 are MiG-25R and 2 MiG-25U(trainers), they form the No.102 Trisonics Squadron in Bakshi-ka-Talab (Bareilly). In 1987, when there was a confrontation between the Pakistani and Indian armed forces, there were some gaps in the Indian intelligence on the location of Pakistan's armoured division and southern strategic reserve.

In May 1997, an Indian Air Force Mig-25 reconnaisance aircraft made headlines after it was detected in Pakistani Airspace.

Artistic impression of Mig-25 over Islamabad by Saurav Chordia

IAF Mikoyan MiG-25RB reconnaissance aircraft created a furore when the pilot flew faster than Mach 2 over Islamabad following a reconnaissance mission into Pakistan airspace. The Foxbat broke the sound barrier while flying at an altitude of around 65,000 feet over Islamabad to pique the Pakistanis where otherwise the mission would have remained covert at least to the general public. The sonic boom was heard through most of Islamabad and created quite a ripple. The Pakistan Government considered the breaking of the sound barrier as deliberate act to make the point that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of the MiG-25. The PAF to their credit did scramble their F-16s to intercept our cheerful intruder but to no avail. The F-16 goes up to only 55,000' and by the time the F-16s would get up to that altitude the MiG-25 could easily be 125 kms away even at its cruise speed. To the observer on the ground a sonic boom sounds like a loud repeated thunder clap you normally associate with a thunder storm.

IAF pilots flying the Mig-25 wore pressure suits to deal with the altitudes. One of the camera portholes can be seen on the right.

The Pakistani airforce later issued a statement that an Indian MIG-25 had violated its air space and they either could not, would not, intercept it. Pakistani Foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan said that the airspace violation by an Indian Mig-25 fighter jet could not be repulsed, because Pakistan did not have any aircraft or missile or other defence capability to intercept aircrafts at 72,000 feet. Pakistan armed forces alleged that the aircraft was photographing very sensitive sites. They used this as an excuse to lobby for a hike in the defence budget. Questions were raised in Parliament, India said the intrusion into Pakistani airspace was accidental. This incident highlighted the fact that Pakistan has nothing in its inventory that can shoot down the Foxbat.

Thanks for Reading. Like Our Facebook Page (➡Here).

Special Forces of India

Special Forces of India 

Indian Armed Forces has three SF units:

1. Para (SF) of the Army
2. MARCOS of the Navy 
3. Garuds of the IAF 

The Indian Army Para SF 

Para SF in Foggman Suit

Patches of Para SF 

Firstly there is a bit of a confusion when it come's to the Indian Army’s SOF. The Special Forces come under the Parachute Regiment which is divided into two:   

1) Regular Airborne units - 5,6,7 Para 

2) Special Forces units - 1,2,3,4,9,10,11,21 Para(SF)   

As you can see SF units are denoted by the SF suffixed in brackets.  1,9,10 are the oldest units, 21 was raised in 1996 and 11 is the latest addition, being raise in 2011.   The SF units have a probation (selection in Indian Army SF is called probation) period of 6 months and the regular airborne ones have a probation of 3 months. The Army SF units have been conducting joint exercises with the Green Berets (possibly the 1st SFG) at CIJWS (Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School). Late in 2011 and exercise with the Polish GROM also took place. Exercises with the 22 SAS also take place. Some 1st SFG members might give a better about the Indian Army SF as they have cross trained in India with them.

Equipments

Para SF During Operation With Tavor.

• Tavors (CTAR, GTAR, X95) with night sights, EOTech sights, AN-PEQ2, Mepro gear.
• M4A1 Carbine With ACOG 
• Pistol Auto 9mm 1A Semi-automatic pistol
• Glock 17 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Beretta 92 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-machine gun
• Micro Uzi 9mm Sub-machine gun
• IWI Galil Assault rifle
• IWI TAR-21 Tavor Assault rifle
• M4A1 Carbine
• MPi KMS-72 East German made side-folded Kalashnikov rifle
• PM Md.90 Assault rifle
• VZ. 58 Pi Assault rifle
• SVD Dragunov Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• IWI Galil Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Mauser SP66 Bolt-action sniper rifle
• PKM General purpose machine gun
• Uk vz. 59L Light machine gun
• MG 2A1 General purpose machine gun
• AGS-17 Plamya Automatic grenade launcher.
• C-90-CR-RB (M3) Disposal rocket launcher.
• RL MkIII 84mm Recoilles rifle
• B-300 Shipon 82mm Rocket launcher

Transport

• C-130J Super Hercules tactical 

• HAL Dhruv utility helicopter
• All Terrain Vehicles
• HAL Cheetak utility helicopter

The Indian Navy MARCOS SF

A Marcos Commando With Beretta Pistol 

The Indian Navys SF units is the MARCOS (Marine Commandos).They were formed in 1987 when 2 officers were sent to Coronado to train alongisde the SEALs, so essentially its the SEALs who initially helped train the unit (a big big thanks to the SEALs for that), further training as some say was imparted by the SAS/SBS. In the early years the unit was very secretive reports say that the operators even didn't tell their families that they were with this unit, the cover being that of a combat diver. Not much about their selection process is known but I did ask an credible source and he did say that it is very different from BUDS. 

The unit operates in the Wular lake in Kashmir from where once Pakistan supported terrorists would infiltrate into Kashmir. Since their deployment there the terrorists fear them a LOT,they have been nicknamed by the terrorists as "Crocodiles".

They got USMC style combat uniform. Like the SEAL teams they are divided as MARCOS(East) and MARCOS(West). 

Equipments 

• Pistol Auto 9mm 1A 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Beretta 92FS Semi-automatic pistol
• SAF Carbine 2A1 9mm Sub-machine gun
• Heckler & Koch MP5A3/A5 9mm Sub-machine gun
• AK-103 7.62×39mm Assault rifle
• AKMS 7.62×39mm Assault rifle
• IMI TAR-21 5.56mm
• IMI GTAR-21 5.56mm NATO Assault rifle
• APS amphibious rifle 5.66x39mm Underwater assault rifle
• IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper/Galatz 7.62mm NATO Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Heckler & Koch MSG90 7.62mm NATO Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Sako Tikka T3 TAC 7.62x51mm bolt-action sniper rifles
• IMI Negev 5.56mm NATO Light machine gun
• MG 2A1 7.62 mm General purpose machine gun
• GP-25 40mm Under-barrel grenade launcher
• Arsenal UBGL 40x46mm Under-barrel grenade launcher
• AGS-17 30x29mm Automatic grenade launcher
• RCL Mk III 84mm Recoilless rifle
• Shipon Anti-tank weapon
• 9K38 Igla MANPADS

Transport 

• Indian Navy Sea King Mk.42B on INS Mumbai
• HAL Dhruv utility helicopter
• 6 Westland WS-61 Sea King transport helicopter
• Chetak helicopters
• Cosmos CE-2F X100 two-man submarines
• All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
• Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicle

IAF GARUD Commando 

IAF Garud Commando 

The Garud Commando Force is the Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed in September 2004. Garud is tasked with the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities. Presently, Garud's are deployed in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping operations. After attempts by terrorists to attack two major air bases in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001, Indian Air Force commanders felt the need for a specialized force to protect these critical elements and to have a dedicated Commando Force trained in Special Forces techniques, Combat Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and Emergency in response to terror-threats to airfields. The initial plans mooted in October 2002 called for a specialized force with 2000 commandos. The group was originally called "Tiger Force", but was later renamed as "Garud Force". Apart from protecting air bases from sabotage and attacks by commando raids, they are also tasked to seal off weapons systems, fighter hangars and other major systems during intrusions and conflicts. Garuds have diverse responsibilities. Besides base protection force to protect airfields and key assets in hostile environments, some advanced Garud units are trained like Army Para Commandos and the Naval MARCOS to undertake missions deep behind enemy lines. Note, that the security of IAF installations like radars, airfields and other establishments in border areas is generally performed by the Air Force Police and the Defence Security Corps (DSC). During peace time, apart from protecting the air bases and other vital infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Garud roles include counter terrorism, anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, aid during natural calamities and military tasks in the interest of the nation. The Garud force is organized into fifteen "Flights", with a total present strength of approximately 1080 airmen.  (A flight is roughly the equivalent of a "Company" in an Infantry Battalion, and is commanded by an officer of the rank of Flight Lieutenant.) 

Equipment 

• Glock 17, 19 and 26 semi-automatic pistol
• IMI TAR-21 Tavor with MORS sight 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI GTAR-21 Grenadier Tavor with Arsenal UBGL 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI STAR-21 Sharpshooter Tavor with Nimrod telescopic sights 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI CTAR-21 Compact Tavor with MORS sight 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• INSAS 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• AKMS 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• MPi KMS-72 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• PM Md.90 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper/Galatz 7.62×51mm NATO semi-automatic sniper rifle
• INSAS LMG 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun
• IMI Negev SF 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun

Like Our Facebook Page AMCA- India's first indigenous stealth fighter (Click on Blue part).

Courtesy - Protect India My Duty & Team AMCA 

Shooting the Sun With IAF MiG-25