CAG Finds, IAF's Airborne control Center is not Fully Operational

CAG Finds, IAF's Airborne control Center is not Fully Operational

    CAG informs in parliament that IAF's Airborne control center or the AEWCS based on the Russian IL 76 Aircraft and the Radar from Israel is not ready or achieved full capability due to many reasons. The report validates the issues and parameters of the A 50 Phalcon AEWCS till March 2014. CAG informs to the parliament that due to issues A 50 didn't perform the required missions. This is because of low service availability rate too.

   IAF tried to increase the service availability of A 50 Phalcon, However lack of technical expertise to work onboard  the AEWCS, lack of air crew to perform aerial refueling missions and non-acquisition of additional land for extension of runway length at air force station in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Short of air crews and lack of ground support systems also the reason of low-availability of AEWCS.

   CAG slams the govt and IAF that lack of operational credibility on the AEWCS may impact the nations security during hostile situations. CAG also finds lack of spare parts of the Plane as well as radar systems. The aircraft's service maintenance is issued to third party even at shorter period of time. Not only that CAG find defective Automatic Test Equipment for Communication System used in the service center. The malfunctioned system further make issues in the operational capability of AEWCS.

    CAG finds the aircraft lacks  much needed I level IFF reponders also absent in the AEWCS. and slams the government to speed up procuring such systems. The Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) system provides identification of enemy or friendly aircraft based on responses to interrogation, as well as determination of their positional and altitude data. The role of IFF system is to interrogate the various transponders in its coverage area.

    The issues also found in Hangers and storage facility's. The air force station also lacks of proper accommodation to the service crew's. Totally CAG openly said the Jamnagar Air base is not fully ready to accommodate the AEWCS squadron.

    The Ministry authorized IAF to perform 1500 flying hours per year. However due to lack of instability the IAF performed only 844 hours of flying. The AWECS is major aspects who need to fly continuously during critical situations.

    It's very hard to detect low flying cruise missiles through ground based radar. Due to radar horizon and clutter. Low flying terrain hugging missiles can be detected only by airborne radar's or aerostats. CAG didn't said anything about the Aerostats, So it's believed the system is working fine.

   The CAG not only reported but recommend some good points to the IAF and the Govt. to solve the issues regarding the operational capability of AEWCS, The list follows

• IAF may review utilization of  radar mounted in the aircraft  with a view to enhance its capacity utilization, so as to bring it at par with the established task fixed by the Ministry; or the Ministry may suitably revise task in its  Policy Page.

• Ministry/IAF may investigate reasons for non-inclusion of training in AAR in the contract (2004) for radar mounted in the aircraft  and issue necessary instructions, so that in future the provisions of training required for operation of vital capabilities of an asset is not missed while concluding the contracts.

• Extension of Runway length at air force station to over 15000 feet, by acquiring the additional land may be reviewed so as to meet the requirement of radar mounted in the aircraft  and the IL 76  aircrafts to take-off with full payload.

• Overall arrangement for maintenance of radar mounted in the aircraft  be finalised as early as possible to ensure optimum availability thereof at optional cost. It may further be ensured that ‘I’ level facility is set up by OEM as per the contractual provisions so that dependency on OEM for testing of LRUs for isolation of fault up to SRU level and turn-around-time in servicing of LRU/SRU is minimized.

Eye on the Sky: Phalcon Airborne control

Eye on the Sky: Phalcon Airborne control

   Phalcon is the short name of Indian Airborne control and Early warning Plane, after a year long deal, Israel finally dispatched the world's finest AEWCS plane to India, by 2009, where the deal signed early 2004, earlier the US shows resistant towards the most advanced radar sale to India and China, because of most of the Israeli defense companies has large investments from US, at first the Israeli's nearly signed a deal with China, However The US asked the Israeli's not to sale any such modern technologies to other Countries, in early 2000 Israel cancels the Phalcon sale to China,

   India approached the Israeli's by 2003, However America not interested in the deal, the Indian Israeli officials assured about the safeguard of critical technology of the Radar, and US gives authorization to sell the system to India only, and so far India is the only Nation who operates the most advanced powerful AEWCS in the world outside US, even the Israeli's moves into smaller platform with two side looking EL/W-2085 Radar's.

   The IAF Phalcon comes with three side looking EL/W-2090 Radar's which is mounted above the IL 76 platform, the Radar contentiously rotate to scan the Air space for hostile activity, the advantage of the rotating dome has less false rate where each targets being tracked by three radar's in a quick refresh rate. that's the rotating speed, nowadays those Radar's has zero false alarm rate that's why the fixed Radar's on the side of the Planes.

   The A 50 is not only just a Airborne control center, It can perform multiple operations, even it can be assigned with maritime attack role, since rival forces has capability to launch Long range cruise missiles from it's surface ships, however this can be now being tracked by the IAF's advanced P 8 and Tu 142 fitted with Israeli maritime Radars,

   Primary Mission of the Phalcon is the Long Range Air surveillance, It's believed that the Range of Surveillance and multi mode tracking is reported more than 300 kilometers, however it's not the official figure, since the actual range is classified, the Phalcon has three Active Electronic steered array, each module can transmit and receive data at the L Band frequency, the unique L band works on a wavelength of 15-30 cm and a frequency of 1-2 GHz, the actual T/R module numbers not available, however it's estimated it's have more than 6000 T/R modules, the advanced F 22 Raptor has only 1956 T/R modules, the more modules, the more tracking numbers, currently the L Band radar is noted best for detection and tracking airborne systems,

   The Phalcon can act as a Airborne command Control Communication and Intelligence system, easily denoted as C4I, mainly to carryout attack Run in enemy air space and uncontrolled Indian Airspace, when Fighters move from friendly Airspace they have to rely on their own Radar systems, Here Coming with a Phalcon will help the Fighters even in Enemy airspace and guide the fighters to carryout the Attack, the AEWCS transmission between fighters can't be intercepted which is work on a secure high power communication link, usually such missions are needed for control enemy airspace, In the Yemeni Interventions the Saudi E 3 AEWCS gets full control of Yemeni Airspace,

   The Phalcon can also act as a Network centric systems, which can direct and command Naval Air and Ground forces to co ordinate with each other, as likely scenario, if friendly forces operating inside the Phalcon's umbrella but outside Indian territory, if they calls Friendly Air strike or Missile strike to a designated point, the Phalcon can guide the missile or Fighter to strike the enemy position with pin point accuracy,

   In Air warfare, if a Long Range Air to Air missile launched from an fighter Jet, The Phalcon can guide the missile from mid way to attack the enemy Fighter or Cruise missile, the same called by mid course guidance, such guidance can be done from most front line Aircraft's too, However this is a new technology comes with AESA and Phased array radar only, earlier MMR radar has not such technology.

   Phalcon also have the capability to Jam and Intercept enemy communications and data link's, currently most missiles works with data links for precession strike, from Radar or satellites, if Phalcon comes between or identifies the enemy missile with the data link, the missile surely hits the false targets or fell down, and communication could be done by using satellites, the Phalcon can easily intercepts the communication link and decode it and alert the friendly forces, even has the capability to intercept the military Radio sets, the Phalcon has twelve operators which allows each of them can work on different sections like Air surveillance, C4I, mission alert, Support mission etc.

   The Phalcon's primary defensive sensor suites has Radar warning Receiver and Missile approaching receiver both are couple with decoy's like Chaff and Flares, the RWR can alert the Phalcon if it was under any enemy scanner, that makes the Phalcon to move away or fly higher to evade, the MAWS allows the crew about the incoming missile information where the CFD can automatically launch countermeasures at correct distance,

    The Phalcon has the credible IFF features, the Friend or Foe system allows the unidentified fighter either Friendly or Hostile Aircraft, if it was inside communication denied environment, the IFF system in Phalcon has high reliability compared to all other systems,

    So far India operates three Phalcon system, all of them based near Delhi Agra, India earlier planned to add additional two more systems, however the high cost put that order on shelves, as recently a year or ago finance ministry allocates the fund for additional Phalcon AEWCS and it's reported Israel already bought the IL 76 planes from Russia, and it's believed they were in Israel and the modification Programs going on, and if all things go clear IAF might get those new Phalcons by coming 2016 or later, however it's not mentioned what such additional options and Radar can be installed in the new Phalcon AEWCS.    

Embraer ERJ 145 DRDO AEWCS

Embraer ERJ 145 DRDO AEWCS

   

  On the 22 august 2012 Night a Specially designed Embraer Jet Landed in the HAL Airport Bangalore, with the years of dedication and hardworking, Embraer almost completed all aerodynamic trails with the Big AESA radar fitted with his Body, where the Radar is developed by the LRDE ( Electronics & Radar Development Establishment ), which having complete 240 degree of view, same like many other low end platforms like Saab's erieye. 

      Early 2003, IAF and DRDO studied about the possibilities of building medium range of Airborne Radars to ensure the safety of the Indian Airspace, and increase the performance of Fighters co ordination and surveillance, with the DRDO lead several other Indian PSU companies involved in the project to  build a Radar which can be fitted in medium transporter Planes. 

        DRDO and it's allies started selecting the platform, with the with the wide range of search DRDO and IAF shortlisted the Embraer ERJ 145 to mount the Radar on it. so far no one uses the Platform, But IAF is the first to test, Evaluate and induct the System, so far countries either opted the Saab Erieye or the American E 2D system. 

         The ERJ 145 comes with two Rolls Royce Turbofan Engines, having wide body length the ERJ easily accommodate the Mission computers with Crew hospitality, with the five Tons of payload the system is more than enough to equip all the mission systems include the Heavy Radar. with the help of Turbo fan engines the ERJ can cruise at maximum of 800km, with the service ceiling height of more than 37,00 feet. once it can be take off from the ground it can do mission almost 4 hours or at some 3500 kilometers radius. but the same can be increased with in flight refueling on the air, where DRDO fitted the Refueling probe in the ERJ to perform mission more longer time.

         The DRDO plans to modify three ERJ planes into AEWCS where they can deliver two of them to the Indian Airforce, where another one remains DRDO's hand to study and evaluate radar and early warning systems to build larger platforms like the American E 3, where they already stepped and involved in the wide body AEWCS. 

      Here in the ERJ, It having only a single AESA Radar whose having 120 degree of looking, with the two radar fits side by side gives the view of 120+120 degree view, where most AEWCS gets 360 degree view by Triple or four Radar with rotating dome, like the A 50 and E3 AEWCS. even with the 240 degree of sight. ( Still the official Tracking range classified even may go up to 160+160). 

          The Radar has a range of some 200 kilometers with the object detection sized two square meters. also it can detect five square meter targets at 300 kilometers. the AESA radar uses the S Band to tranmist and Receive data's where IAF's phalcon uses the L band for the same.

          The ERJ AEWCS comes with some unique features like  IIF( Identification Friend or Foe) systems to identify the friendly Aircrafts and missiles and guide them to attack the enemy Fighters or any other airborne Targets, ESM ( Electronic Support measures) to support and withstand against any enemy jamming and electronic attacks, and disrupt/blind enemy Aircrafts with Electronic and Jamming systems with the Radar. also with communication support systems and Satellite communication for using satellites to transmit and receive data's from ground stations or other nearby ELINT/AEWCS or Fighter Aircrafts. 

           The Aircaft also comes with ECM ( Electronic Counter measure's ) to escape from enemy missiles, and with the Support of MAWS ( Missile Apporach Warning System)  to ensure the enemy missiles range, speed and path. also it's hard to come close to the AEWCS since it can almost blind your radar and Jam your communication system with the Huge AESA radar. 

       The DRDO expected to hand over two of the ERJ AEWCS before the end of this year, if IAF satisfied they will order more, DRDO also looking for export orders too. Air force or nay modern aircrafts won't win a war without decent Airborne Early warning control center. 

          Fleet like Indian Air force needs some 10 Medium and ten Huge AEWCS, where IAF has three A 50 phalcon (+2 in orders ) also plans to build six E3 style aewcs on the Airbus A 330, and two ERJ, makes in Future IAF have eleven full size AEWCS and two Medium size AEWCS ( more orders expected ).  IAF need a eye on the sky 24x7 to fight two front war, that's IAF need such a huge number of AEW platforms.

        With the unique capability of Airborne Radar system the ERJ can track ground movements include  Army's foot mobiles, flying projects either small UAV, Missile, or Fighter Jets, the ERJ can track and provide assistance to all of them. 

Countering Chinese S 400

Countering Chinese S 400

      It's been confirmed that Russia deliver first batch of S 400 Advanced Air Defense systems to China, the First batch comes with a Single Battalion, while China ordered Eight battalions to protect it's Territory from any Airborne Targets, A single battalion of S 400 comes with  set of 8 Missile  lunchers, a command and control post, Resupply vehicle, and a Powerful Radar and Fire control System. 

   Unlike other modern Missile systems like American PAC 3 and Indo Israeli Barak NG, the S 400 remains most powerful long range Air defense missile, it's hard to penetrate through any kind of modern anti radiation missile system, while China plans to field it's first  S 400 Battalions near Taiwan makes entire Taiwan comes under Chinese S 400 umbrella.

         The Powerful S 400 bird acquisition Radar named 92N6 can capable of detecting any flying objects at the radius of some 400 kilometers, which cover almost entire Taiwanese Air space, from Chinese mainland. it's believed that the new Radar can capable to withstand powerful jamming too, also one can't jam the Radar from Standoff distance, the source of the jammer should be near to the Radar to make the Jamming makes problems in the Radar.

      The Israeli's the only one who flown successfully above the S 300 system and it's Bird acquisition radar, even from their experience it's bit difficult to manage jamming the S 300 Radar, but the new Radar comes with S 400 even more powerful than the older system, So there is no option to defeat the Chinese Air defense umbrella , it's the Threat to Taiwan now, but sure the threat expanded to New Delhi in coming years,  means China eventually field more systems, the Eight Battalions of S 400 gives good coverage from their Enemy's air asserts.

      The Deployment planned as each for, Taiwan, Senaku Diayou, Sparatly Parcel, South China sea, Tibetan AR, another for Protect their mainland.

        The Taiwan Already stocking bunch of Anti Radiation missiles, but they need to approach the S 400 systems. also it's hard to find the Radar posts in the Battalion, like some eight launchers positioned some 10 mile Radius and Radar and command post inside the heart of the circle, so first It's hard to find the Radar.

     Second, Even if you managed to fly very low without detected, The S 400 contingent comes with three different  missile sets, first one Specially for ABM, it can't engage other air borne targets mainly one of two launchers comes with Such missiles, another set comes with Long Range interception, can intercept any kind of flying object within 200km Range, that means which can kill even smaller Loitering UAV's to Heavy Stealth Bombers, since that uses semi active radar Homing. it can kill almost all flying wings, one should remember China has good numbers of land based CIWS. to protect high value threats from enemy attacks.

       Interestingly, the S 400 systems Radar can track the Stealth Objects such as American high end B 2 Bomber and F 22 Fighter, once the missile gets command and inputs from radar, missile itself goes and kill the Target, also known as fire and forget mode, but its hard to the missile can find the Stealth targets such as F 22 and B 2, meaning  the same semi active radar guided missile easily jammable by most American systems, like E 2 D and other AEWCS planes, even the F 18 G growler can jam the missile, with the stealth and high ECM Characteristics it's difficult to get target lock because those missile uses Radar homing for Target lock.

      Without proper AEWCS support, the Chinese can't achieve the Kill, so the system is same like the other , another set in the battalion comes with even smaller  range missile variant, which also perform same characteristics but even more powerful for engage low flying objects, this missile uses Active Radar Homing, which can be counter-able.

       So the Chinese S 400 good for ABM only, but only good Pilots with supported Fighters and Planes can defeat such high end Radar system, like only Americans have such good systems to defeat the Chinese S 400.

        If the same battalion fielded into Tibet or near to Indian borders, It's clear we don't have the option to kill the S 400, we don't have enough number of dedicated Jamming Fighters, No Stealth Fighters, no good ARM missiles, so India need a Decade to makes it's muscle stronger to defeat the S 400. while China gets all it's S 400 before 2018.  

V 22 Osprey

V 22 Osprey

V 22 in a AEWCS Config . fan art

        As of now the world's one and only VTOL Aircraft is the Bell Boeing V 22 Osprey forget the AV 8 Harrier which is a VTOL Fighter/Bomber. The US Marines is the Primary Operator of the V 22 which is primarily built for their purpose to quick insertion in any kind of worst forntiers. The US Airforce Special forces also uses the V 22 while they previously used the S 70 and the Boeing CH 47. the Primary use of the V 22 is nothing but quickly transport the Troops at far range compared to other helicopters and provide Logistics supports to the friendlies fighting in the frontier.

           Due to the Capablity of VTOL it can be land any kind of LHD, and Aircraft carriers. This impressed the English Navy to think add something the V 22 and place it in the Future Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. Yes the QE can carry bunch of F 35 B VTOL Aircrafts along with the NH 90 for ASW support but it doesn't have any AEW and Refueler Platforms to enhance the performance of the Carrier Flight Ops. unlike other Ski Jump and Flat top carriers they use the Russian based Ka 31 AEW platform. But England need more Spohicicated Platform can perform what the American and French E 2D is doing the carrier borne complete AEWCS ( Airborne Early Warning and Control System ). so they plans to add a  AESA Radar in the V 22 and add some more Jamming devices and Support systems into the V 22 to make a Lethal AEWCS System. due to the Flat top model the QE can't able to support the E 2D. which works only on the CATOBAR platforms.

Possible Mission package of V 22 AEWCS

          The same problem for India too operating two Big sized carries both STOBAR platform. Their Primary  AEW is a limited due to the Ka 31. which is a Child compared to the American E 2D System. also the only available Air refueler is the Mig 29K buddy Refeuling system. but placing four V 22 in each of our carrier two V 22 configured as a Dedicated AEWCS and two V 22 in a Aerial Tanker Configuration. both sets perfectly hold the INS Vikramaditya and the IAC 1 Vikranth. Don't worry about the IAC 2 Vishaal Navy plans to add EMALS (Electro Magnetic Assisted Take off and Landing System )  and Nuke Propulsion. so which can easily house the E 2D Hawkeye and the C 2 Greyhound logistics Support Aircraft. 

V 22 Refeuling a Navy Hornet

         As of Now Indian Special forces too shown interests in the V 22 system which can be used for Special operations in Jungle's and Other tough Terrains. where they get it or not Surely the Navy's plans will be better for Enhance the Carrier Operating Capability.

       The Indian officials get briefed by the Boeing team twice  about the performance and evaluation of the V 22. But the Government still didn't shown any signals on to it.      

The Official Performance Characteristics from Wikipedia

• Crew: Four (pilot, copilot and two flight engineers/crew chiefs)
• Capacity:
  
  • 24 troops (seated), 32 troops (floor loaded), or
  • 20,000 lb (9,070 kg) of internal cargo, or up to 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of external cargo (dual hook)
  • 1× Growler light internally transportable ground vehicle
• Length: 57 ft 4 in (17.5 m)
• Empty weight: 33,140 lb (15,032 kg)
• Loaded weight: 47,500 lb (21,500 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 60,500 lb (27,400 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Allison T406/AE 1107C-Liberty turboshafts, 6,150 hp (4,590 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 275 knots (509 km/h, 316 mph) at sea level / 305 kn (565 km/h; 351 mph) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
• Cruise speed: 241 kn (277 mph, 446 km/h) at sea level
• Stall speed: 110 kn (126 mph, 204 km/h) in airplane mode
• Range: 879 nmi (1,011 mi, 1,627 km)
• Combat radius: 390 nmi (426 mi, 722 km)
• Ferry range: 1,940 nmi (2,230 mi, 3,590 km) with auxiliary internal fuel tanks
• Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)

Folded wing house good for Field in Carriers

The US Navy E 2D AEWCS system