Revamping WW2 Airfield in Panagarh

Revamping WW2 Airfield in Panagarh

  The Indian Airforce plans to use the abandoned airfields near to the borders, where it was used earlier in the world war two to counter the Japanese advancement in south Asia, after the end of the war those Air fields are abandoned  and out of actions, but with the growing threats of Chinese in eastern borders, the Government plans to use those abandoned structures, as per the initial plan the world war two airfield Panagrah is in the table,  the Air field transferred to the Air force special operations teams to revamp the entire structure.

   The Government plans to field special operations unit for quick deployment, for that they plans to use much advanced STOL Aircraft's and high mobility Army units, the Air force plans to field the American special operation plane C 130 J Super Hercules, which is a short take off and land special operation plane used world wide,  currently the Air force operates six brand new C 130 J, which is already proved it's capability by landing world's highest airfield Doulat Beg oldie and assisted many humanitarian missions, unfortunately a C 130 J lost in a crash when Air force pushed in very tough maneuvering in very low flight and very close flying, India Replaces the Crashed one with newer one  from USA.

    At first the Air force plans to  look on the runway, the runway is some 2700 meters long , but almost out of conditions, the Air force set a timeline to clear the runway before July this year, and the Air force engineering unit successfully modified the runway to operate newest fighters and small cargo planes from the runway. as recently the Air force successfully lands a C 130 J super Hercules, those Hercules are from AFS Hindon, Utter Pradesh, but used to evaluate many operational readiness procedure across the country. the Successful landing and Take off proves that the Air field can support medium lift cargo planes  like C 130 J.

     In second logistics and maintenance support, before fielding the Air crafts, the base needed to be accommodate all the Planes, plus support elements like ground crew, spare parts, storage, Fuel dumps, and Hanger facilities, the IAF ordered additional six more C 130 J from Lockheed martin to field it in AFS Panagarh, such facilities are available only in AFS Hindon where first six  C130 J are deployed, Engineers from Indian Air force and Lockheed martin already started working in Panagarh, and it expected to be finished before the arrival of new batch of C 130J, who's induction timeline is not available.  the Air force also plans to include a Tanker variant of C 130 J named KC 130 J.

   It's also believed that the newly raised Mountain Strike Corps , will be stationed here in AFS Panagarh, the newly raised 14 corps comprises 80,000 Army Soldiers include Officers, with the         C 130 J those mountain strike corps can be deployed in quick moments in case of any activities, both in war and humanitarian assistance. where each C 130 J can carry 90 fully armed Soldiers and drop in any tough terrains,  even it can perform touch and go landings in roads and unpaved runways, which allows the Soldiers can jump from the C 130 J for Special operations or low level infiltrations.

  Earlier in the 1971 war the Air field used to perform Air force missions, Fighters like Mig 21 and Su 7 is operated from this Air force base.   

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Operation Maitri - Restoring and Rebuilding Nepal

 Operation Maitri – Rebuilding Nepal

   At around 12’0 on 25th the April, the earth shook in Nepal and across northern and eastern India. Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earth quake which reduced the nation to rubble's, Eastern India bear the brunt with the several buildings across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. The earth quake triggered avalanches across the Himalayan range. Landslides were witnesses and major roads were taken out.

       Aftershocks continued for several days, the highest measuring almost up to 7.1 on the Richter scale. The earth quake had left a trail of destruction and several villages across Nepal were left inaccessible. Going by the magnitude of the earthquake it was sure that the casualties suffered in the calamity was very high and the rescue missions were the need of the hour.

      Nepal was overwhelmed by the scale of destruction and with a limited military and para-military force was forced to look out for a multi-nation rescue operation. Being Nepal’s immediate neighbor India responded with in minutes to the request. PM Modi promised a full scale rescue mission would be mounted within the shortest possible span.

        It was decided that the immediate response team would consist of rescue and medical teams which were formed by the NDRF and Ghurkha regiment officers. The first C-130J carrying NDRF officials and 3 tonnes of medical and emergency supplies took off by 4:00 PM. Air force, Army and NDRF assets were immediately put on standby for any eventuality. GOI planned further missions once the airport in Nepal was declared safe for operations.

      The NDRF was charged with carrying out the rescue and relief mission and the army was charged with setting up facilities for relief operations. By the evening ten teams from the NDRF consisting of almost 500 personnel and sniffer dogs were ordered to be flown to Nepal with the assistance of IAF. With the KTM airport being declared safe for operations, IAF rolled out the gigantic C-17 Globe master III.

     The C-17 on the first day was dispatched to KTM with NDRF teams, Rapid Action Medical Teams (RAMT) and Medical teams. The aircraft also carried essential supplies which consisted of blankets, food packets, water, medical supplies, tents and transportable operation theaters for the RAMT. The IL-76 heavy lifters were also pressed into action. By the first day Indian Air Force had carried out more than 20 sorties and had evacuated thousands of survivors which included citizens from US, UK and many other nations.

      IAF had operated sorties throughout the night flying to and fro from KTM. By the second day the operation was officially code named “Operation Maitri “, IAF by then had pressed more than 10 aircraft into action which included the C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76, C-130J and An-32’s. Sunday morning flights were dedicated to transporting urgent medical supplies and medical teams. Engineering teams were also dispatched which were instrumental in setting up forward field hospitals and tents to accommodate the survivors.

           The second half of the day saw IAF making sorties with additional NDRF teams and engineering teams. Almost 50 tons of water and 22 tons of food supplies were stacked up in KTM airport. India also started mounting a huge scale evacuation operation and operated 35 buses from Nepal. Bad weather and repeated aftershocks forced IAF to hold back pressing the helicopters into service.




          On the ground the NDRF and the Army jawans had started searching for survivors. NDRF teams were pulling out survivors from debris. The injured were being treated in first aid centers setup across the nation. To treat the critically wounded were being taken care of in forward field hospitals which included OT’s and ICU’s.

         The engineering teams primarily started constructing as many field hospitals possible and then concentrated on pitching up tents for the survivors. The engineering team was also put in charge of clearing debris and clearing roads, which could then help gain access to remote villages. With the tents setup the army started with the process of distributing food and water to the affected and the process of rehabilitation to the centers started.

         With roads being rendered inactive many villages remained inaccessible, to access these villages IAF pitched in their helicopters. IAF initially deployed 8 Mi-17 and 2 Dhruv’s to assist in the operations. The Mi-17 and Dhruv dropped relief supplies to the worst affected valleys where landing was not possible. Several wounded and stranded people were evacuated in the helicopters from the remotest areas. Dhruv under the Army Aviation corps was also pitched into service.

      The rotary crafts served the remotest areas of Nepal and helped save thousands of injured and survivors. The Mi-17 were based at Pokhara and Kathmandu. These Mi-17’s were part of the large scale relief and rescue operations in inaccessible areas like Barpak, Gorkha, Aroghat and Lukla.

       The combined Indian forces worked in Nepal for well over 40 days. The Air force and army together flew more than 2223 sorties in a span of just 38 days. About 11200 people were transported to safer places and about 1700 tonne of relief material was dropped for people in distress. The Rapid Action Medical Teams (RAMT) cared for almost 4762 injured people and conducted more than 300 successful operations.

  
  The NDRF worked tirelessly to restore human life in Kathmandu. NDRF saved thousands of life’s even as the earth shook when they deep inside buildings. The Engineering Task Force (ETF) cleared many routes which were rendered inactive because of the quake and landslides. The ETF were instrumental in help re-connect villages which helped in relief operations. The ETF also restored several hundred buildings and bridges across the nation.

      The earth quake was the worst calamity to have struck Nepal after the 1934 earth quake. More than 9000 people lost their life and the quake left 22000 people injured. The earth quake left a trail of destruction rendering thousands of Nepali’s homeless, homes and buildings were razed to the ground. After shocks has continued to rock Nepal keeping its people in constant fear. More than 450000 people have been displaced and have lost their livelihood.

        Widespread avalanches and landslides were reported across the nation further endangering human life. The economic loss Nepal has suffered cannot be calculated at the movement but with its limited resources it is extremely hard for Nepal alone to fund reconstruction programs. US, India and the World Bank have stepped forward to assist Nepal with the rehabilitation programs. With the help of India and the world fraternity, Nepal has promised to be back on its feet. I sincerely wish Nepal regains its status and thrives as India’s most reliable neighbor.

Article - Karthik Kakoor

Broad Range of Air lifter from Indian Air force

Broad Range of Air lifter from Indian Air force

     The Indian Air force operates several kind of Air lifters include Fixed and rotary wings, for both Transport and Resupply. the Indian Air force operates some types of Air lifters which is best in it's Field, Like C 17 for Strategic An 32 for Tactical and  C 130  for Specail operations.

C 17 Globe Master III

         To boost Strategic Air operations IAF decided to buy the Best Strategic Air lifter C 17 from US, as of now IAF operates ten C 17, which makes IAF  second bigger operator of C 17 outside USA. where IAF also requested the Ministry to buy another six  C17, since the Induction of C 17 almost shows it's performance all over the world evacuating Indian personals in case of emergency. from Libya to last Yemeni Evacuation IAF used the C 17 for round a clock operations, and the C 17 performed very well without any glitches.

         With the quick change of cargo and Transport options by removing or Adding passenger seat, the C 17 performed very well during Maldives water crisis and Nepal Earth Quake, the C 17 can carry some  77 tons of payload with the Range of 4000 kilometers, or it can carry 134 Troops with the Range of 10,000 kilometers, makes them a True Strategic Air lifter.

IL 76 Candid

   

        The IL 76 also a Strategic multipurpose Air lifter, IAF operates 17 of them for transporting and Cargo handling, the IL 76 is made by Ilyushin Russia, the IL 76 also used in many situations, but It's mostly used for Support and Logistics delivery for IAF fighter Aircrafts,  but it can also act as a Troop transporter and Resupply during war time, since the peacetime operating costs are much higher compared to the C 17, Indian Air force uses the IL 76 for extreme purpose only.

         IAF operates six IL 78 MKI refulers for aerial Tanker, and another two were modified to carry rotating radar dome for Airborne control center, three more in order, makes the IL 76 numbers to 17+6+2 and optional three more. The IL 76 MD can carry 60 tons of cargo with a Range of more than 3500 kilometers.

         some IL 76 can carry two 23mm cannon in the back side to shoot any threats, since it's obsolete, IAF didn't use th Guns, or they removed it,  where the details still not available for Public release.

C 130 J Super Hercules

         One of the finest Tactical air lifter in the world which can do amazing mission, land and Take off from any kind of unpaved runways, It can take off and Land in beaches, it can land in world' highest Air Strip Daulat Beg Oldie. so far IAF operates five C 130 where one was lost in a mission where IAF pilots doing practice how to fly low and maneuver, the lost one will be replaced by newer one where Ministry cleared to Purchase, Also IAF plans to acquire additional 6 C 130 J to boost the strategic Air lift and Special operational Quick Deployments.

     the C 130 can do amazing operations, since it is very useful for conducting special operations inside or outside friendly territories. the C 130 also used in several humanitarian efforts like sending NDRF peoples and delivering aid and resupply during Heavy flood in Uthrakhand also in Nepal Earth quake C 130J did awesome missions, 

     The C 130 is an Tactical air lifter which can carry some 90+ Airborne Paratroopers with the Range of some 5000 kilo meters, and with reduced range it can carry 20 Tons of cargo.

An 32 Cline

     

    Indian Air force's another work horse is the Ukrainian made An 32 twin turboprop tactical air lifter, the An 32 did some awesome air lift during emergency situations and war times. He is the lone super hero by performing missions over Kashmir and High Altitude Air strips, Since it's very good for Tactical support only, IAF will not use for other Purposes.

     IAF operates nearly 100+ An 32, which were recently upgraded in Ukraine with new avionics, modern oxygen supply system and improved crew seats, which makes the An 32 too keep the arrival of Medium Transport Aircraft The HAL UAC MTA.

       The An 32 can carry some 40+ paratroopers for special operations with the range of some 2500 Kilometers, also it can carry some 8 tons of payload with reduced Range.

Dornier Do 228-201

        The IAF uses some 40+ Do 228 for logistics and resupply purposes, with more than 14 such aircrafts in orders, the Do 228 is a good less weight utility Aircraft, can operate in any rough conditions, which makes the Do 228 is a STOL capable aircraft,

       Since it's primarily used for logistics, IAF used for certain utility purpose only, the State owned HAL assembles the Do 228 and delivering it to Coast guard, and Navy makes the most efficient utility platform in Indian Conditions 

Nepal Hit by 7.9 Earthquake

Nepal Hit by 7.9 Earthquake

  It's in the Morning that a Heavy Earthquake hit Nepal's Capital Kathmandu and makes severe damage to the Peoples and Properties, it was measured by 7.9 in USGS Richter scale, within 30 minutes another 7.5 hit same place 80km near Kathmandu 

   The shock wave even shakes entire North India, and peoples feel scared when high pound of shakes. 

       The Indian Ministry acted quickly and setup ed hot lines and emergency team to assist the peoples, India first taken care of Indian states who borders near by Nepal who also struck by the Earth quake, 

     Within moments India also contacted Nepal govt and offered it's assistant and makes standby both Armed Forces and National Disaster Response Forces.

      within moments IAF get orders from both govt to drop NDRF team to Kathmandu for Rescue mission, IAF pushes the Operation by launching a C 130 J Hercules loaded with NDRF team and assisted equipment’s, who just landed in Earth quake affected area, and start the rescue and support mission.

      Also C 130 J performs aerial recon missions to provide the NDRF team about way points and guiding them to reach stranded peoples.

      Also another C 17 loaded with Rapid reaction Aero Medical Team, along with Medical teams and Doctors, who can provide Medical assistance to them. Which act as a Mini hospital also have Hgh end Operation Theater too.

     Not over so , MOD also reports another NDRF Team loaded into a IL 78 Air lifter and will be reach Kathmandu within minutes. 

Another C 17, C 130 Ready with aids will reach Kathmandu if orders were issued, And just now PM orders immediate dispatch of relief and medical teams to Nepal, directs evacuation of Indian tourists.   

 As of now the causalities  reported more than 400 in Nepal.      

US to supply Missile Warning Systems to India

US to supply Missile Warning Systems to India

The IAF C 130 showing It's AN AAR 47 MAWS in the Tail

Detailed Image representation of AN AAR 47 Fittings

         With the new government keen on developing the relationship of India with the global power USA has help forge several hundred deals. The governments have adopted the new motto --- "Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go". The governments have stressed on bilateral ties in trade, commerce, banking, industries and military systems. 

  The US-India military forces and command believes in freedom, democracy, and government by rule of law, and to increase security trough out the globe. These interests also include maintaining security and stability, defeating violent religious extremism and terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and associated materials, data, and technologies, and protecting the free flow of commerce throughout the globe prospering every country.

        The Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) that reliably warns on incoming missile attacks and allows timely activation of countermeasures to increase the platform’s survivability. Using the MAWS the countermeasures like the chaff or the flares can be automatically deployed diverting the incoming missile away from the platform. The MAWS is a fourth generation warfare system which is under production and can be used on virtually every platform ranging from helicopters, Fighter jets, AEW&C aircrafts and wide bodied jets.

     With the Indian government showing renewed interest in remote missile protection platforms the US government has come in terms with the Indian counterpart to provide Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) under the Foreign Military sale (FMS) contract. These systems are designed and developed by US based “Ortbital ATK” which is a pioneering company in threat assessment and neutralization systems. The MAWS is a crucial system to be incorporated on Air borne platforms specially the slow moving platforms. These slow platforms cannot be expected to follow a fixed course of evasive action when a SAM is fired towards them. With MAWS enabled these platforms can effectively out manoeuvre the intercepting missile and thereby saving the platform and the lives contained within.

      The Indian armed forces operate an array of Air borne platforms that perform crucial tasks involving troop movement, essentially supplies transport, surveillance aircrafts, drones, helicopters, AEW&C aircrafts and an array of other systems. Most of these platforms operate with extremely dangerous proximity to hostile forces. Hence these platforms are always vulnerable to be attacked by the hostile forces using SAM (Surface to Air Missile). Most of these platforms are huge aircrafts or slow moving under powered helicopters, these systems when fired upon cannot engage in an effective way of out manoeuvre these missiles. But these platforms are equipped with the state of the art Counter measures which when used in a effective way can easily mislead these missiles. The very main purpose of implementing MAWS is to integrate these counter measures to a digitized platform that automatically engages the missile using the build-in counter measure systems on board the platform.

         The MAWS developed by the Orbital ATK is the primary such system to be incorporated on various platforms that are being operated by the US Navy and US Air force. The system has been integrated with more than 16 air borne platforms. These platforms which include the rotary and fixed aircrafts like CH 53, C 5 have adopted the AN/AAR 47. A recent release of the Pentagon documents have confirmed the offer USA has made to India but there has been no mention of the contract values or numbers.

            The AN/AAR 47 basically works with an digitized and integrated warning system that is in turn integrated to the communication module of the pilot or the control command of the platform. The AN/AAR 47 is an radar based warning system. The system used the primary radar of the platform to effectively track any incoming hostile air borne missiles. When the system does detect a threat to the platform immediately alerts the operator of the platform of the possible in bound threat. The system is also capable of warning the user of any possible acquiring methods being deployed by the enemy their by providing the user time to perform required evasive manoeuvres. With the implementation of this system on a platform it enables the user platform to automatically dispense the counter measures that are in built to a platform.

            The main feature of this system is to provide timely warning against Infrared MAN Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS). Detecting a MANPADS is an extremely demanding task and these MANPADS do not signal their presence till the launch of the missile, they do have a detectable radiation since they do not rely on active IR, radar guidance or a laser designator. These fire-and-forget systems and lock on and engage a target, speed to the target and destroy it in seconds. But these systems however, have a very small but still visible radar signature and also since propelled by propellant a IR signature. But this signature can be visible only for a very short period of duration. To counter these missiles if the old counter measures are to be used they may be hampered by the decisions of a pilot. But if the counter measures are integrated with the MAWS the system automatically deploys the flares without any delay thereby saving the platform from a possible attack.

Components of AN AAR 47 MAWS system

         The AAR-47 missile warning system consists of 4 Optical Sensor Converters (OSC), a Computer Processor and a Control Indicator. A single optical sensor converter is positioned towards each side of the aircraft and is integrated with an infrared camera which can detect any incoming missiles. With the space on a aircraft being very limited the whole size of the component has to be extremely compact and yet powerful the AAR-47 is a very compact system and is around 32 pounds and takes very negligible space on board a aircraft.

      The system has a good combat proven record. The system was incorporated by 2006 in the US forces and has helped the forces several times from the time of induction. During the Iraq war operation a V 22 which was preparing to land was engaged by the rebels and a RPG was fired, with RPG being fired from a very close proximity the pilots had a very short time of frame to react to the threat. But the ‘V 22’ was integrated with the MAWS and the AN/AAR 71 had picked up the threat even before the pilot could implement a action plan. The MAWS simultaneously fired the counter measures which saved the helicopter and mainly crew on board.

        As of now the HAL manufactured Rudra ALH under the service of the Army uses the SAAB supplied IADS (Integrated Air Defence Suite) and the Older and heavier Mi 24 helicopters uses the Ukrainian supplied ADROS DIRCM system. But the recently inducted transport aircraft “American C 130 J “uses the Orbital ATK AN/AAR 47. There has been no information regarding the MAW the Indian Light Combat Helicopter would be using. The system can be seen being integrated on various current platforms and for the next projects implemented by HAL.

Recently Upgraded USAF A 10 showing it's AN AAR MAWS

Editor Karthik Kakoor

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