INS Vishal design phase close to complete

INS Vishal design phase close to complete

The Indian Navy's next generation aircraft carrier dubbed as INS Vishal's designing phase almost close to completion with few other decisions still on pending, the major subsystem in the carrier, that's the aircraft launching system and the length of the aircraft carrier is completed. Both US and India will soon finalize the propulsion system too.

The proposed design shows the aircraft carrier has an length of some 280 meters, with two EMAL launchers developed by the US major General Atomics, some also confirms the aircraft also features the advanced arresting gear made by the same GA. Those systems can capable to launch and arrest lighter aircraft like surveillance UAV to heavy fighter jets like F 35.

India also plans to buy the F 18 E/F and the F 18 G from another US major Boeing, who is currently in talks with Indian government to start a assembly line in India, to supply Indian air force, However details also emerged that the INS Vishal carries the F 35 C once the carrier is ready.

Those carriers are smart nowadays capable to launch small aircraft's like UAV's to heavy fighter jets and support planes like E 2D for airborne early warning. India earlier operated a assisted launching carrier INS Vikrant junior, who decommissioned in 1997. It's the second time that IN going to operate the assisted launching carriers.

INS Vishal comes with two launching points, to simultaneously launch two aircraft's, both can capable to launch aircraft's weighing from one ton to 32 tons. The F 35 C is one of the heaviest fighter can be operated from aircraft carrier whose MTOW reported close to 32 tons. The IN's current MiG 29 K's MTOW reported at some 24 tons. More weight means more power and weapon carrying capability.

EMLAS is the better replacement for current generation steam catapults operated by both US and French Navy's today. The EMAL has lower operating costs, require fewer people to operate, improve catapult performance and expand the range of manned and unmanned aircraft that the aircraft carrier can launch.

The INS Vishal almost close to the same length of current INS vikramaditya, both will have the length of some 280 meters. however performance wise the Vishal is far better than the vikramaditya. The INS Vishal might comes with the displacement of some 50-60,000 tonnages only. Since the EMAL requires less space and power.

By assumption the aircraft can carry some 40 aircraft's, which include two to four E 2D AEW planes, and additionally 10 to 12 ton helicopters like S 70 and EC 725, the capacity is almost similar to the current French carrier Charles de Gaulle. The specifications are more enough for the Indian Navy, to act as a force multiplier.

It's the propulsion system issue is the only problem yet to be sorted out, Once it was cleared US and India will select a Shipyard to start constructing the carrier. The actual progress behind the propulsion based on nuclear reactor unavailable so far to public release. It's believed the issue to be sorted out before the fall of 2016. 

INS Vishal : 2nd meeting of Indo US officials held in New Delhi

INS Vishal : 2nd meeting of Indo US officials held in New Delhi 

2nd Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC) meeting between India & United States concludes in New Delhi

The 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation (JWGACTC), constituted under the auspices of the Indo – US Defence Trade and Technology Initiative, was organised in India from 15 to 18 Feb 16. 

An 11 member delegation of the US Side, headed by Rear Admiral Thomas J Moore, Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers (United States Navy), visited various defence/ industrial installations in India including the Shore Based Test Facility at Goa, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. The delegation also visited the first Indian Indigenous Aircraft Carrier being constructed at CSL.

The concluding session of the Joint Working Group Meeting was held on 18 Feb 16 at New Delhi and was co-chaired by Vice Admiral GS Pabby, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition and Rear Admiral Thomas J Moore, Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers (United States Navy). During this meeting, various aspects of cooperation in the field of aircraft carrier technology were discussed and a joint statement signed.

The meeting was attended by members of the Joint Working Group and relevant representatives from IHQ MoD (N), HQIDS, DRDO and Ministry of External Affairs, India. 

PTI

Carter meets top Indian command sets course for a strategic relationship

Carter visits Delhi sets tone for renewed partnership

    The visiting US defense Secretary Ashton Carter who toured India for two days met Indian delegates and defense officials in Delhi. Carter called on PM Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar, NSA Ajit Doval and EAM Sushma Swaraj and paved way for a more robust relationship between the countries. During the meet Parrikar and Carter discussed way to strength the strategic partnership the countries share. Carter and Parrikar signed the new framework for the bilateral defense and strategic partnership. The framework will be set the tone for the partnership for the next ten years, co-development and co-manufacturing figured mainly in the discussion. Carter also took forward the decision which the countries had made during US President Obama’s last visit to India. The deals will now be worked under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) frame work.

India and US also signed agreements for two ground breaking projects under which Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and Protective Ensembles for the troops will be jointly developed. The nations also agreed to renew the help in development jet engines and Aircraft carrier technologies. Several key project details which could help encourage America to participate in ‘Make in India’ campaign were also discussed. America has been one of the strongest supporters for ‘Make in India’ campaign which promises to revolutionize the lacking defense industry. America is also India’s leading defense import partner and has been providing India with state-of-the art technologies over the years. The C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemasters and the P-8I are some of the finest examples. 

    

 

Before arriving to Delhi, Carter landed in INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam. Carter was briefed about the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) operations. Carter’s visit to the Eastern sea board gains significance with America and India teaming up to challenge the aggressive Chinese in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. America has promised to provide India with advanced naval technologies to boost India’s operation under its ‘Act East’ policy. Carter was given a tour of INS Sahyadri, which is one of the most stealth enabled frigate operating under the Indian navy. Indian Officials discussed many things include major deals like EMALS and Joint engine production Technology, First day Carter Lands in the Naval base Vizag and met Eastern Naval Command Officials, and Mad a Tour inside INS Shaydri a Naval Frigate, Next day he went New Delhi and met Indian Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and National security Advisor, after a broad meeting with Indian Defense officials about Possible Developments future Indo-American relationship.

The battlefield operations and capabilities have received a major boost with India and US signing co-development of Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources. These hybrid mobile generators are used to power to the battlefield equipments. Indian armed forces were till date using BEL supplied power sources which on worked on conventional fuels. India and US will also develop a next generation protective ensembles which will be crucial in guarding soldiers from biological and chemical attacks. With this the front line soldiers can operate even in potential radioactive scenarios.  

The signed DTTI agreement promises to help improve the already ecstatic relationship further more with its flexible export rules. The DTTI will be the basic framework for US-India to share a platform for the co-developing technologies. DTTI is poised to be a major contributor to India’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign. DTTI also promises to help India evolve as a leading ‘exporter’ by mastering technologies. Carter was instrumental in materializing DTTI, during his tenure as the Deputy Secretary of Defence Carter had sighted India’s growing and rapidly modernizing Indian defence market. The cumbersome process of ToT under which India has signed several deals will now be made easier under DTTI. More G-G deal can be seen, with India-America countering a common threat in the Asia-Pacific region a stronger relationship is guaranteed.    

Carter took forward the key pathfinder projects India-America had agreed to work upon jointly paving way for more advanced and robust technologies. 

         

USA had agreed to help India develop hot engines which are apt for operations in the subcontinent conditions. India had earlier constituted the Kaveri engine project which was slated to power the LAC. But the project was curtailed after finding the program economically unviable for the LCA project. The ground was conceived for powering the more powerful AMCA project. USA has now come forward to assist India in developing a hot engine based on the GE supplied engines. USA will now assist India in developing the GE F404 turbo fan jet engines in India which are currently powering the LCA project. US will also help India produce more powerful jet engines that can power the Tejas MK2 and can also serve as a benchmark for the under development AMCA project. US will sell India a few engines off the shelves and the rest will be manufactured in India.

           

India boosts one of the biggest navies which is in the transition from a regional navy to a blue water navy. With America supporting India in materializing its ‘Act East’ policy, a key part of it would be to help India modernize its navy. America also has realized that the only regional power to check China in its track would be India and India alone. Displaying its trust in India, America has offered the most advanced Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch Technology (EMALS) to India. EMALS is being currently inducted on the new USS Gerald R Ford class carriers. Indian navy operates STOBAR configuration carriers with which the launch capability is greatly compromised. EMALS will help in launching heavier aircraft with and will be the first flat top carrier of the Indian navy. EMALS is an extremely costly initial investment technology but will be extremely cost effective for operations. Compared to the traditional steam powered catapults the EMALS can launch heavier aircraft more swiftly and with minimal stress on the air frame. India is in the final stages of finalizing designs for IAC-II and will now officially approach USA for the EMALS technology if it chooses for a flat top carrier. Carter also announced that a US team charged with Carrier design would be visiting Delhi in the near future to conduct conclusive talks about the deal.

          

India has also shown interest in acquiring two Raytheon Sentential Aircrafts for ISTAR(Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance ) missions. ARC currently operates ISTAR aircraft based on Bombardier platform which were redesigned in Israel. India had shown in these aircraft way back in 2011 but a deal was not conceived. The then government had decided to acquire these platforms with the help of Israeli’s. The ISTAR aircraft are an integral part of armed forces. These aircraft will help in pinpoint analysis of enemy location. Britain had used these aircraft to track down the children Boko Haram militants had taken hostage in Nigeria. Further progress in this deal is awaited and be declared in the coming days.       

    

   


Editor – Karthik Kakoor  

INS Vishal

INS Vishal

           

      The Navy's most ambitious project is the Nuclear powered Super Carrier, not only for Indian navy the same applies to all other major Navy's, so far Americans and French have operational Super carriers, and Britain almost completed two Super carrier constructions which expected to sea trials this year.

       So far Indian Navy operates only conventionally powered Aircraft carrier for almost decades, while another Aircraft carrier in the making, Navy's dream about Nuclear powered Super carrier nearly comes real, while recent developments in the Navy where CCS okay-ed the project. earlier reports confirmed the IAC 2 comes with nuclear propulsion along with CATOBAR or EMALS, But some recent reports are not quite clear about the Super carrier, says all options on the Table.

     But the recent  eye opener, Tellis report mentioning US participation arming the Indians to fight against Chinese threats, the dream of EMAL again brighten, He not only mentions the EMAL but strongly pressed the possible sale of F 35 fighter jets along with the DTTI, where Delhi and Washington agreement about defense trade and technology.

       While Navy chief clearly mentions  the future of the Navy's blue water capability lies only on the Air Power, mentions carrier air power should be boosted, while current carrier's and it's air wing has it's limitations due to the launching systems, one need a Catapult or EMAL to launch heavier aircrafts with heavy payloads, current MiG 29K from INS vikky and future IAC 1 lacks, so navy needs a more powerful Carrier to launch much heavier air crafts.

        Also the current carriers has only helicopter based airborne early warning radar the Ka 31, who also lacks power, range and performance, while the E 2 D system works more than a AEW but have decent jamming support. earlier Navy asked the Gruman to brief about the E 2D while Navy has plans to operate from Shore based facilities.

      The Navy also described that the Carrier comes with three Air options like Navy's F 18 E/F Fighter Jets  with EA 18 G growler electronic attack Jet or The American F 35 C, otherwise the French Rafale M. all of them designed to work with super carrier also comes with longer range and heavier payload. unlike Mig 29K lacks ranges and payload due to ski jump Take off.

    The US def Sec Ashton Carter scheduled comes India early June to seal the much awaited Helicopter deal, also government plans to start the official Negotiations/agreement works with the US to start transferring the Technology of EMAL systems.

      During the Navy seminar in India May first some US Navy Top officials joined and explained the possibility of future super carrier technology and using it in the battle, the general atomics staff also speak about the EMAL systems technology and it's applications, the company who developed the EMAL for US super carrier Gerald R Ford.

EMALS- Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launcing System

EMALS (ELECTRO MAGNETIC AIRCRAFT LAUNCH SYSTEM)

 An Excellent Represenation of EMAL launch

EMAL is the USS Gerald R Ford Aircraft Carrier

      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.

         When the President of United States of America visited India many defence projects were cleared for co-produced. Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) that was initiated in 2012, under which the US and India would work on co-development and co-manufacturing projects has been given renewed interest. Four "pathfinder projects" were identified during Obama's visit the four products to be co-produced are the Raven mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), "roll-on, roll-off" intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance modules for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, mobile electric hybrid power sources, and chemical-biological warfare protection gear for soldiers.

A heavy E 2D Launch by EMAL , just a 50 mts enough

With US Navy unable to check the movement of Chinese ships has requested Indian Navy to join the efforts and has asked to stand out openly in the South China issue. Indian Navy has received substantially from the US counterpart. With India raring to be a ‘blue water’ force has been very keen on operating at least a “ three CBG (Carrier Battle Group) “ with one serving on the western and the other on the eastern water fronts. And another in docks for maintenance.  India has had experience with the CBG’s and has operated a two front CBG. The carriers operated by the Navy are of STOBAR (Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration. But with a STOBAR configuration launching heavier aircrafts could not be achieved. It is crucial to operate reconnaissance missions but this requires the ability to launch heavier aircrafts and this in turn requires using the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery). Under the IAC (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) plans the IAC-I was configured with a STOBAR launch system and the IAC-II is being planned to be configured with the CATOBAR systems. With CATOBAR systems being very hard to maintain the Navy has went with the latest EMALS system to assist launching heavier aircrafts off the carriers.

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a system being developed by General Atomics for the United States Navy to be fitted on the newest Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. This system would effectively replace the old steam propelled catapult aircraft launch system on the old carriers. EMALS is a highly sophisticated system that is being fitted out on the Gerald class carriers. The system has passed all initial tests and the first land based prototype passed testing by June 2010. The current steam catapults being used in the CATOBAR system require about 615 kg/ 1,350 pounds of steam for each aircraft launch, and this steam in return produced from the nuclear reactor. To propel the catapult forward huge amount of hydraulics and steam is essential. Generation of this steam is an extremely demanding procedure and requires high amount of purified water be piped through the nuclear reactor. This involves very high maintenance. EMALS being a electric driven launch system has many advantages and mainly is a system that requires extremely less maintenance.

The EMALS is based on generation and utilization of electric current rather than the old practice of using steam.  The whole system works on the principle of Electromagnetic induction. 

The Projectile is anything a Launch system or a Bullet too

The major components of EMALS are –

• Linear induction motor
• Energy storage subsystem
• Power conversion subsystem
• Control Consoles

Program status

Linear induction motor                                                                                                

    Linear Induction motor is a motor that is used to achieve rectilinear motion rather than the traditional circular motors that is generated using a common electric motor.  A linear electric motor typically consists of a flat magnetic core with transverse slots which are often cut straight and with coils laid into slots, each phase gives an alternating polarity and so that the different phases physically overlap each other. In an induction motor the force is produced by linearly moving magnetic field acting on conductors in the field. Any conductor be it a loop, a coil or simply a piece of plate metal, that is placed in this field will have eddy currents induced in it thus creating an opposing magnetic field, in accordance with Lenz's law.

   When energized, the motor accelerates the carriage down the track and the carriage in turn takes the aircraft along and propels it off the deck. With the charge being inducted into the motor only the section of the coils surrounding the carriage is energized. With only the coils being energised the reactive losses is minimised to a very great extent. With the LIM EMALS can accelerate an aircraft of around 45000 kgs to about 240 km/h.

Energy storage subsystem

        To propel the carriage at the speed required the induction motor requires very large amount of electric power. The current required to attain this speed required production of current which is actually more than the power that can be obtained from the ship's own power source. The EMALS is therefore put with a energy-storage subsystem which draws power from the ship’s main power source and stores the procured energy kinetically on rotors armed with four disk alternators. This energy is then stored and the alternators running and the process repeats till the need for an aircrafts launch is felt. When the systems are activated for the launch of an aircraft the system releases the stored energy in a very short period of time as against the time required for production of steam in the traditional stem propelled catapults. Each rotor can easily store more than 100 mega joules of energy. To reduce the time betweens launch of each aircraft it the system has been configured to be recharged within 45 seconds of a launch which is way faster than steam catapults.

Power conversion subsystem

       With the energy produced with the help of the linear induction motor the produced energy is stored in Energy storage subsystem. After the energy is stored it is crucial for the same energy to be released when a launch is required. The basic function of the power conversion subsystem is to release the stored energy in the energy storage subsystems during launch; this is brought about by using a cycloconverter. A cycloconverter is used to covert a constant voltage, constant frequency AC waveform to another AC waveform of a lower frequency by synthesizing the output waveform from segments of the AC supply without an intermediate DC link. The cycloconverter provides a controlled rising frequency and voltage to the LIM, energizing only the small portion of stator coils that affect the launch carriage at any given moment.

Control consoles

      It is crucial for the EMALS to be controlled and monitored constantly and it is also crucial to maintain a constant voltage for the LIM and to look make sure the launch of the aircrafts will be a uninterrupted process. This whole process is brought about by control units which are responsible for control through closed loop structure. And this in turn allows the operators to maintain a constant tow force that reduces the stress on a aircrafts airframe to a large extent.

         The IAC-II is in advanced stage of planning and is rumoured to be propelled by nuclear fuel. Also the carrier is being rumoured to be around 65000 tonnes which makes the IAC-II the heaviest Indian build ship. The main focus of a CBG is to extend the reach of the countries forces. But India has never been in the global race for projecting a control regime environment. Even after the carrier is inducted it’s area of operation may only be around the IOR or the EEZ. If the CBG is charged with the safeguarding of EEZ then reconnaissance is going to be a important part of the CBG’s daily routine. This requires the launch of heavier aircrafts like the E-2D Hawk eye that is to be part of the carrier’s air wing. This means the navy has to opt for a CATOBAR configuration. But with the EMALS being a very newly introduced system it has to be seen if the Navy command goes with the EMALS or opts to the more proven ‘ steam propelled’ catapults to launch these aircrafts.

Article By Karthik Kakoor