Russian Su 24 vs Turkish F 16

Russian Su 24 vs Turkish F 16

    The Syrian Civil war once again heat up with latest show down of Russian Su 24 shoot downed by a Turkish F 16 D. Tuesday Morning a Russian Su 24 M2 on a surveillance and reconnaissance mission over rebel held area in Northern Syria close to Turkey. Surveillance mission where conducted prior to bombing raids. The Northern Syria was under controlled by FSA, ISIS and Kurd Forces, all of them fighting against each other to capture grounds.

    Reports suggested a pair of Su 24 M2 fly very close to the Turkish air space. The Turkish Quick reaction forces launched two F 16 D fighters from nearby air force base to investigate the threat. Turkey said they warned atleast five times before shooting down the Russian Su 24. Many suggests the Su 24 M2 strayed the Turkish air space less than 17 seconds. A so called Wikileaks diplomat cable published a letter saying about the air space violation occurred only 17 seconds.

Letter posted by Wikileaks

     Analysts confirm that the Turkish F 16 fired a AIM 120 C from long Range, allows the fighter jet staying well inside Turkey before launching the missile, The TuAF fighter jets waited for the Su 24 M2 to enter Turkish air space and fired the AIM 120 C Missile.

    The AIM 120 C is a long range BVR missile with semi Active radar guidance. The Range of AIM 120 is more than some 100 kilometers. The missile can be guided by the F 16's Radar. and can use onboard sensor once the missile visually identify the target for high interception probability. Most of the CAP mission uses the Radar guided missile to ensure the safety of the launch aircraft. This allows little room for the enemy aircraft to out maneuver the missile and brake the missile lock.

     The Fighter jets can easily evade such long range missiles by many ways. By using ECM,Jamming,  chaff's and aircraft maneuvers. The Russians once claimed the Su 24M2 blind the USS Donald Cook's high power AN/SPY 1 AESA Radar outside Black Sea. The poor propaganda was spread by most pro Russians to cheer the Russian break through in jammers. However Military analyzers debunked the Russian claim by saying no one can defeat the Physics.

The Turkish claim of Su 24 M2 Shoot down

   The Su 24 M2's Radar warning receives and Missile approach warning receivers may alert the Crew about the incoming missile. And the onboard Jamming system will try to jam the missile's radar seeker using the high power radio frequency. But failed, Next they will try to out maneuver the  missile by maneuvering the jets to broke the lock, But again failed. At last they must launch the countermeasures to confuse the Missile. However the Su 24M2 failed to deploy countermeasures too.

Flames after Su 24 M2 hit by AIM 120C

  This proves the Russian fighters are poorly equipped to fight in modern battles. while the Americans improved much in missile seeker and ECCM techniques. The Russian state media and official Ministry of defense claimed their fighters performing very well in Syria. However this incident shown there is no notable achievements in Russian Fighter Aircraft technology.

    The Su 24 M2 is not a air superiority or multi role fighter jets, It's a Ground attack and Nuclear strike bomber. The Su 24 M2 don't have a onborad radar for scanning the airspace, Air Force analysts Avitionist.com once published photos of Russian Su 24 using America GPS Navigation, However it uses the Electro optronics to fire Infrared guided close combat missiles like R 73 and R 60 both are fire and forget short range missiles used for dog fighting.     

   The Russians need to send Su 30 SM to conduct mission close to Hostile presence area. that can perform such aerial combat missions. Otherwise they need a multi role fighter aircraft like the western Rafale or EFT, Which is suited best for conducting reconnaissances as well as combat air missions. Anyhow this a small lesson to Russian origin Aircraft operators about the capabilities of Russian fighter jets in real battlefield.

   Warnings were issued to foreign aircraft's when they fly very close to sovereign air space, Early in 2012 Indian Su 30 MKI Fighter jets fly close to Chinese border in Arunachal pradesh in a special mission, Within a second Chinese radar picked up Indian Air force activity's close to the border, So they too dispatched a pair of Su 27 to confront Indian jets. However Indian fighter jets fly 30 km off from International Border and never tried to breach the Chinese air space. Later both of them turn back and continue their mission without violating others air space.  

    The Russians on other side flying very close to Baltic Nations Air space, Even nuclear armed Russian bombers flown very close to European countries, However they never entered their Air space. The EU and other Baltic Nations scrambles their fighters to intercept the Russian Jets and Bombers before they violating Sovereign air space. More than hundreds of such scrambles happens in last few months. However there were no shoot down or dangerous maneuvers reported.

   Back in 2012, A Turkish RF 4 E Phantom Reconnaissance plane fly very close to Syrian Air space. Without any warnings the Syrian SAM Batteries fired and shoot down the F 4 killing the two pilots. The Turkish plane violated the Syrian air space by entering their territorial waters. However no warnings or anything issued.

Parrikar Visit to Russia to sweeten the FGFA deal

Parrikar Visit to Russia to sweeten the FGFA deal

   Indian Defense minister Manhoar Parrikar all set to visit Russia this November to advance the FGFA and MTA negotiations. Defense Ministry keen to fast track both FGFA and MTA program, and planning to sort out major problems before the Prime ministers visit to Russia. As many issues and backlogs listed in both FGFA and MTA deal. It's believed under the new defense procurement policy defense ministry may speed up the delayed fighter procurement.

     In 2015, The Indian Air force didn't received any new fighter jets except some Hawk and Pilatus trainers. The other side Indian Navy receives pretty good fighters and ASW planes from Russia and USA. The Air force's delayed projects like Rafale acquisition program and FGFA program hits road blocks due to many reasons. The defense ministry finding new ways to eliminate the delay by drafting a new Defense procurement Policy very soon.

   Indian Air force's flagship project is the FGFA, a modified variant of Russian PAK FA. Even the AMCA program also a long legged project, however IAF not concerned about AMCA, while they already knew the capability of ADA and HAL. The PAK FA program in Russia also has some problems like delays in testing and survivability of the air craft. The IAF also unhappy about the progress of PAK FA, since rival Chinese almost closes to induct the fifth gen stealth fighter jet J 20 by 2016.

    The major issue in the PAK FA program is the engine problem. The Russians yet to develop the Engines for the PAK FA, since fifth gen fighter should need an improved engine ehich can capable to perform super cruise in supersonic speed, also increased thrust and fuel efficiency. The PAK FA currently uses the modified variant of AL 31 F. The engine who powers the Su 35 Fighter jets.

   Earlier the PAK FA engine developer agreed that the new engine could be ready by 2017. The PAK FA would fly with the new engines by 2017. after completing the trails, serial production of the new engines started by 2020. As per Russian aerospace force the first batch of PAK FA comes with the modified AL 31 F. While the Block 2 version comes with new engines. So far there is no clear progress in the Engine development due to Ukrainian crisis who shorts the Supply lines.

117 S engine who powers the Su 35 and PAK FA

As per new plan The Indian Air force wants some sixty plus PAK FA fighter jets as a direct purchase from Russia. While the Air force didn't mentions about the engine characteristics of the direct purchase. The interim purchase will allow the Air force to stand against the Chinese fifth generation fighter's threat. However there is no theory that a fifth generation fighter would be encountered by a fifth gen only. The one who has superior RCS, Radar and missile can win the battle.

    The IAF's new plan is to buy nearly seven to eight squadron of FGFA. The FGFA comes with 40 major structural changes and it will be produced in HAL with the support of Russian engineers. For that India should give some $6 billions for research and development to Russia for transferring the cutting edge technologies like the Radar, engine and RAM coatings.

    Once India signs the $6 billion R&D contract. Russia would deliver three PAK FA for testing and study purposes to further develop the FGFA. The Russian engineers will teach the Indian counterparts to develop the most advanced fifth gen fighter in India. However the user IAF or IN should pay the production cost of the Fighter jets. each FGFA cost estimated some $120 million. Which makes  the total acquisition cost more $20 billion for eight squad of FGFA. Overall FGFA project value costs more than $25 billions.This has to be spend in next ten years.

    Until then India won't claim the PAK FA project would be the JV project of India and Russia. India may walk away from the deal any day, If IAF pilots didn't satisfied the performance of PAK FA. India insists the Russians let the IAF pilots to evaluate the PAK FA before buying the PAK FAand signing the FGFA contract.

    To clear those road blocks Indian Defense minister will visit Russia and discuss with the Russian counterparts. The visit pave the way to signing a agreement regarding the evaluation and R&D contract with Russia during the PM's visit by Russia December this year.

Missiles, Bombs and Tanks, Russia punishing Syrian Rebel groups

Missiles, Bombs and Tanks, Russia punishing Syrian Rebel groups

    After the tactical air deployment, Russia now moves to intensify the attack on Syrian rebels and ISIS terrorists. as last week Russia started firing the Long range cruise missile from Caspian sea, which is close to Russian mainland. the long range cruise missiles hits the rebel positions very closely making severe damages to the rebels defensive positions. and the strike allows the Syrian regime forces advance towards the Rebels positions in northern Aleppo, a Syrian rebels stronghold.

    The Russians provided tactical air support, missile strikes and close air support to the Syrian Regime to recapture the ground, the Russians never sends it's ground troops or special forces to support the Syrian army. however they covers the regime forces from the air, by using Mi 24 P attack helicopters armed with cannons and unguided Rockets. more than four Mi 24 P fly very low and provided close air support to the Syrian Regime forces.

    The Offensive is not a success till now, even with the Russian Air support. Syrian Rebels ambushing the Regime Tank columns in every positions. the Rebels has Saudi supplied US made second generation TOW anti armor missiles, and Russian made Konkrus missiles. they used those missiles and ambushed the Syrian armors. as first day of offensive, Syrian ground troops lost more than twenty armored vehicles. which include BMP and T 72 Main battle tanks. the Rebels too suffered causalities, only because of the Russian gunships. the Saudi and West denied to supply MANPAD's to the Syrian Rebels, if they have MANPAD's they surely destroy all flying close air support helicopters.

    The Offensive continued the next day too, the Russians dropped cluster munitions and laser guided munitions. the coordinated attack forced the Rebels to withdraw from the northern Aleppo stronghold. however both Syrian army and Syrian rebels suffered very much, and the ISIS used the chance, they suddenly comes from the northern side and capture the battle zone, and now ISIS gains the northern Aleppo grounds. and Russian, Syrian, Iranian forces striking the same Aleppo as third day.

     The Aleppo offensive comes with a coordinated strike, Russian Air support, Iranian Tactical support and Syrian ground support, yet they loose the captured ground to ISIS. during the offensive the Rebels scored high value hit. they killed the Iranian Revolutionary guard commander Brig Gen Hossein. he is the one who commanded all the Iranian activities inside Syria, more than 2000 Iranian light infantry Soldier operating under his command, killing the general is a big victory to the Rebel side. however it's still unknown who killed the Iranian General whether the ISIS or the Syrian rebels.

    The Russians using what Americans doing inside Iraq, the known good offensive is the coordinated attack over ISIS grounds in Tikrit, the Tikrit battle is one of the Biggest battle in the 2015, led by the US Air force, US Military advisers, Iranian Ground troops headed by Gen Qasem, and the Iraqi soldiers, the offensive spearheaded by the US. the US and British air strikes who supported the Ground troops push towards the ISIS stronghold, makes a wonderful victory, 

    however the same is not working with the Russian air support, even the FSA don't have any anti sir capabilities, also it's clear the US spearheaded operation held by two phases and lasted more than a month, so we have to wait for a month to conclude how much the Russian air strike proving.

   Russia not only attacking the Syrian Rebel positions in Aleppo, their Fighter aircraft dropping Satellite guided bombs over ISIS positions too, Raqqa is the ISIS's stronghold in Syria, which is way longer from the Syrian capital, and no sight of coordinated strikes over ISIS positions in  Raqqa, Syria and Russia planned for retake the western side first before entering towards ISIS positions, the Russian air strikes will continue in coming days as Russian Military leaders said, and it could be major war against ISIS, and Syrian Rebels.

Before Signing the R&D lets the IAF Pilots fly in the T 50

Before Signing the R&D lets the IAF Pilots fly in the T 50

   Once again a wise decision made by the IAF, that they asked the Russians to allow the Indian Air force pilots to evaluate the T 50 before buying some off shelf units directly from Sukhoi and producing advanced variant of T 50 aka FGFA in India, Since the formal signing of joint production of FGFA in 2007, there is no real changes happens so far, India already spend some $300 millions for FGFA preliminary design works, however there is no clear works will not happen until both sign the billion dollar R&D agreement.

   The Russians is almost cash trapped, they trying to use the Indians for it's need, once the new Government sworn in Delhi, IAF insists the govt to sign the FGFA R&D contract, and asks to sign the Rafale deal, although due to cost factors, government almost cancelled the Rafale deal, and further moving into the FGFA with Russia, at first i.e 2007, IAF asks some 250 fifth generation fighters that's 50:50 numbers of both Single seat Russian T 50 and improved FGFA produced by HAL India, the proposed FGFA fighter customized with some 60 minor and 15 other Major modifications, which include many Indian sub systems, 

   When the days passed, and the costs escalates, IAF cut off the procurement numbers by some four squadron of T 50 fighters and another set of 127 FGFA , the same once again downgraded into 67 T 50 airframes, when the IAF mulls the need of FGFA, Russian says it's hard to work on the 83 proposed changes requested by the Indian Air force, and thus takes nearly eight to ten years to roll out the FGFA, once the R&D contract signed, thus makes the IAF to rethink the strategy,and IAF knows the lesson that more you wait, more you betrayed, after days of discussions IAF gradually cut some 50% design changes in the FGFA, thus allows faster work and reduced cost. 

   With the new draft, The IAF proposes some 43 changes in the FGFA, and asks the Sukhoi and HAL team to roll out the first series of FGFA within three years once the R&D contract is finalized, Russia accepts the IAF proposal and asks the Indian side to move on with the contract, that's the R&D contract , the proposed Research and Development cost is some $6 billions, 

   What the IAF and HAL gets from the $6 billion R&D is complete evaluation of the T 50, It's process and systems, simply know how to develop a T 50 in your home, along with three fly away T 50 fighter Jets, Missiles and other weapons.  the HAL and IAF gets complete information of Radar's, engines, and it's avionics suits etc etc, and The Russian Sukhoi engineers will come into HAL Facilities and help the HAL Engineers to modify the existing T 50 into more customized FGFA.

   If IAF orders some FGFA units they have to pay the production costs, spare parts costs and others to HAL, and It's clear HAL surely import those items or at-least the raw materials from Russia only, means more money will directly go to Russia only, however the FGFA is Made in India, and built by the HAL Engineers. 

   Also because of the delay in FGFA program, IAF has a plan to induct some Russian made T 50 into the Air force, and so far they have no idea about the T 50's performance, earlier some of the HAL officials gets a brief by the Irkut Officials about the process of T 50, IAF has a new strategy that they need to evaluate any future fighter aircraft before buying, so before buying some T 50 units and going into the FGFA program IAF wants to evaluate the T 50 with it's own Fighter pilots, thus gives an clear idea about what IAF thinks and what exactly the T 50 is capable, if they were satisfied then only they will further move on the project, otherwise no FGFA or T 50, 

   The Russians continuously pushing the Indians to sign the FGFA R&D contract, however from earlier lesson IAF takes careful steps before getting involved, The Indian Prime minister due a visit to Moscow end of this year, and officially discuss about the FGFA program with Russian officials with the proposal of IAF's wish to fly in the T 50 fighter Air craft. 

   So far there is no issues reported in the T 50 program except a minor engine fire in one flying prototype, and It's believed T 50 is the best alternative compared to the most advanced American        F 22 Raptor, along with some newer modern Systems, makes the T 50 is one of the most advanced fighter jets compared to the F 22 Raptor.

The backbone of IAF transport fleet : Mi-17

 The Medium Multi role Mi-17 Helicopter

    Regarded one of the best transport helicopters, the Mi 17 is surely the most versatile and strategic asset. Designed in 1977 as a troop transport helicopter for the Soviet forces, the Mi17 soon evolved to a versatile heptor capable of handling multi-role missions and being extremely nimble on the battlefield. More than 12000 air-frame today serve across the world and have seen extensive action. The Mi-17 is undoubtedly the backbone for all copter oriented transport missions of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Mi-17 was first procured by the IAF in the late 70’s, when India was offered the Mi-8 transport helicopter.   

      The Mi-17 was develop around the Mi-8 medium transport copter and received major boost to its lift capabilities. The Mi-17’s were provided with more powerful engines and reinforced air-frame which could support heavier payload and operate at higher altitudes. The copter was also designed to carry external wet pylons which could carry missiles. The main rotors were re-designed and larger rotors were introduced to support heavier payloads, the tail rotor was also re-designed and re-positioned towards the port side.

    Powered by twin Kilmov engines the helicopter can carry up to thirty war ready soldiers or four tonne of cargo. The twin Kilmov engines churn out 1600 kW and can power the copter to a maximum speed of 250 km/hour. The Mi-17 can traverse more than 500 kilometer at standard set up mode and enjoys a laudable 200 kilometer combat radius when operating at maximum operational load.

      The Mi-17 V5 not only serve as transport helicopters but can also be used as an attack copter, thanks to the offensive punch it packs with the guided rockets and guns. The attack capability will be a major morale booster for the soldiers deployed on the battlefield. Mi 17 is fitted with 30mm gun pod and 60mm unguided rockets which can spell havoc over enemy targets. The Mi 17 fleet under IAF, employees a meticulously combined system compromising of the cannon and rockets. Mi-17 is also provided with conformal fuel tank which is a boost in increasing the operational range of the copters.

      Owing to their huge size, the Mi-17’s are sitting ducks waiting to be fired upon by enemy SAM batteries and shoulder fired missiles. But this has been meticulously worked out by equipping the copter with advanced countermeasure suites which can evade and out manoeuvre missiles. Information regarding the exact counter measure remains to be extremely skeptical, Russian Mi 17 has been spotted gearing the Ukrainian made ADROS counter measure systems which are part of the Indian Mi-35 attack helicopter fleet. The Indian version of the Mi 17 is rumored to be fitted with the Israeli made C-MUSIC directional counter measure systems, this DIRCM is capable of engaging infrared guided missiles.

       India currently operates more than 150 Mi 8 and nearly 70 Mi-17 V5 copters. The Mi-8 airframes are rapidly aging and a replacement is the need of the hour for the transport wing of IAF.  IAF has now come with an ambitious plan of replacing the Mi-8’s with advanced Mi-17’s which can be rapidly inducted into the air force. By 2008 India had concluded a contract with Russia to supply 80 Mi 17 helicopters under a deal estimated at $1.4 billion. The first set of five Mi 17 V5 helicopters was delivered to India in early 2012, impressed with the performance of these beasts India opted for a follow on order for 71 more Mi-17 helicopters at a whooping $1.3 billion deal. IAF is contemplating of procuring 48 more helicopters at an estimated $1 billion dollar deal.

     The Mi-17’s are highly regarded in the IAF for their capabilities and ruggedness. The Mi-17 was used initially in the ‘Kargil operation’ to ferry troops to front-line but was later pulled off taking into account the higher position of the enemies. The Mi-17 has been efficiently used in humanitarian missions supported by the IAF. These Mi-17s have served as the backbone for all rescue missions operated by the IAF.  Mi-17 was also part of the ‘Cross-border special operation’ carried out by the 21st Para contingent.  The Mi-17 V5 copters are also used to ferry the Indian President and the Prime Minister proving the level of confidence put into the aircraft by India. Thus the addition of Mi-17 to the force is a major boost to the operational capability of IAF.

Editor Karthik Kakoor 

IAF haunted by repeated crashes! What exactly is happening ?

 IAF jets are falling from the skies, what exactly is happening ?

        IAF top brass is worried, not for the depleting squadron numbers but it’s the repeated crashes that have for long haunted the air force. An answer to this is to be found in the near future if IAF has to keep up the morale. This year alone IAF has already lost six aircraft, even the most advanced jet of the fleet Su-30 MKI has crashed raising alarms.

       IAF has lost two Jaguar deep strike aircraft, and the advanced hawk trainers. Every year IAF loses around ten aircraft as a result of crashes for most of the crashes mechanical issues emerge as the main problem.  With a depleting force these crashes may prove costly and with every crash reduces the morale and confidence of the guardians manning their machines 24/7 come what may.

This year the crash pattern is very disturbing -

January - Mig 21

March - Jaguar

May - MiG 27

May - Su 30 MKI

June - Hawk AJT

June - Jaguar

      The very main reason for crash has been mechanical issues but there have been isolated cases when human error’s have also led to crashes.

First up the MiG 21

        India currently operates nearly 200 of the upgraded Bison and Bis variants, all these jets are scheduled to be phased out within the next two to three years. MiG 21 will be replaced by the home grown LCA Tejas. Mig 21’s have proven their might overtime and have completed some of the most difficult missions possible by a fighter jet. But the MiG 21 is a aging platform that has crosses its shelf life. The replacement program for MiG 21 was conceived but is materializing only now. A stop gap measure was totally out of question owing to the cost and the setback LCA would receive it was ever to happen.

 Many other nations currently operate MiG 21 in their fleet, notably Syria which is using it against ISIS. Syria has lost only three fighter jets over these years. The reason for crash was the missiles and rockets targeted at them by ISIS extremists. Is the maintenance of aircraft to be blamed for this? The facts themselves speak out, India lost over four MiG-21 at the same time Syria lost three but all three were lost in hostile environments. But out MiG-21 were on routine sorties and not on active combat duty.

Not much changes with the advanced version of Mikoyan series IAF operates. The back bone and the most advanced jets of our air force the ‘Flankers’ have their own story to narrate. Right from the induction phase flankers have had problems with their engines and fly-by wire technology. IAF has repeatedly raised this issue with HAL the primary maintainer for Indian jets. 

      HAL has in turn requested Russian firms to resolve the issue. The solution worked out by Russians is yet to be inducted in to our jets leaving them vulnerable. IAF flies more than 200 Su-30 which are to guarantee ‘air-superiority’ for the nation, six Su-30 have crashed so far since their induction into the force. Russian’s till date have lost only a single flanker till date which was attributed to a pilot error.  Again a question rises as to what is the issue?

What can be the reason for these crashes?

     The very first step in IAF has a huge and unaddressable problem, lack of training to the future guardians. IAF is the fourth largest air force in the world, yet lacks a reliable trainer jet. Basic, intermediate and advanced platforms are missing in the air force, the Hawk is being inducted in large numbers. Pilatus is also being induced but when the pilots are to operate the most advanced jets will this really help? Most of our jets are based on Russian technology but the training is held mainly in western jets, will this not compromise the knowledge and skill of our pilots? 

       Issue with maintenance is another reason IAF to worry of. The availability rate of Su 30 MKI is currently 50%, meaning of the 200 odd Su 30 MKI less than 100 jets are in flying condition. The aircraft are checked and re-checked before taking to the skies, soon after landing the pilots are required to note down even the minute changes in the system. And it is up to the maintenance team from then to get the aircraft to its best possible state. IAF has raised its concern with the number of ground staff available for maintaining these jets.

     The spare parts issue has also haunted IAF for years, with jets being imported from other countries IAF again has to depend upon these nations for maintaining the jets.  The contracts for the spare parts are contracted and sub contracted which turns out to be a big issue in the whole story. The procurement of these crucial parts is a long and cumbersome process and has to be cleared by various offices before being finally cleared for procurement. 

     These long pending delays usually cripple the operations of the jet. All IAF jets have to undergo scheduled maintenance at regular intervals to make sure the jets are in the best possible conditions. HAL usually contracts these key functions to private companies who in turn sub contract the work thus crippling the work cycle a certain authority is not maintained. The contracts rely upon HAL for procuring spares and HAL again has to look up to the base countries of the jet to dispatch the spares thus delaying the whole work.

     The other problem can be the flying hours attained by the jet, the service availability issue was a very critical problem in the last regime.  50% availability is extremely low considering the age of the jets. A single hour of flight can cost well over a million.  Are our jets really clocking the mandated flying hours?

      The new government is now drawing up plans to boost our aerospace industries. HAL is up for a major revamp at the same time the IAF has to receive a free hand in the maintenance issues. Just inducting newer aircraft to the fleet will not serve the purpose, IAF and the Indian government has to stress on maintaining these muscular beasts in the best of the possible forms.

Editor - Karthik Kakoor

Cold war reloaded. Its Raptors against Flankers over European skies.

United States Air Force to deploy F-22 Raptors in Europe to deter Russian Flankers

       The military build up in Eastern Europe has gone a notch up, USA has now decided to field heavy war machinery across European countries. Specific sources have confirmed that USA is contemplating about deploying at least a single squadron of its most advanced F 22 Raptor in bases in the European bases. USA has termed Russia as the biggest threat in the region. Soon after Baltic nations became part of NATO, America deployed two Threat Security Packages (TSP) consisting of twelve F-15 from the Florida National Guard and twelve A-10 thunderbolt from the 355^th fighter wing.

     Raptor are the most priced possession of the USAF which has not even been exported to its trusted allies. The Raptors have been till time deployed in mainland America and operated in the Asia-Pacific region but only as rotational deployment. USA has just concluded its naval drills with Ukraine, Russia had warned of a befitting reply to the drills. In a surprise and an extremely risky maneuver a Russian Su-24 jet buzzed USS Donlad Cook in Black Sea. US had termed this move as extremely provocative and have warned Russia against any such maneuvers in the future. 

      Ever since the Ukrainian invasion, relations between Russia and USA have been severed and experts believe the countries are at the brink of starting a modern cold war scenario. Air space violation, repeated weapons validation tests and bi-lateral exercises have doubled ever since. USA and the rest of the western bloc have hit the Russian economy hard by imposing economic sanctions. Putin has been putting up a brave face all along but with Russia being cornered the development rather the existence of a self-prevailing Russia is being questioned. Crimea has been a key talking point all along, the incident of MH-17 send ripples across the globe. Russia and involved nations are nuclear states and have the highest stockpile of the WMD’s.


 Lost is the era under USSR when Russia was an unchecked power, but the collapse of USSR changed the course for Russia. Russia lost the regional control and also lost the prosperous states which were under its control. Russia under Putin is headed towards restoring the dominance in the region. Putin has adopted the best possible aggressive move to put Russia where it once belonged.

It all started with Russia annexing Crimea, which the international community had reportedly recognized as Ukrainian territory.  Facing the wrath of Russia, Ukraine was forced to join NATO and OSCE to counter the Russians.  With Ukraine a success, Putin focused towards the other former USSR nations specially Latvia and Lithuania.

     Russian forces have been violating the international airspace at alarming levels. There have been instances when Russians had deployed two Tu 92 bombers on a long range patrol over the International border. The Tuplov aircraft were accompanied by two IL 78 aerial refuel tankers which were escorted by two heavily armed Su 27. The patrol stretched as far as Portugal and was then resisted by Typhoons which escorted out the formation.  

      With violations increasing at an alarming rate the smaller countries have expressed their disability to check the repeated violations. Germany, Britain and France are being outstretched, the answer came with USA deploying its F-15’s in bases across Europe but these squadrons are up for rotation. After the Crimean annexation the patrol missions have reached to an astonishing sixteen missions from a mere two missions.

    US Air force secretary Daborah James has confirmed the news and has stated that ‘ Russia was the biggest threat on her mind’. The secretary went on to say “It's extremely worrisome on what's going on in the Ukraine. We've seen the type of warfare, which someone dubbed it hybrid warfare, which is somewhat new. So I would put that at the top of my list.”   The F-22 will not be deployed on a permanent basis rather on a rotational deployment. The F-22 will be replacing the home bound F-15’s, six Raptors were deployed in bases along the Asia-Pacific region. The fighter was homed in Dubai and Japan, the F-22 had proved their might by escorting a US navy MQ4 drone which was being tailed by a Iranian F-14.

      With the AESA radars the F22 can jam low powered passive radars, like NIIP Radar which is fitted onto most of the Russian flankers. The situation though critical along the international airspace will surely not witness any aircraft firing missiles. Hence the need will be for a versatile jet that can meddle with the enemy platforms and at the same time defend and attack if the need arises. The deployment of F-22 is also a win-win situation to the USAF, the operations of F-22 has been largely constrained to mainland US. With the deployment to troubled skies the fighter will also get a shot at proving it’s might against the most capable enemy of US. The aircraft has some of the latest technology on-board and clubbed with stealth the aircraft is a flying ghost house in the skies. It has to be seen what will be answer of Russian forces for the deployment of the F-22’s.   

Article - Karthik Kakoor

The Enigma of the Russian and Indian Air Force

  The Enigma of the Russian and Indian Air Force

The Fifth Generation Fighter T-50 

     Aircraft designed to avoid radar detection by reducing radar signature, infrared signature, radio-frequency signals are known as stealth aircraft. Stealth technology is a combination of technologies that greatly reduces the chances of detecting an object using conventional systems. Development of stealth technology is believed to have started in Germany during World War II. Even though these aircraft are imparted with the stealth technology no aircraft is completely invisible to radars, rather these aircraft's are tough to be detected on conventional radar.

The Nazi Germany Horten Ho 229

  The Germans designed the Horten Ho 229 aircraft with an intention to avoid radar detection. The Horten was constructed using mixed technologies; the center pod was made from welded steel tubing and wing spars built from wood. The wings of the aircraft were made from two thin, plywood panels which were soaked in a carbon matter which were glued together with a charcoal and sawdust mixture. This design greatly reduced the radar signature of the aircraft. The aircraft design was later tested in US where the results showed the aircraft to be invisible to the Britain's Chain Home early warning radar. By 1970, Lockheed Aircraft started designing stealth technology which was part of the next-gen bombers which were being designed for the US forces. 

The Lockheed Martin F 117 Night Hawk

     Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is considered the first purpose designed stealth bomber. The stealth aircraft saw the combat in December 1989 during Operation Just Cause in Panama. 

     With the western countries inching forward with stealth capable aircraft design the Russian forces were left vulnerable to undetected attacks. To counter this threat the Russian’s constituted the ‘Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation’ or the PAK-FA program under which a fifth-generation fighter would be designed to the Russian Air Force. The aircraft would be designed by Sukhoi for the PAK FA programme. The project was code named T-50. T-50 was deigned to be multi-role aircraft which could perform both air superiority and ground attack sorties. 

      The stealth technology is an extremely demanding field and it required technologies which Russia alone could not conquer. The Russian’s inclined towards India which could partner in the project under a co-development clause. Russia and India enjoyed a longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation in the field of defense. 

      India-Russia military technical cooperation has evolved from a simple buyer - seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defense technologies and systems. A deal in this regard was signed between Sukhoi and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to co-develop a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) for the Indian Air Force. The FGFA will be produced either as a single-seat or two-seat FGFA and will be witnessing developments in as many as 43 ways from the T-50. IAF is believed to induct around 144 of these single manned FGFA by 2020. There have been plans to produce a naval version of the FGFA but nothing in this regard has been confirmed by the Russian sources.

The Saturn-Lyulka 117S, the power of T-50.

      The power plant for the aircraft is the fifth generation Saturn AL-41F turbofan engines The T-50 design employs an interim super cruising and thrust vectoring engine. The first of the T-50’s under production will use the Saturn-Lyulka 117S. 117S are an upgraded product achieved by clubbing AL-31F and improvising the technologies of AL-41F in the system. 117S is believed to produce a thrust of 142 kN with the afterburners engaged and about 87 kN of thrust without the afterburners. The engine is believed to be equipped with circular thrust vectoring nozzles.

The FADEC System

   The engine is believed to have incorporated infrared and RCS reduction measures. The engine has full authority digital engine control. The engine is equipped with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) which is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an Engine Control Unit (ECU) and also controls other critical aspects linked with the control and functioning of the engines. Employing FADEC in an engine can help it to perform at maximum efficiency under any given condition. FADEC works by receiving multiple input variables of flight conditions and this is analyzed by the ECU. 

The analyzed data is checked against the set parameters and any changes indicated are returned to the required default value for achieving the appropriate flight conditions. The use of FADEC can greatly increase the efficiency of the engine and can protect the engines against any intolerant manual operations. The workload during flight on the pilot is reduced significantly with most of the critical tasks being completed by the FADEC.

   The Circular- and box-nozzle thrust-vectoring configurations have been tested during various test flight. The later T-50 will be out fitted with a more advanced engine which has been code named Izdeliye 30. The Izdeliye 30 will be offering a thrust of about 40000lb. The aircraft can achieve a max speed of about Mach 2 with this power plant. The aircraft can cruise at speeds up to Mach 1.8. The aircraft has a climb rate of about 1200 feet per minute. The aircraft is claimed to have an operational range of about 4590 km. The engines are believed to have a service ceiling of about 65000 feet.

       The T-50 is equipped with a powerful avionics suite which can be considered as an evolution of the avionics suite which was formally available on the Flanker series. The avionics package on the T-50 will be an upgraded package of the existing Su-35S avionic design. The primary avionics systems on board the T-50 are the Sh121 multi-functional integrated radio electronic system (MIRES) and the 101KS Atoll electro-optical system. The Sh121 is equipped with the N036 Byelka radar system which is an advanced active electronically scanned radar system which was developed by Tikhomirov for the T-50 project.

Byelka X,L Band AESA Radar

  The transceiver functions are formed from numerous small solid-state transmit/receive modules. AESA radars function by aiming their beam by emitting separate radio waves from each of the module that finally interfere at an ascertained angle in front of the receiving antenna. The N036 radar system consists of a main nose-mounted X-band AESA radar. The avionics suite also has two N036L-1-01 L-band arrays on the wing's that can be used for friend-or-foe identification. The L-band arrays can also be effectively used for electronic warfare purposes. The N036UVS computer and processor enable the system information to be significantly enhanced. The electronic countermeasures of the aircraft are taken care of by the L402 "Himalayas" systems. 

      The enhanced computer systems enable the processed data to be transmitted across other platforms which greatly reduces the work pressure on the pilot. The UOMZ 101KS Atoll electro-optical system includes the 101KS-V infrared and track system. IRST system is a method which uses the infrared radiations emitted by objects to detect and track them. IRST gives all-round situation awareness. This system can effectively used for laser aided counter measures against heat seeking missiles. 

The system involves thermo-graphic cameras. These systems are passive which means they do not emit radiations like radars this can help in stealth feature on board an aircraft. The system is integrated on the star board side of the aircraft. This system has been used on Su-27, MiG 29, F-35 lightning, F 18 hornet, Saab, the JF-17 Thunder Block-II, Typhoon and the Rafael. The package also includes the 101KS-U ultraviolet warning sensors and 101KS-N navigation and targeting pods.

     T-50 is to be designed with an glass cockpit which is equipped with an 15 inch multi-functional LCD display. The cockpit is also included with Heads up Display (HUD) unit which is a transparent display that presents data on a display unit without requiring the user to look away from his actual viewpoint. The HUD system consists of a projector unit, a combiner, and a video generation computer. The projection unit consists of a Lens and a display unit at the focal area. The combiner is typically an angled flat piece of glass which is usually located in front of the user. 

Combiners receive an special coating which helps in monochromatic light to be projected on to a projecting unit. The HUDs operate with the help of dual independent redundant computer systems. HUD receives information from various sensors install on the aircraft. HUD’s can be used to display various parameters ranging from target designation, closing velocity with target, Range, weapon seeker and weapon status. 

The ZSh-10 helmet which is considered as the standard in the platform is equipped with helmet-mounted sight and display unit. The display is formed on aircrew’s visor which can help the crew maintain a situational awareness in critical times without having to take his concentration off the flight. Even the canopy of the aircraft receives a coating for increased stealth element.

PAK FA sensor Suites

 The T-50 is provided with the NPP Zvezda K-36D-5 ejection seats have been formerly used on the Mikoyan series. The ejection seat ensures safe ejection of the pilot within Mach 2.5 and can be operated up to 66000 feet. The aircraft life support will enable pilots to perform up to 9-g maneuvers for up to 30 seconds at a go. 

     The T-50 will be the first aircraft under the Russian Air force to use stealth technology. The airframe of the aircraft is designed with a planform alignment which helps to greatly reduce the radar cross-section. The protruding edges of the aircraft are designed and trimmed out pre designated angles to reduce the reflection of radar waves. The antenna is recessed back into the aircrafts main airframe to maintain the stealth capabilities of the aircraft. 

    The aircraft is provided with S shaped intake duct the intake is in the upper rear center of the aircraft which is usually present above or below the stabilizer. This S-shaped intake contains most of the compressor outlet of the engine. The T-50 uses Radar Absorbent Material to absorb most of the radar emissions effectively reducing the amount of reflected waves back to the source.

   The first known RAM is Sumpf and Schornsteinfeger which was used by Germans to coat the snorkels and periscopes of the submarines. The commonly used RAM to date is the iron ball paint which contains tiny spheres coated with carbonyl iron or ferrite. The F-117A used electrically isolated carbonyl iron balls of specific dimensions suspended in a two-part epoxy paint. Foam absorber, Jaumann absorber, Split-ring resonator absorber and Carbon nanotube are the other known stealth coatings known and in use till date. The weapons bay of the aircraft is concealed in the airframe. 

T-50 is designed with an two tandem main internal weapon bays each one approximately about 15 feet in length and about 3 feet wide. The weapons bay of the T-50 is concealed within the main airframe of the aircraft to maintain the stealth capability of the aircraft. Vympel has been put in charge of designing the armament for the aircraft. It is believed to be developing two ejection launchers for the main bays, for the ejection of the missiles from the airframe it is believed o have developed the UVKU-50L system. This system can support missiles of up to 300kg in weight. For deploying the ordinance in mission Vympel is believed to have developed the UVKU-50U which can support ordinance weighing up to 700 kg.

PAK FA with External Weapons

 When T-50 is to make non stealth missions it can use its six hard points on the airframe itself. T-50 is equipped with an internally mounted 9A1-4071K 30 mm cannon. T-50 is expected to carry up to four beyond visual range missiles and two short range missiles to effectively take care of air-air threats. T-50 is known to be equipped with K-77M with active radar-homing technology short range missiles. K-74M2 will be the short range missile homed in T-50. For neutralizing long range threats T-50 is being armed with Izdeliye 810 beyond-visual-range missiles. 

      The main weapons bay of T-50 can home air-to-ground missiles such as the Kh-38M, KA-250, KAB-500 precision guided bombs. T-50 is slated to carry Kh-35UE and the Kh-58UShK anti radiation missiles. The much feared BrahMos supersonic is believed to be installed on T-50 benefiting both Russia and India.

 

    T-50 prototype took wings on 29 January 2010. Till date five prototypes have taken flight and have successfully completed several flights demonstrating the T-50’s capabilities. To date T-50 is believed to be engaged in external weapons trials. 

    FGFA’s are to enter serial production by 2016. T-50 is to be inducted to the Russian forces by 2017 and to be handed over to India by 2018. India is expected to get the FGFA by 2020. The cost of a single unit is believed to be around US $50 million which is extremely cost effective compared to the American fielded F-22 Raptors. 

   The aircraft is expected to have a service life of up to 35 years. Once inducted the FGFA’s will be a potent weapon in the arsenals of Russian and Indian forces. FGFA will surely act as an force multiplier and with stealth capabilities these aircraft can be effectively used in deep penetration bombing runs which will surely help Indian forces in enjoying an upper hand over the Chinese and the Pakistani’s. 

Credits to various sources used in this article. All the credits and rights of the photos used in this article are bestowed with the original photographers. It is only because of their dedication and efforts have I been able to bring forward this article. 

Article By Karthik Kakoor