Airborne Early Warning Systems - A-50EI Phalcon, DRDO Netra AEW&C, DRDO AWACS

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For the first time, an IL-78 refueller aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Thursday carried out air-to-air refuelling of the Embraer transport aircraft that has the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system Netra mounted on it.
“A mere 10-minute in-flight refuelling can generate four more hours of flight. The achievement has given a tremendous boost to the IAF’s operational capability,” the IAF said in a statement.
The AEW&C — also called eye-in-the-sky — is capable of long-range surveillance and a force multiplier. Air-to-air refuelling allows the aircraft to stay airborne much beyond their limits, allowing better exploitation of capabilities.
“The ‘Probe and Drogue’ air-to-air refuelling method, practised by IAF pilots, requires exceptional flying skills as the receiving aircraft has to accurately insert the receptacle probe into the basket-shaped drogue trailing the tanker aircraft, the statement said.
During air-to-air refuelling, both aircraft must maintain accurate flying parameters. The IAF is one of the few air forces in the world to operate mid-air refuellers. It now operates six Russian IL-78 refuellers and has been trying to buy six more.
The IAF inducted the Netra, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in February this year. Three systems are being built and will be based at Bhatinda, facing the western border. Netra gives a 240-degree coverage of airspace.


Mid-air refuelling feat by IAF
 
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Procurement delays leave IAF with only 3 AWACS as PAF races ahead
Securing the nation's airspace could soon become a more challenging task for the Indian Air Force, as it faces delays in inducting additional airborne warning and control aircraft, even as Pakistan is slated to see its own fleet of such aircraft increase by year-end.
The deal for two more Phalcon AWACS, which are to be procured under a three-nation deal involving India, Israel, and Russia, is stuck because of a sharp escalation in the price of the Russian aircraft that will house the Israeli sensors, The Times of India reported on Tuesday. Citing sources, the national daily said that while the government was ready to pay close to $800 million for the two AWACS, the price being demanded by the original equipment manufacturers was $1.3 billion.
According to one of the sources quoted by the report, Russia "has majorly jacked up the prices" for the IL-76 aircraft, "which is unacceptable to the government".
Currently, the Air Force operates just three Phalcon AWACS — Israeli Aerospace Industries' third-generation airborne early warning and control systems, called ELW-2090, installed on a Russian IL-76 heavy military transport aircraft.
The deal is hanging fire even as the end of 2017 approaches. In March of 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had cleared the proposal to acquire two more Phalcon AWACS at a cost of Rs 7,500 crore.
The shortage of AWACS comes at a time when Pakistan is expanding its own fleet of these vital platforms.
In May this year, citing the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF's) chief, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, the Air Forces Monthly magazine reported that the country would receive three new Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft from Sweden. According to the report, the first aircraft would be delivered in December 2017 and the remaining two would arrive next year. The PAF's AEW&C fleet is currently made up of three Erieye and four Chinese Karakoram Eagle ZDK-03 aircraft. Citing an unnamed source, the ToI report said that China had over 20 such AWACS.
An indigenous solution, the two such platforms under the AWACS-India project, would only be ready by 2024-2025 at the earliest, the ToI report said. Under the project, an indigenous active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with 360-degree coverage will be mounted on Airbus A-330 wide-body jets. In 2015, two AWACS were approved under the project for a development cost of Rs 5,113 crore ($820 million). However, the contract for these two platforms has not been signed yet and will be inked sometime in 2018, according to the ToI report.
As reported in February this year, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman S Christopher had said India would build six more next-generation AWACS on the Airbus platform.
"Once the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clears and the CCS approves the proposal, the six AWACS will be made in seven years after the contract is signed with Airbus Defence & Space," Christopher had said.
Estimated to cost Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion), the AWACS' sensor will have a range of 300 km and a 360 degree angle of coverage, as against the 200-km range and 240 degree angle of coverage of the indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) aircraft the DRDO has built using modified Brazilian Embraer-145 jets as the platforms.
As reported in February this year, the DRDO's AEW&C platform, christened 'Netra', was handed over to the Air Force at Aero India 2017. The AEW&C aircraft's sensor package consists of an AESA radar, a secondary surveillance radar, electronic and communication countermeasures, line of sight (LOS) and beyond-LOS data link, voice communication system, and self-protection suite. A second such AEW&C aircraft is also slated for the Air Force.

Procurement delays leave IAF with only 3 AWACS as PAF races ahead
 
Estimated to cost Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion), the AWACS' sensor will have a range of 300 km and a 360 degree angle of coverage, as against the 200-km range and 240 degree angle of coverage of the indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) aircraft the DRDO has built using modified Brazilian Embraer-145 jets as the platforms.

With K-100 range between 200-400 km, even before the AWACS detects the enemy aircraft and missile launched towards it, how can a AWACS protect itself from such a lethal weapon?
 
Turkish fleet reaches full strength with four aircraft and ground support systems

KONYA, Turkey, Dec. 9, 2015 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the fourth and final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force at Konya Air Base today, completing the Turkish AEW&C fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airspace surveillance and battle management capabilities.
This final aircraft includes upgraded software for the platform and the final element of the ground support segment, the Software Support Center (SSC). Previously delivered Peace Eagles will receive the upgraded software soon.
Boeing worked with Turkish industry partners Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkish Airlines, HAVELSAN and ASELSAN to complete the delivery of the final aircraft as well as establish technology capabilities like the Software Support Center, updated mission simulator software and mission support center software.
“Turkey is currently the only nation in this region with the AEW&C capability. By combining Boeing’s innovative engineering with the expertise provided by local Turkish industry partners, we’ve delivered an advanced world-class airborne surveillance system to our customer,” said Aysem Sargin Isil, managing director, Boeing Turkey.
Turkey, Australia and South Korea operate AEW&C platforms.
Based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft’s advanced radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The battle management capabilities allow mission crew to direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.

As the main subcontractor for Turkish Air Force Peace Eagle program, HAVELSAN has undertaken the responsibility for Mission System Software and Ground Support Systems. HAVELSAN has successfully developed, integrated and tested the software specifically tailored for the Turkish Air Force.

The main responsibilities of HAVELSAN within the coverage of the workshare are:
  • System analysis and design,
  • Design, development, integration and testing of Mission System Software and Ground Support Center Software,
  • Hardware and software integration for Ground Support which is composed of Software and Mission Support Centers and Mission Simulator,
  • System testing and evaluation,
  • Integrated Logistics Support (ELD),
  • Maintenance, sustainment, engineering and operational support for Aircraft Mission System and Ground Support Centers during the 5-Year Interim Support Period.

As a member of Turkish AEW&C Team, HAVELSAN was rewarded with the Award of Excellence by the Joint Leadership Council of Boeing in 2008.

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HAVELSAN Airborne Early Warning Systems – Peace Eagle (PE)
 
Turkish fleet reaches full strength with four aircraft and ground support systems

KONYA, Turkey, Dec. 9, 2015 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the fourth and final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force at Konya Air Base today, completing the Turkish AEW&C fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airspace surveillance and battle management capabilities.
This final aircraft includes upgraded software for the platform and the final element of the ground support segment, the Software Support Center (SSC). Previously delivered Peace Eagles will receive the upgraded software soon.
Boeing worked with Turkish industry partners Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkish Airlines, HAVELSAN and ASELSAN to complete the delivery of the final aircraft as well as establish technology capabilities like the Software Support Center, updated mission simulator software and mission support center software.
“Turkey is currently the only nation in this region with the AEW&C capability. By combining Boeing’s innovative engineering with the expertise provided by local Turkish industry partners, we’ve delivered an advanced world-class airborne surveillance system to our customer,” said Aysem Sargin Isil, managing director, Boeing Turkey.
Turkey, Australia and South Korea operate AEW&C platforms.
Based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft’s advanced radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The battle management capabilities allow mission crew to direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.

As the main subcontractor for Turkish Air Force Peace Eagle program, HAVELSAN has undertaken the responsibility for Mission System Software and Ground Support Systems. HAVELSAN has successfully developed, integrated and tested the software specifically tailored for the Turkish Air Force.

The main responsibilities of HAVELSAN within the coverage of the workshare are:
  • System analysis and design,
  • Design, development, integration and testing of Mission System Software and Ground Support Center Software,
  • Hardware and software integration for Ground Support which is composed of Software and Mission Support Centers and Mission Simulator,
  • System testing and evaluation,
  • Integrated Logistics Support (ELD),
  • Maintenance, sustainment, engineering and operational support for Aircraft Mission System and Ground Support Centers during the 5-Year Interim Support Period.

As a member of Turkish AEW&C Team, HAVELSAN was rewarded with the Award of Excellence by the Joint Leadership Council of Boeing in 2008.

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HAVELSAN Airborne Early Warning Systems – Peace Eagle (PE)
I'm wondering when will Pakistan evince interest in these systems .
 
Coming soon Turkish Sigint and Airborne Jammer

Either G-550 or Bombardier Global 6000 will be choosen as Platform, 1 confirmed order + 3 options

Both airplanes have almost Mach 0.9 speed, 51000 feet ceiling and almost 7000 nm range.
Payload capacity of Guftsream is 6500 lb, Bombardiers 5000 lb.

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Turkish contractors Aselsan and Havelsan have deep experience in Sigint and Jamming


Havelsan KILAVUZ Sigint

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ASELSAN KORAL mobile long range EW and jamming system


1515615429755.png
 
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Coming soon Turkish Sigint and Airborne Jammer

Either G-550 or Bombardier Global 6000 will be choosen as Platform, 1 confirmed orde + 3 options

Both airplanes have almost Mach 0.9 speed, 51000 feet ceiling and almost 7000 nm range.
Payload capacity of Guftream is 6500 lb of Bombardier 5000 lb.

View attachment 1232




View attachment 1233


Turkish contractors Aselsan and Havelsan have deep experience in Sigint and Jamming


Havelsan KILAVUZ Sigint

View attachment 1234

ASELSAN KORAL mobile long range EW and jamming system


View attachment 1235
Bro It would be great if you can make a thread of Turkish defense industry. Turkey has some nice weapons and they deserve a thread of their own.
@T-123456
 
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Will IAF get more eyes in the sky? Defense ministry to decide today

Seeking to boost indigenous defence capabilities, the defence ministry is expected to consider a proposal worth over Rs 20,000 crore on Wednesday to develop six 'eyes in the sky' Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes to monitor activities of rival air forces deep inside their territories.

"A DRDO proposal to develop six AWACS planes on the Airbus A-330 aircraft worth over Rs 20,000 crore is expected to come up for discussion at a high level meeting of the defence ministry under defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman," a government source told MAIL TODAY.

As per the plan, the DRDO would first develop the two aircraft from Airbus and modify them to fix radar over them which would give them the capability to conduct 360 degree snooping with a range of over 400 km in the sky, sources said.
This would be followed up by another four aircraft which would add to the two Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft based on the Embraer aircraft.

The DRDO-developed aircraft would be in the league of the three Phalcon AWACS planes that India had acquired from Israel and Russia in a tripartite deal around 10 years ago for USD 1.1 billion (Rs 7,154 crore).
India had plans of acquiring two more such planes but the project has been put on the backburner as both countries have increased the price of the radar and the Ilsyushin-76 transport aircraft on which the radar is mounted by almost double.
The cost of the two planes has gone above USD 1.5 billion (Rs9,755 crore) whereas the first three planes had been acquired a few years ago for USD 1.1 billion (Rs 7,154 crore).

The next-generation AWACS, with a 360-degree scan being developed by the DRDO, may also be developed as an air-to-air refueller.

The new system being developed by DRDO would have AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars with 360 degree capability, which can detect incoming aerial threats such as hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400 km away.

India will be only the second country in the world after Israel to develop such a system.
The AWACS being developed on the Airbus aircraft is far more advanced than the surveillance platform developed on the Embraer aircraft as it will provide 360 degree angle of coverage against the 240 degree angle of an AEWC plane. The DAC had earlier given approval to the DRDO's plan to develop two AWACS.

Will IAF get more eyes in the sky? Defense ministry to decide today
 
DRDO's AWACS: 12.5 ton AESA radar/radome ready for integration


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DRDO-AIRBUS AWACS

“Because of the additional tanker functionality requirement, there have been some delays, but we’ve made up for it on our side by completing developing of the radome antenna that will be the centrepiece of the AWACS,” Christopher reveals. Built at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru, the 12.5 tonne antenna is near ready for integration on an A330 once modifications on the first aircraft are complete.

With work now in progress to develop India’s AWACS with tanker functionality, it remains unclear whether this could have an impact on the soon to be floated tanker contest between Airbus and Boeing. Airbus, which emerged a winner in two aborted contests for IAF tankers (Boeing didn’t compete in those first two contests) appears to have something of an advantage with the Indian AWACS program choosing to fold in a tanker role into its mission profile. However, as Livefist has noted before, there could be several other factors at play too.

Christopher adds, “In Bengaluru we’ve finished the radome. So, we are very confident of moving quickly. The aircraft manufacturer won’t have to wait for us. They will have questions on performance and structural rigidity, but we are working concurrently, so those issues have been sorted out too. Is it safe to fly? Those answers we don’t have to worry about now because we have moved quickly — we can show and prove ourselves that we are capable of doing that and we’ve done it. We’ve ticked all the boxes so far.”

For the DRDO chief, the program hits close to home. Himself a product of the Centre for Airborne Systems that’s building India’s AWACS — and a sensor scientist by training — this is additionally a prestige project for Christopher and one that he cannot afford to let slip. Christopher retires in May this year, though sources say his tenure as DRDO chief could be extended.

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NETRA AEW&C

India currently operates three Israeli A-50 PHALCON AWACS jets based on the Il-76 platform. The Indian Air Force last year took delivery of its first DRDO-Embraer AEW&C aircraft Netra based on the ERJ-145 jet platform. Livefist can confirm that the second aircraft has completed flight test and is likely to be handed over to the Indian Air Force next month in Bhatinda with defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman overseeing the proceedings.

“The IAF has been using the Netra extensively. They’ve suggested a few improvements, which we’ve incorporated in the second aircraft that will shortly be delivered to them,” Christopher says. The improvements include fine-tuning of the surveillance radar. The IAF’s urgency for more eye-in-the-sky aircraft has compelled it on a quest for two more PHALCON type aircraft from Israel.

The third Embraer platform will remain with DRDO, as earlier reported by Livefist. Interestingly, the DRDO is now looking at the option of selling the aircraft to a foreign customer as a major diplomatic gesture.

“We are weighing the possibility of giving it to a nearby country as a diplomatic gesture. Let us see if it works out,” Christopher says.

The Indian Air Force has an officially projected requirement for 15 AWACS aircraft. The current three Israeli PHALCON AWACS will be augmented with six indigenous A330-based AWACS with two additional jets as options, plus plans for two more PHALCON jets, making a total of 13 aircraft. The two Netra, when upgraded with the IAF’s stated improvements, will provide greater cover, though not the 360-degree cover the IAF wants from all fifteen jets in the class.

PHALCON AWACS

“In a country like ours, the IAF needs 360 coverage. The Netra AEW&C doesn’t have that. But this is also a far lower cost program. So while we build the higher performance AWACS to fulfill the IAF’s requirement, we will continue to support them in their use of the Netra. The aircraft are extremely agile and have demonstrated remarkable performance in the hands of our IAF crews,” Christopher says.
 
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The Indian Air Force has an officially projected requirement for 15 AWACS aircraft. The current three Israeli PHALCON AWACS will be augmented with six indigenous A330-based AWACS with two additional jets as options, plus plans for two more PHALCON jets, making a total of 13 aircraft. The two Netra, when upgraded with the IAF’s stated improvements, will provide greater cover, though not the 360-degree cover the IAF wants from all fifteen jets in the class.
3+2 PHALCON + 6 DRDO A330 AWACS + 2 Option + 2 Netra = 15
1 Netra with DRDO
 
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