Next-Gen A-330 AWACS being developed by DRDO to have mid-air refuelling capability

Manmohan_MMY

Premiera
Nov 30, 2017
325
109
Space Time


The next-generation airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), with a 360-degree scan being developed by the DRDO, would also double up as an air-to-air refueller following a request by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a top DRDO official.

The IAF, which is bearing around 80 per cent of the project's cost, had asked Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to equip Airbus A330 wide-bodied AWACS aircraft with refuelling capability.

"Negotiations with Airbus had been completed on the basis of the in-principal approval given by the government and an RFP (request for proposal) that was floated. We will be buying six aircraft, and may buy two more under the option clause later," S. Christopher, DRDO chief, told IANS.

The Airbus A-330, a medium to long-range wide-body twin-engined jet, which emerged as the single bidder for the tender floated by India, is likely to be the platform for the next generation AWACS systems, which will double up as mid-air refuellers.

"Adding this refuelling capacity will give a multi-functional role to the platform. It will also be economic as the cost will be around 36 per cent lower," Christopher said.

As the proposal was put to the air force, it asked DRDO if it was possible to include air-to-air refuelling. "The AWACS fly with buddy aircraft to protect it, which can also be fuelled by the same aircraft," he said.

Since the Airbus A-330 had already an in-principal approval for the AWACS system, the DRDO did not want to go through the process again which may have resulted in cost escalation of the platform.

The DRDO official said a "tech scan" of the platform was carried out, and it was found that the Airbus A-330 could be used for both purposes. The committee undertaking the tech scan had a member from the DRDO, apart from the IAF and the defence ministry.

The IAF at present has two AWACS systems -- the Israeli Phalcon AWACS on the Russian IL-76 and an indigenous system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 that was handed over to IAF by DRDO at the Aero India 2017. Two more Embraer aircraft are being fitted with the system.

The IAF at present operates six IL-78 planes for air-to-air refuelling and has a requirement for more. Incidentally, in 2016, India had scrapped a deal for acquisition of six Airbus A-330 mid-air refuelling aircraft.

The indigenous AWACS have a 240 degree scanning capability, which means it scans the area on both sides, but not in the front or back.

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 like 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 new system is scheduled to be ready in seven years.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...efuelling-capability/articleshow/61862710.cms
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amal and Aditya10r
It this is really taken, It might be to mostly to refuel its own CBG (Combat Battle group) the planes that are flying CAP with the AWACS to give it protection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nair
I think we should (or some powers should) develop a COMBAT AWACS, I am talking in terms when two competetive powers will have a face off, say India / China or China / USA, the air space will be contested thus giving no air dominance or complete air superiority, maybe area air superiority might be possible for at least a short span. but having a Combat AWACS would be an advantage where this is also a combat plane but lightly armed. This would be the one which would be the Active one using its radar and avionics and remain "active" and allowing other planes to be passive and yet have a better view of the battle scenario. In case its a dedicated plane, I am conceptualising something like Su-34 platform with avionics and fuel and lightly armed with WVR mainly, and also have heavy EW suite. The idea would be that the other planes in the group can do more roles than just protecting the "AWACS" because in a way, the AWACS is not a sitting duck. Does anyone agree with this concept?
 
  • Like
Reactions: nair
I think we have a bigger requirement for MRTT, C-17 at the most we can get is another one, and we do not have a strategic lifter other than that, So either we develop our own (which will take few decades) else we go for something that is available, I prefer 4 engine (more reliable than 2 engines)
 
  • Like
Reactions: nair
It this is really taken, It might be to mostly to refuel its own CBG (Combat Battle group) the planes that are flying CAP with the AWACS to give it protection.

I think the idea is to refuel the escorts and use it in emergencies and not as a dedicated refueller.
 
As the proposal was put to the air force, it asked DRDO if it was possible to include air-to-air refuelling. "The AWACS fly with buddy aircraft to protect it, which can also be fuelled by the same aircraft," he said.
And this is the crux of the matter, this will NOT be a stand alone AAR, it will NOT be supporting stand alone strike missions. It will have an AAR capability so far as it will be able to offload minimal fuel to keep those fighters that are escorting it airborne and in tandem with the AWACS.


This is actually a very smart move and will free up other fighters that would otherwise have to go and relieve the escorts as they turned for home to refuel.

IAF still needs dedicated AARs, AWACS will not take this role at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amal
MOD, DRDO and IAF are all hand in glove for buying new airframes for MRTT and AWACs while A-340-500s are the best solutions for their needs. Imagine they want to install additional engines inside the fuselage of A330-200 to augment the electircal supply for various onboard systems while A340-500 has far excess supply available and can easily act as a tanker also.
 
MOD, DRDO and IAF are all hand in glove for buying new airframes for MRTT and AWACs while A-340-500s are the best solutions for their needs. Imagine they want to install additional engines inside the fuselage of A330-200 to augment the electircal supply for various onboard systems while A340-500 has far excess supply available and can easily act as a tanker also.
A330 is far more efficient than A340 and there already exists a MRTT version of it.
 
A330 is far more efficient than A340 and there already exists a MRTT version of it.
In what manner? can you please explain the relevance of your post w.r.t military planes and civil airliners and what will be the fuel consumption of A330-200/300 when you install a huge APU in it which will need to run thruout its flight?
 
The A340 are no longer in production, so you'd have to convert second-hand liners.
Just read what Australians are doing and than tell me this/ Do you even know the annual utilisation of aircraft like AWACS or tankers? An old airframe with just about 35% life remaining in them will last over 25 yrs with IAF. The HGW version of most A340-500s have over 50% life remaining in them.
 
What if we shift from Airbus to Boeing i.e. A330 to 787-10 Dreamliner..
8.JPG
 
Stop these comparisons. First learn what is needed from a platform and what it shud have as its capabilities? Twin engine aircraft has to land back ASAP if there is problem with any of its engines. But a four engine aircraft can continue with full mission even if one engine fails. A BA B747-400 which took off from US west coast for Heathrow lost one engine short of crossing coast and continued with three engines all the way to heathrow. FAA wanted to fine the pilot for not landing within US after one of his engine failed. BA challenged the Boeing for certifying the aircraft as such. Matter was not pursued by FAA thereafter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person