Flight Lieutenant Krishnan Sendhil Kumar (24413) AE (L) was commissioned in the IAF on 26 Nov 1996. He has held the appointment of Officer-in-Charge Daily Servicing State (DSS) in a MiG-29 Sqn.

Presently the MiG-29 fleet of IAF utilises the AGASTI equipment for flight data acquisition and analysis. This system has outdated hardware and does not have automated analysis of aware resulting in time consuming manual analysis using graphical print out. Flt Lt Kumar recognised the shortcomings of the existing system and conceived the preliminary design of a novel Flight Data Acquisition and Analysis System (FDAAS) during his training at MiG-29 Technical Type Training (TETTRA) School at Pune. Based on the success of this preliminary design, Air HQ decided to develop a prototype. While on the posted strength of AMSE, AF he developed the prototype using the latest hardware technology and with advanced software features like automated GO-NO-GO feature and 3D aircraft simula tion to help the maintenance and operational staff in better utilisation of the aircraft. The prototype developed by him consists of four equipment and costs only Rs. 4.5 lacs as against the earlier system with three equip ment costing Rs. 12 lacs. Thus the system developed by the officer has resulted in a saving of about 70%. The prototype has successfully completed all initial development trials and bulk order for entire MIG-29 fleet is shortly expected.

During the same period, Flt Lt Kumar also took on the additional task of developing the software for Total Technical Life Extension Data Base Management system of the MiG29 as required at a BRD of AF. He also completed software development of Header Editor and computerised SARPP film analysis software, both of which involved extremely complex coding.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Krishnan Sendhil Kumar.