| Aero India 2001
Kapil Chandni
  Aero India 2001 was held at Yelahanka AFB, near Bangalore,
between 7 and 11 February 2001. Participants and delegations had already started arriving
a week before to set up the displays. And preparations were till on full swing even two
hours prior to the opening ceremony. All participating aircraft started arriving two days
prior to the event. The BAe Hawk landed on February 6.The inaugural fly-past commenced on
8 February, with a flight of 3 Mi-17 flew by carrying the Indian tricolor. The choppers
were followed by 3 Jaguars, who in turn were followed by 7 MiG-27s under the command of
Sqn Ldr Y P Rao. More excitement followed as the Akash Ganga sky diving team of the IAF
did a free fall at 6500 feet from a Mi-8. The 14 parachutists also included a husband and
wife pair. Meanwhile the IAF’s aerobatics team the Suryakirans were preparing to take
off from the opposite taxiway. There was a gasp of expectation from the audience as the 9
aircraft started taking off in VICs of 3. Suddenly Bangalore’s azure blue sky ran
riot with color as the Suryakirans revealed their various formations and maneuvers.
Comprising 12 highly experienced pilots, all wearing the Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI)
badge, the IAF is justly proud of this team. The team is led by Wing Commander Amit
Tiwari. Wg Co Tiwari and his 12 pilots have over 30,000 hours between them, on various
aircraft ranging from the rotary Chetak, the venerable Hunter to the Mirage 2000. Given
the seniority of these pilots (all Sqn Ldr and above), the Suryakirans are the IAF’s
most top-heavy formation. More so even than No.24 Squadron ‘Hunting Hawks’,
which at least has a few flying officers dispersed among the Squadron Leaders.
 Pilots
serve for a maximum of two years with this Bidar based display team. When a vacancy
arises, notices about it are sent to all fighter squadrons around the country and
interested pilots apply for an aptitude flight at Bidar. Applicants are asked to fly solo
in the Kiran and perform some maneuvers as laid down by the team. The entire team observes
the whole exercise, and only when they all agree about an applicant’s precision
flying skills is he formally asked to join the team. The team gives an average of 25
performances around the country each year. They have a dedicated team of technicians who
maintain their aircraft. The support team also consists of an administrator who also gives
the commentary during the display as well as a videographer who records the entire display
on videotape. The aircraft also have their own video cameras. After every performance,
however flawless it may be, the team is debriefed by the CO and the tapes are analyzed.
Such is the preparation and planning that goes into the seemingly effortless display where
pilots take off at 150 km/h, go right up to 600 km/h and perform thrilling maneuvers with
wingtips less than 5 metres apart. The constantly dynamic profiles subject the pilots to
alternating ‘g’ forces between +6 to –1.5. Beginning with the basic diamond
formation, the team enthralled the audience with its displays of the Card, the Delta, and
the famous Shockwave where the lead aircraft represents the tip of a shockwave as an
aircraft goes through the sound barrier. The formation that brought the most cheer, apart
from the Wine Glass, was the Valentine Special in which a heart carved by a synchro pair
is pierced by a third aircraft. This scintillating display of aerial choreography ended
with the team in a Tango formation, where the aircraft in a T, releasing smoke in the
Indian tricolour. The T standing for ‘Thank You’ to the audience.
 The
MiG-29 K and Sukhoi-30 MKI were parked on the flightline next to each other. Looking at
the two of them next to each other, one begins to appreciate the immense dimensions of the
Sukhoi. It makes the MiG seem puny in comparison. But only in size, as the MiG is a potent
aircraft too in a class of its own. It was the MiG which fired its engines first. The
Russian pilot strapped himself in, folded the wings right there and took his plane out on
the taxiway. Halfway down the taxiway he lowered his canopy and disappeared. A word about
Yelahanka’s runway here. Yelahanka has a humped runway, which is why standing at the
center of it, aircraft seem to disappear up the taxiway. A sudden bang and a plume of
smoke appeared and then suddenly the Mig-29K came screaming up the runway and took off at
a significantly short distance at nearly full power. It began its climb rapidly, banked
and proceeded to display the most enthralling aerobatics which a carrier-borne aircraft
can ever do. Effortless loops, rolls and other rapid breathtaking maneuvers were performed
with ease across the sky by the experienced MiG pilot. As the pilot told Bharat-Rakshak
later in slightly accented English-‘The MiG 29 was always the favorite of Russian
pilots due to its great performance and ease of flying. The basic 29 was always the
easiest aircraft to fly. Next came the even simpler SMT. And now this K model with its own
unique navy customizations and fly by wire makes it the simplest aircraft to fly among all
of Russia’s inventory". After a super performance, the MiG 29K appeared to come
in for a landing and let down its tailhook to remind the audience that this aircraft can
operate from a rolling and pitching runway in the middle of an ocean. But instead of
landing as it should have it demonstrated its ‘boltin’ wherein the aircraft
touched down briefly, went back to full power, continued down the runway and took off
again immediately. It then repeated a few of its aerobatics and then came back for a
proper landing.
The MiG 29K is part of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier
(euphemistically called as Aircraft Carrying Cruiser in the Russian Media) deal. A total
of 60 fighters and trainers are expected to be procured when (and if) the deal is
finalized soon between India and Russia. While the aircraft has been evaluated by a team
of experienced Indian naval aviators in Russia, others are undergoing basic flight
training at the Air Force Academy. A few are already seconded to various MiG-21 bis
squadrons around the country after which they will proceed to the IAF’s MiG-29
squadrons and gain enough experience before moving on to the K when it arrives. The Navy
is the launch customer for this aircraft and is working closely with RAC MiG on the
project. The advantage of having a maintenance organization in place due to the IAF’s
MiG 29 fleet played an important role in selecting this aircraft over the Dassault Rafale
M. The plane in Bangalore was one of the two K models in existence and looking at the
scratches on its airframe one could appreciate the intensive testing this aircraft has
undergone. Phazotron’s Zhuk-M radar which is a derivative of the baseline Zhuk radar
is the primary target designation system. The Zhuk M’s acquisition range has
increased 1.5 times and features a wide scan and tracking area of +/- 85 deg. in azimuth
and +/- 60 deg. in elevation, terrain following mode and ground target acquisition mode
including high resolution modes. In addition to the primary role of being a trainer the
two-seater MiG-29K-UB can perform a wide spectrum of tasks such as EW and reconnaissance
as well. Fitted with appropriate systems it can also function as a mini-AWACS.
  As
the MiG 29 k began its final descent, the Su-30MKI had started up. The massive Lyulka
engines made the ground shudder as they were started from the GPU. And this was a fraction
of its power, mind you. The aircraft was piloted by OKB Sukhoi test pilot Vyachaslev
Avyeranov who has been connected with the Indian program since its inception.
Incidentally, he also happens to be the pilot who baled out from the Su-30 MK at the Paris
Air Show two years ago. The MKI performed its entire stock of maneuvers including the
famous Cobra. The Su-30MKI has a tandem triplane aerodynamic configuration - a combination
of conventional design with foreplanes, with a lifting fuselage and developed wingroot
extensions. This interaction of the foreplanes and the wingroot extensions creates a
controlled vortex effect similar to that of the adaptive wing. The secret behind the Su-30
MKI’s superb handling are its engines with Thrust Vectoring Controls(TVC). This is
why the aircraft was able to execute complex aerobatics such as the vertical reverse roll,
the bell, variants of the Cobra achieving an angle of attack of as much as 180 degrees!
Civilians were not the only ones impressed. A senior Royal Air Force dignitary on the
tarmac with much experience of NATO aircraft commented with a depressed look-"I wish
my Tornado could do even half the moves your new acquisition can. The only thing the
Tornado can do which the Sukhoi can is take off. Nothing more in common". He
estimated that the Su-30 MKI can outperform the F-16C block 60, F-16C Block 50 and F-18E/F
by about 15, 20 and 12 percent respectively in long-range aircraft. Significantly he
refused to comment on how his Tornadoes will match up with the Su-30.
Other aircraft began their mundane (in
comparison to the Su-30 MKI) air displays later. The Tornado did some amazing low level
flying as did the HAL manufactured Jaguar and MiG 27ML. Both aircraft by flown by IAF test
pilots who are on deputation to HAL and hence the aircraft did not IAF unit markings.
Poland’s Skytruck does look as shapeless as a truck, but it is a very capable short
take off turboprop as it was demonstrating daily. Dassault’s Falcon and the ATR-42
were two transport craft both very different in themselves yet a pleasure to watch flying.
An An-38 was also flying while the two whales of the air ,a pair of IL-76s were on static
display throughout the show. The RAF contingent comprising 2 Tornado GR 3s from Scotland,
a C-130, a Nimrod and a VC-10 tanker had flown all the way from their bases in Scotland.
The RAF while unhappy about reductions in their force structure is excited about the
Eurofighter Typhoon, soon to enter service. The Nimrod and the VC-10 were parked at
Bangalore Airport and would fly over Yelahanka every afternoon on schedule. India’s
very capable Advanced Light Helicopter was flying too. Resplendent in a bright vermilion
paint scheme the ALH on display was the air ambulance version and it demonstrated some
very nifty maneuvers which included a simulated medevac exercise of lifting a stretcher.
The Coast Guard will be the first air arm to get the ALH later this year. Tests are
progressing on other variants. Eighty-two Turbomeca TM333 2B2 engines have already been
ordered, while the development of a more powerful engine is underway. One hopes that HAL
does a good job of exploiting the enormous civilian applications of this excellent
rotorcraft and promote it aggressively.
Even though the LCA failed to put in an
appearance during the first two days, ADA’s stall and the full scale LCA mockup
attracted a regular stream of visitors. At the stall there was a rotating model of the
proposed Naval LCA model which is expected to first fly in 2005. This design is optimized
for carrier operations and is likely to be in service by 2010. To be priced at US$17
million, the LCA when inducted will give a very high bang for buck value. The IAF alone
plans to buy at least 220 of these aircraft. So far the composite wing, the Flight Control
System and the Digital Avionics suite has been developed, while work is progressing on a
full glass cockpit. The aerodynamics of the TD-1 are even better than were expected and
work is on to shave 200 kg off the next airframes. Plumbing for air-air refueling is also
being fitted on the 3rd and 4th prototype vehicles. The Technology
Demonstrator-2 (TD-2) will fly before this monsoon, while the weight reduction of the
Prototype vehicle –2 (PV-2) is expected to be achieved by December 2001. TD-2 will
also feature drop tanks and integration of the R-73 and other weapons will commence later.
ADA understands the importance of creating a solid manufacturing infrastructure in
parallel with the development of the LCA prototypes, and while a certain amount of
pre-investment has been done for jigs and fixtures, a request for more investment has been
made to the government. Project managers were justly proud of the LCA team, which has been
working on the prototypes, undaunted by criticism. Spin-offs from the LCA project are not
limited to courtship by foreign aerospace companies. A senior member of the LCA team said
that of the 170 critical components needed for the new Intermediate Jet Trainer, the
stunning HJT-36 , about 100 can be transferred directly from the LCA. The LCA flew on the
third day of the show at around 1510 hours, when ACM Tipnis was strapping himself into the
WSO’s seat of the Su-30 MKI to go for a flight. The Mirage 2000 escorting the LCA
banked right and the LCA flew past at low level before anyone could realize the rapid
event.
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Two views of CAB's LCA
radar hack (top). The Kabini core of the Kaveri engine (left). |
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HAL is having a great 60th anniversary. Not
only was their show management top notch, they also have orders worth over 2 billion US$.
12 Lancers will be delivered to the Indian Army by September 2001.The upgraded MiG-21-93s
did not make an appearance at the show. However, upgradation of the remaining 123 MiGs
have begun at HAL’s Nashik Plant. Though lagging behind schedule, flight tests at
Sokol’s Nizhny Novogrod plant involved a firing of two R-77 (RVV-AE) missiles
simultaneously at two drones successfully. The Kopyo coherent multi-mode radar has also
been tested in terrain mapping mode. In the air-to-ground mode the radar was able to
select moving targets effectively enabling the Mig-21 to be used in a secondary ground
attack role. HAL has also begun work on a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) in the
3000-3500 kg category. It will be powered by a single TM333 engine instead of the
ALH’s two. The LOH is meant to supplant the Cheeetah and also offer a greater payload
capacity than the Cheetah, 200 kg compared to the latter’s 66 kg.
 To
replace the IAF’s aging An-32 fleet, HAL is collaborating with OKB Ilyushin to
develop the Il-214T. This Tactical Transport Aircraft (TTA) will feature a digital FBW
system, a glass cockpit at a range of 2800 km in the tactical transport role and 6000 km
in the ferry role. The IJT, HJT-36 is another exciting program underway at HAL. Powered by
the Snecma Larzac 04-30 turbofan engine and featuring a semi-glass cockpit about 225
HJT-36s are needed by the IAF to replace the Kiran HJT-16 Basic Jet trainer. First flight
is expected in October 2002. HAL has collaborated and with IAI’s TAMAM Division to
produce the Airborne Observation System on the Do-228 platform. Very capable on account of
being equipped with the Elta EL/M 2022A radar, possessing an Airborne Multi-Mission
Optronic Stabilized Payload with FLIR this has the navy excited. This aircraft also has a
datalink to send data in real time to a Ground Observation Station. All of Israel’s
enterprises participated in the show. The Litening Pod used in Kargil in 1999 was on
display. Also on the tarmac was a mean looking Mi-17 PEAK in a black paint scheme.
IAI’s Lahav Division has come out with a tactical upgrade to bring full night and
all-weather capability package to Mi-17/Mi-8 and Mi-24 assault helicopters. The helicopter
features a glass cockpit which is adapted to the night vision goggles compatible mode, a
tactical mission map which provides preflight mission planning on board, updating and
post-mission debriefing. Tamam has developed the HMOSP observation and targeting payload
as well as the pilot’s ‘smart’ helmet. Elta has developed the
chopper’s self-protection system and a modular electronic warfare suite. The BAe Hawk
is the IAF’s preferred AJT, though a deal has yet to be announced. India’s own
AEW project has been shut down since the crash of the HS-748 testbed in 1999 along with
the scientists on board. The Russian A-50 was found expensive and lacking compared to the
Phalcon AEW. Unfortunately, the Phalcon remains elusive due to American pressure on
Israel. The IAF remains hopeful of a breakthrough. Meanwhile the Russians have come back
into the game by offering India the A-50 aircraft under lease terms that will meet
India’s financial capabilities. This is the first time ever in Russian arms export
practice that a lease option has been used in this manner. DRDO had a good show too. LRDE
announced its first export customer for its X-Band Slotted Wave Guide Array Antenna.
Obtaining this contract to develop and deliver this antenna against international
competition is quite an achievement.
So what was Aero India all about?
Impressive flying machines flying in the air? Certainly. High Tech gadgetry on display at
the stands? Absolutely. But even more than that it was a tribute to India’s
technological progress. And this has been possible only due to the people who toil away in
far flung labs across the country, who persevere in proving to the world that India has
the ability to design, test, develop and deploy highly complex weapon systems. It is these
people who should take a bow amidst a grateful nation’s applause. And of course the
pilots. The ones who work as test pilots as well as the regular air force pilots. There
was camaraderie between all the pilots of various airforces at the event. Patches were
exchanged, new friends made. Old coursemates got together. Indeed the IAF had a daily
ferry service of HS 748s bringing selected pilots to Yelahanka from across the country on
one day trips. Then were the amazing photo-ops of Sukhoi Test Pilot Avyeranov smiling as
the Chief explained that they did not have any language problem as pilots all over the
world speak the same language. After the 25 minute flight, Mrs.Tipnis came up to Avyeranov
and said-"thank you for bringing my husband back safely". To which he replied,
with some embarrassment –‘Madam, your husband is such an excellent pilot that I
was feeling nervous in the air’. Incidentally, Tipnis likes flying the Su-30 and
takes it up for a spin whenever he can. Dr Kalam had a look of quiet achievement and
satisfaction on his face as he was being taken around the Indian pavilion. And rightly so.
Dr.Atre happened to be in the vicinity of the Su-30 when it landed with Tipnis at the
controls. The excited manner in which the two men greeted each other should silence all
those who allege a DRDO-IAF rift. The remarkable spirit of co-operation between Indian
designers, developers, manufacturers and users was very evident. Two other memories stand
out. A little girl walked across to the Coast Guard booth to shake hands shyly with the
lady Dornier pilots present there. And the other is a self-assured IAF fighter pilot who
was too moved for words when a boy without a right arm ,smiled at him and saluted with his
left arm. It was the unanimous opinion of everyone who that India’s first air show of
the new millennium was even better than anticipated.
Photos by Mrityunjoy Mazumdar, Sanjay
Simha, Shivshankar Sastry and Kapil Chandni. Do not reproduce without permission. |
