Tuesday, September 7, 2010

NAL TO DEVELOP AIRCRAFT DESIGN BUREAU FOR NCAD


Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) will soon set up an exclusive ‘aircraft design bureau’ in their premises to look into the design of India’s newly proposed Regional Transport Aircraft-70 (RTA-70). Russia has the bureau concept with its Sukhoi Design Bureau being a very popular one in the world.
The design bureau will initially have as its core members experts from NAL but will in due course invite experts from Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC), HAL. It will also invite private aircraft designers if they can demonstrate design capability. If the private players bring in international aircraft designers, they too will be taken into the bureau after evaluation.
“The bureau will effectively function as a national aircraft design bureau and will be a major reference point for the country in any aircraft design venture,” NAL scientists told TOI.
The bureau’s first project will be the RTA-70. It has to submit to the Centre within one year an assessment of the project and what needs it will meet for the country. The assessment will include the design of the aircraft itself, how it compares with aircraft in its class from other countries, the cost-benefit ratio and how the country’s civil aviation will gain. Based on the feasibility report, the Centre will take a decision on the aircraft.
The bureau will look at design of structure/airframe, systems, propulsion, engine, avionics, flight control, electricals, hydraulics, environmental control system and cabin pressure control system among other aspects in the overall design of the RTA-70. NAL will be the focal point for the design of the aircraft though the bureau will incorporate private Indian and international teams. The RTA-70 is a turboprop regional airline offering to Indian aviation and to the rest of the world. It is expected to be in the class of or better than theATR 42/72, Q400, ERJ170 and CRJ 200/700 all of the smallto medium-aircraft.
NAL’s RTA-70 is projecting 25% to 50% lower acquisition, direct operation and maintenance costs compared to these regional aircraft.

Monday, June 21, 2010

TOP 10 MODERN FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS


10- J-10


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The J-10 adopts a “tailless delta-canard” aerodynamic layout, which was originally developed for the cancelled J-9 fighter. The aircraft has the horizontal control surfaces moved forward to become a canard in front of the wing. When the aircraft pitches up, instead of forcing the tail down decreasing overall lift, the canard lifts the nose, increasing the overall lift. Because the canard is picking up the fresh air stream instead of the wake behind the main wing, the aircraft can achieve better control authority with a smaller-size control surface, thus resulting in less drag and less weight.
Crew: One (J-10); Two (J-10S)
Powerplant: 1X Russian Salyut AL-31FN turbofan
Thrust (dry): 76.2kN (7,770kg, 17,130 lb)
Thrust (afterburning): 122.55kN (12,500kg, 27,557 lb)
In-flight refuelling: Yes
Weapon: 23mm single-barrel cannon
External Hardpoints: 11 (five under the fuselage centerline; six under the wings)


9- Mig-35


Based on the MiG-29M OTV, MiG-35 (Nato reporting name Fulcrum F), is equipped with advanced avionic suite comprising of a modern glass cockpit designed with three 6x8 inch flat-panel LCDs and full HOTAS controls, digital map, helmet-mounted sight. The latest Zhuk-AE active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar is mounted on this aircraft. This radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrading existing Zhuk ME/MSE radars, into the phased array equipped MFE/MSFE standard, deployed in MiG-29/Su-27 platforms.

MiG-35 uses an integral aerial refuelling probe, which is required as 'must have' for the Indian MRCA program.The MiG-35 is fitted with western standard Mil-1553 bus and advanced Russian made weaponry. Reliability and serviceability have been improved, reducing operating cost and improving serviceability by 2.5 times (compared to older MiG-29s). MiG-35 is The MiG-35 has a 'glass cockpit' based on Russian avionics or western systems (mostly French).equipped with an optronic target tracker, identical to the system used on the Su-30MKI. For precision air-to-ground attack missions, the aircraft can be equipped with a conformal electro-optical targeting module, installed under the right air intake. The aircraft is equipped with radar warning, electro-optical missile launch warning and laser warning sensors, and integral active self protection (jamming, chaff and flare) as part of the integral self-defense system. The aircraft has four additional hardpoints and can haul an external payload in excess of six tons.


8- Typhoon


The cockpit (available in single- or twin-seat configurations) is situated forward in the fuselage design, aft of the radar-housing nose cone assembly. The pilot(s) sit (s) under a two-piece canopy offering up excellent views from within the cockpit. The canopy consists of the forward fixed windscreen and the main component which, itself, is hinged at the rear. The contoured fuselage sports small side-mounted strakes near the cockpit and all-moving canard foreplanes. The strakes serve to move stagnant air generated by the canard foreplanes. As the Typhoon is an inherently unstable platform (her center of gravity is located aft of center itself), the canards play a crucial role in various aerodynamic aspects of the aircrafts flight envelope including pitch control. Canard foreplanes allow for improved turning and can improved total drag/lift during landing and take-off while providing greater agility at speed. Their forward position in the design also allows them to be of reduced drag as opposed to rear-mounted tail planes found in traditional fighter designs.

The main wing assemblies are of a delta wing design featuring extensive sweep along the leading edge and little to no sweep along the straight trailing edge. Construction includes carbon-fiber composite rib and spars with metal only used along the weapon hardpoints. Up to 70% of the Typhoon's construction revolves around use of carbon-fiber composites, titanium and aluminum-lithium. Control surfaces are fitted to both the leading and trailing edges. Control is aided by trailing edge flaperons which accomplish the combined tasks of conventional flaps, elevators and ailerons and are further aided by the canard foreplanes. An airbrake is fitted to the ventral side while leading-edge flaps help in landing. The delta wing design approach also allows for multiple external underwing and underfuselage hardpoints and number thirteen in the Typhoon. Jammer pods are ingeniously contained at the clipped wingtips so no ordnance is used at those areas. The Typhoon makes use of basic stealth design features including implementation of a small radar cross section. Some areas of the aircraft are coated over in special materials to absorb incoming radar waves. The radar system itself diffuses its own signals to an extent.



7 - Gripen NG


The JAS 39 Gripen is a fourth-generation fighter manufactured by Swedish company Saab. Designed as a swing-role type capable of performing multiple missions, the Gripen entered service with the Swedish air force in 1995, replacing its Saab Drakens and Viggens.

Powered by a single Volvo Aero RM12 afterburning turbofan based on the General Electric F404, the Gripen is capable of speeds of up to Mach 2 and has a maximum range of 2,800km (1,510nm).

Weapon options include a 27mm Mauser internal cannon, Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and Raytheon Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The aircraft is also being used to support the development of MBDA's Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile.

To date 236 Gripens have been ordered, with the Swedish air force to receive the vast majority, at 204 aircraft. Export customers are the Czech Republic (14), Hungary (14), South Africa (26) and Thailand (12), with some of their aircraft being remanufactured Swedish JAS 39s. The UK’s Empire Test Pilots' School also uses the Gripen for undergraduate training under an arrangement with Saab.


6- Rafale


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Rafale is a twin-jet combat aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short and long-range missions, including ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and high-accuracy strike or nuclear strike deterrence.

The aircraft has been developed for the French Air Force and Navy. 61 aircraft were ordered (36 for the air force and 25 for the navy).

The Rafale M entered service in 2001, and ten aircraft are operational on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Rafale B and C entered service with the French Air Force in June 2006, when the first squadron was established. The second air force squadron was set up in 2008.

Navy Rafale F1 standard fighters have air-to-air capability. Deliveries to the navy of the F2 standard, with air-to-ground missiles, began in May 2006 and 17 were delivered in May 2008. F1 aircraft are to be upgraded.

A €3.1bn ($3.89bn) contract to develop the fully capable F3 standard aircraft was awarded to Dassault Aviation (€1.5bn), Snecma (€600mn), Thales (€500mn) and other French defence contractors by French Ministry of Defence in February 2004. An order for 59 F3 aircraft, 47 for the air force (11 two-seat and 36 single-seat) and 12 (single-seat) for the navy, was placed in December 2004. The Rafale F3 was certified in July 2008 and will be delivered from 2009. The first squadron of 20 aircraft will be in service by the end of 2009. The contract also includes the upgrade of Rafale F2 aircraft.


5- F-18


The F/A-18 is in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, and Malaysia. As of May 1999 Hornet pilots had accumulated more than 3.7 million flight hours and, in the process, are establishing new records daily in safety, reliability, maintainability and mission performance.

A key aspect of the Hornet's popularity with pilots is the ease with which the aircraft can be converted from fighter to strike mode and back again; it's as easy as flipping a switch. During Operation Desert Storm, F/A-18s routinely performed fighter and strike missions on the same sortie. Fulfilling a variety of roles-air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions-the F/A-18 has proven to be the most versatile combat aircraft in service.

4- Su-30 /35


The Sukhoi Su-30M is a multi-role two-seater fighter, broadly comparable to the American F-15E. The Su-30MK is the export version of the aircraft. The fighter is a development of the Su-27 (Flanker) family, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau of Moscow and is manufactured by the Irkut Corporation.

The aircraft is equipped with similar avionics and thrust vectoring as the Su-37, for superior combat agility and manoeuvrability. The aircraft is armed with precision anti-surface missiles and has a stand-off launch range of 120km.

The Indian Air Force ordered 40 aircraft in 1996 and an additional ten aircraft in 1998. 18 Su-30K have been delivered which will be upgraded to MKI standard, starting in 2006.

"The Sukhoi Su-30M is a multi-role two-seater fighter, broadly comparable to the American
F-15E."

3- F-35




The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter integrates advanced very low observable stealth into a supersonic, highly agile 5th generation fighter that provides the pilot with unprecedented situational awareness and unmatched lethality and survivability. With its host of next-generation technologies and unprecedented capabilities, the F-35 is the world’s most advanced multirole fighter.

*Performs as a first-day-of-the-war fighter
*Dominates all adversaries in the air or on the surface
*Has the ability to survive and prosecute the most formidable threats expected to emerge beyond 2020
*Conducts air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions simultaneously
*Incorporates the most powerful and comprehensive sensor and mission avionics package ever to fly in a fighter



2 -T-50


Development of Russia's LFI (logkiy frontovoi istrebitel) lightweight tactical fighter has been dramatically accelerated after the Russian Air Force decided its priorities for the next 10 years. Revealed here exclusively as the I-2000 (Istrebitel {fighter} 2000) project, the aircraft is due to become operational in 2005 as Russia's basic front-line fighter. It is also likely to become the leading export product of the Russian aircraft industry. Available information on the I-2000 indicates that it will be closely comparable to the US Joint Strike Fighter, operating in both the air-to-air and air-to-surface roles.

The aircraft comes from a long line of Mikoyan lightweight fighters, such as the MiG-15 and MiG-21. It is about the same size as the MiG-21 (shorter by 1.3m but wider by 4.5m), but noticeably smaller than its immediate predecessor, the MiG-29. Take-off weight is estimated at around 12 tonnes; maximum take-off weight at about 16 tonnes.



1 -F-22


The F-22A Raptor advanced tactical fighter entered service with the US Air Force in December 2005. The USAF requirement is for a fighter to replace the F-15, with emphasis on agility, stealth and range.

Developed at Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the F-22A Raptor is a supersonic, dual-engine fighter jet, which has won the 2006 Robert J Collier Trophy from the American National Aeronautic Association (NAA).

In April 2009, production of the F-22 fighter jet was officially terminated when Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon would end the Lockheed-run F-22 programme and increase the production of the joint strike fighter. The availability of the cheaper and more-versatile F-35 fighter aircraft has resulted in production ceasing on the F-22 fighter jet


Sunday, June 20, 2010

NAL TO DESIGN FIRST CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT RTA-70 FOR THE COUNTRY


India has initiated steps to build its first indigenous civilian transport aircraft under a public-private partnership project that will be undertaken in a national mission mode.The government has set up a 15-member high-power committee (HPC) on National Civil Aircraft Development with former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair as its chairman for management and development of the key project.The first meeting of the core team of the committee comprising technologists is scheduled to be held tomorrow at the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) in Bengaluru to chart out a broad vision for the project.The HPC will carry out a feasibility study for the project to be set up as a public-private partnership that is expected to evolve eventually into a new entity for development of a national civil transport aircraft and provide a basis for civil aircraft industry in the country.This development comes weeks after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that there was no technical flaw in the Saras aircraft. The Prototype-II of the Saras aircraft, developed by CSIR’s NAL, had crashed during a test flight on 6th March last year killing the three-member crew.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-NAL will assist the HPC in implementation of the project.The terms of reference of the HPC include evolving a strategy for development of a civil aircraft indigenously; provide details on aircraft definition and performance, technologies and system, manufacturing plan, investments required, risk analysis and holding discussions with global original equipment manufacturers for partnership avenues.The HPC has also been tasked to set up a core design group with seeding from CSIR-NAL which could be subsequently upgraded to a full-fledged design centre.The design centre will be set up by drawing manpower from CSIR-NAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Aeronautic Development Authority, Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation.Earlier, NAL had prepared a preliminary report on the need for a regional transport aircraft for the Indian market which is pegged at 400 planes over the next 20 years.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Foldable wing aircraft



The Transition sport aircraft design from Terrafugia promises to take away a lot of hassles faced by modern day pilots. The aircraft named The Transition is a design that provides the convenience of being able to fold the wings, driving on any of the surface road. So, from the confines of the cockpit, one can easily stow away the wings while the aircraft is on the road and deploy the same for the flight is all done on a click of a button thus, giving solution to the issues faced by pilots like uncertain weather, rising costs etc.

Quite an innovative product one must say!

Draganflyer X4 Helicopter: Latest Ultra Portable, VTOL UAV


The latest UAV helicopter, the Draganflyer has been added to the UAV family . Several hundred hours of developmentH has went into its design, bringing about this sleek, sophisticated UAV. The Draganflyer X4 features much of the same technology as the earlier Draganflyer X6, but can be purchased at a fraction of the cost. Designed for commercial, government, and military applications, the Draganflyer X4 provides affordable aerial photographs and video surveillance.

Diverging from our larger 6 rotor design, the Draganflyer X4 features the same quad rotor design used by our older helicopters. Four brushless motors independently drive four carbon fiber rotor blades, all controlled by an advanced flight computer.

he flight computer uses SteadyFlight technology to process the inputs of seven individual sensors, including:
  • A barometric pressure sensor

  • Three accelerometers

  • Three gyroscopes

The flight computer reads sensor outputs and precisely determines the motor outputs required to keep the helicopter flying straight and level. If selected by the pilot, the barometric pressure sensor is used by the helicopter to maintain altitude. Properly trimmed and balanced, the helicopter will hold its position in the air allowing you to get excellent aerial photographs and video.

Four different cameras have been customized to work with our UAV, including:

  • A 12.1 MP digital still and video camera

  • A micro color video camera

  • low-light black and white video camera

  • A FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) video camera

All of these cameras transmit wireless video via a 5.8 GHz transmitter built into the mount. Wireless video can be received using either the handheld controller (which includes its own flat patch video antenna) or the optional base station. Video glasses plug directly into the handheld transmitter, allowing you to see what the helicopter is seeing and get perfectly aimed aerial photographs and video. The optional base station is compatible with any modern PC running Windows and features three standard RCA output jacks. This allows you to use your own recording equipment with the cameras or even re-transmit the video stream if needed.

Because all wireless communication is subject to interference, all of our cameras now feature a built-in DVR that records a pristine, interference-free copy of your aerial video to an SD card. After you finish flying, plug the SD card into your computer and edit the video using the software of your choice. Each camera also features a custom designed mount with a remote tilt feature. Designed to give you the best quality video possible, each camera mount features balanced, oil-filled shock absorbers. The shock absorbers keep the recorded video free from vibration, guaranteeing that you get the best possible results.

First solar-powered airplane enters the world aviation



Solar powered plane

The HB-SIA is the very first aircraft of its kind, designed to fly entirely on solar energy. In a world dominated by fossil fuels, the Solar Impulse project aims to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy as an alternative energy source for the future.designed to fly night and day without fuel or pollution.

Unveiled as the prototype of the world’s first solar-powered airplane by Bertrand Picard and AndrĂ© Borschberg in switzerland , Its first solar-powered flight around the world is already set to take place in 2012, making aeronautical history.


Fruit of years of work and research

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the result of years of research, studies, calculations and simulations. The plane boasts a wingspan of 63 meters able to carry up to 12,000 solar cells on its wings. The solar panels will power the four electric motors located in the aircraft and will charge the lithium-polymer batteries that will allow the plane to fly at night.

The HB-SIA’s mission is to check working hypotheses and to validate the selection of technologies and construction processes. If all goes according to plan the aircraft will take to the skies for a period of 36 hours next year, all without neither fuel nor pollution.

“Addressing this challenge is only possible by taking the maximum benefit of solar energy. Every watt counts, and all forms of saving energy are being looked into. Only the most sophisticated will allow it. We believe to have found them by comparing the experiences of each member of the team and by adding their potential,” said Borschberg.

The size of an airplane, the power of a scooter

The plane has the wingspan of an Airbus A340, which provides a surface for maximum solar cells. Also, the HB-SIA weighs no more than a car and has the power of a scooter. As a result, its engineers have needed to develop a completely new type of airplane with completely different characteristics.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Emirates owns the first Airbus A380 for its airliner


The first Airbus A380 aircraft made delivered to Emirates Airline in Hamburg, Germany. The first customer A380 powered by Engine Alliance engines, was presented to Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group,

Emirates unveiled its exclusive, spacious and luxurious cabin, featuring 489 seats (14 first class suites, 76 business and 399 economy). For added passenger relaxation, innovative ceiling mood lighting throughout creates a calming starry night sky effect. Fulfilling the A380 dream has required vision, innovation, a lot of courage and determination. Emirates shared in this vision early on and today the result is the world’s most modern, innovative and eco-efficient aircraft ever built. The A380 is changing the way people travel. Airbus is proud of all the engineers, staff and customers such as Emirates who have made the A380 a magnificent realityhe aircraft’s efficiency and advanced technologies result in higher operational flexibility and outstanding economics, with a range of more than 15,000 km and seat-mile costs 20 per cent lower than its closest competitor.
The A380 will take-off for the United Arab Emirates on July 29, arriving at Dubai International Airport in the afternoon. Emiratesand the first A380 commercial service is on August 1st between Dubai and New York, USA. Currently Emirates Airline has 50 Airbus aircraft in its fleet.

The A380 will take-off for the United Arab Emirates on July 29, arriving at Dubai International Airport in the afternoon. Emirates’ first A380 commercial service is on August 1st between Dubai and New York, USA. Currently Emirates Airline has 50 Airbus aircraft in its fleet.
To date, total orders and commitments for the A380 stand at 202 aircraft from 17 customers.