SP's Aviation - ISSUE No 1-2019
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INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS
SP Guide Publications puts forth a well compiled articulation of issues, pursuits and accomplishments of the Indian Army, over the years
— General Manoj Pande, Indian Army Chief
"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"
— Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Indian Navy Chief
Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.
— Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force Chief
Issue Features
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MILITARY | F-35
In the News!
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)At the recent price of $88 million per aircraft, the F-35 not only challenges currently available combat platforms in the world, but becomes a delight for air forces around the globe
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MILITARY | MODERNISATION
2019 a Landmark Year for Inductions
By Vishal ThaparFrom a game changing missile-firing drone to an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), key new weapons this year will give India more military muscle, and generate fresh options for the politico-military leadership to address threats.
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MILITARY | FIGHTER SQUADRONS
Scrambling for Numbers
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)The aspiration of the IAF to seek 45 fighters squadrons looks like a distant dream
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INDUSTRY | HINDUSTAN AERONAUTICS
Past Perfect, Future Tense
By Vishal ThaparThe scrapping of the MMRCA & FGFA programmes has suddenly pulled the plug on assured orders for fighter aircraft, and thrown India’s aviation behemoth into an existential crisis
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CIVIL | SUMMIT
India 3rd-largest aviation market of the future
By Vishal ThaparIndia unveiled a Drone Ecosystem Policy Roadmap and a National Air Cargo Policy at the Global Aviation Summit in Mumbai on January 15 and 16 while articulating a Vision 2040 for the Civil Aviation Industry, showcasing itself as a 1.12-billion air passenger market by 2040.
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SPACE | ISRO
GSAT-7A Good Need Holistic Approach
By Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The boost in drone operations comes with the IAF transitioning from ground-based control of UAVs to satellite-aided operations, enabling greater range and flexibility
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A Word from Editor-in-Chief
By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefIrrespective of any political repercussions, we have no choice but to look at as to how we can arrest this seemingly most scary depleting scenario of the fighter squadrons. Our nation’s security remains paramount. No compromises whatsoever, on this front, with any kind of excuses are acceptable.
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NEWS WITH VIEWS
Controversy over Purchase of Rafale Jets
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)The controversy over the NDA Government’s decision to purchase 36 Rafale combat aircraft from the French company Dassault Aviation has been dominating India’s political discourse for the last several months. The ruling BJP and the main opposition party Congress are at loggerheads over the deal.
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HALL OF FAME
Allan Lockheed (1889-1969)
By Joseph NoronhaAllan Lockheed was one of those rare persons who, without any formal training, exhibited immense natural talent as an aviator
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LAST WORD
Positive Step
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)Whatever be the final outcome, the move by France Government to gift two Mirage 2000 aircraft at a minimal cost to the IAF ought to be seen as a positive step to build goodwill between the two nations
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NEWS | DIGEST
India’s Light Combat Chopper declared ready for induction after Mistral 2 missile firing
By Vishal ThaparRs. 3,000 crore contract for 15 first tranche LCHs likely at Aero India 2019
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NEWS | DIGEST
Appointments
Airbus has appointed Philippe Mhun as Chief Programmes and Services Officer for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, effective January 1, 2019.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | ASIA PACIFIC
Blended Bio-Jet Fuelled Aircraft Flown by IAF
On December 17, 2018, Experimental Test Pilots and Test Engineer from the premier testing establishment ASTE of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flew India’s first military flight using blended bio-jet fuel on the An-32 transport aircraft.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | ASIA PACIFIC
S-400 Missile Defence System for India
A contract was signed on October 5, 2018 for delivery of S-400 Missile Defence system from Russia. The delivery will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | ASIA PACIFIC
Russia’s over-the-horizon detection radar Konteiner
Russia’s latest over-the-horizon detection radar Konteiner will take on combat alert duty in 2019. Combat crews of radio-technical units of the Russian Aerospace Forces have taken on test combat duty on December 1, 2018.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | ASIA PACIFIC
Japan’s National Defence Programme
The Japanese government has agreed on a multi-billion defence procurement plan which was released on December 18, 2018.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | AMERICAS
Boeing Completes NATO AWACS Upgrades
Boeing has delivered the final Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft modernised with avionics and a digital cockpit to NATO, completing the fleet upgrade.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | AMERICAS
Boeing Contract for MQ-25 Stingray Research
Boeing is receiving additional funding to continue research on the MQ-25 Stingray. The contract modification is valued at $90.4 million and is expected to be completed in August 2024.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | AMERICAS
Contract for Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman has been given a $1.3 billion IDIQ contract for the Litening advanced targeting pod. Designed to improve both day and night attack capabilities, the AN/AAQ-28 pods provide pilots with advanced image processing for target identification and coordinate generation, a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, charge-coupled device television (CCD-TV) sensors, a laser spot tracker/range finder and infrared laser marker/designators.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | AMERICAS
Sikorsky, Boeing Provide First Look at SB1 Defiant
Sikorsky and Boeing provided the first look at the SB1 Defiant helicopter the companies have developed for the US Army’s Joint Multi-Role technology demonstrator programme.
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NEWS | DIGEST: MILITARY | EUROPE
First Flight of Rafale F3-R
On December 10, 2018, the first Rafale aircraft upgraded to the French Air Force’s latest F3-R standard, made its first flight from Air Base 118.
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NEWS | DIGEST: SPACE | AMERICAS
Dream Chaser Spacecraft Passes NASA Milestone
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Dream Chaser spacecraft passed a key milestone for NASA’S Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract, validating design performance and clearing the way for full spacecraft production.
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NEWS | DIGEST: SPACE | EUROPE
Military Imaging Satellite-CSO-1
France launched CSO-1 which is a new military imaging satellite and is the first of three identical satellites that are replacing France’s ageing Helios constellation.
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NEWS | DIGEST
Quick RoundUp
Airbus has confirmed that it achieved 800 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2018, subject to the finalisation of the auditing process. Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services.
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