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

 
 
I am confident that SP Guide Publications would continue to inform, inspire and influence.

— Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Indian Navy Chief

My compliments to SP Guide Publications for informative and credible reportage on contemporary aerospace issues over the past six decades.

— Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Indian Air Force Chief
       

QuickRoundUp

Issue: 12-2021

AAI

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has taken up development of new airports and expansion/ upgradation of existing airports at estimated cost of around 25,000 crores in next 4-5 years. In addition, three Public Private Partnership airports at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have undertaken major expansion plan to the tune of 30,000 crores by 2025. These projects are at various stages of planning/development.

BAE Systems

BAE Systems has been selected by the Department of Defense (DoD) to qualify a new generation of integrated circuit technology for use in the harsh environment of space. The new 12 nanometer technology uses a smaller feature size that provides a dramatic leap forward in space-based computing compared to current 45 nanometer technology. Ricardo Gonzalez, Director of Space Systems at BAE Systems clarified that , “moving from a 45 nanometer design to a 12 nanometer design enables more transistors to fit on each chip at reduced power consumption per operation.”

Boeing

Boeing & 777 Partners announced on December 7, 2021 that the Miami-based investment firm will nearly double its 737 MAX order book with the purchase of 30 additional jets. The new order expands 777 Partners’ commercial aircraft portfolio to a total of 68 737 MAXs, in its fourth order this year for the fuel-efficient, single-aisle jets. Valued at $3.7 billion at list prices.

Boeing and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (STAECO) announced on December 7, 2021, its plans to create additional capacity for the market-leading 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to help meet continued strong market demand. Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years. Of those, 1,200 will be standard body conversions with Asia carriers accounting for 40 per cent of that demand.

DRDO

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile was successfully flight tested on December 07, 2021 by DRDO from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. All sub-systems performed as per expectation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated all concerned for the successful flight test.

IAF

Government of India had approved an integrated smart power fencing project named Integrated Perimeter Security System (IPSS) for 23 Air Bases after the terrorist attack on Pathankot Air Base during January 2016. BEL had signed a contract with Indian Air Force for establishing Integrated Perimeter Security Systems for 23 Air Bases across eight states. The pilot site was commissioned in February 2021. BEL has given sub-contract to many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and System Integrators to implement the projects.

MoCA

Government of India has formulated a Greenfield Airport Policy, 2008 which provides Guidelines for establishment of new Greenfield Airports in the country. As per Policy, an Airport Developer, including the State Governments, willing to establish an Airport is required to send a proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Under UDAN scheme, so far, 154 Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) airports including 14 water aerodromes & 36 helipads have been identified for development/upgradation.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed the second flight test of its new anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) missile, demonstrating capabilities that will meet key objectives for the upcoming Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program. The test was completed utilizing a company-owned CRJ-700 aircraft as the testbed for the air to surface mission computer and sensors. Northrop Grumman invested to actively mature and test its A2/AD missile design, which meets U.S. Air Force requirements for SiAW and other programs. Featuring open architecture interfaces, the Northrop Grumman solution will bridge current requirements while enabling rapid future upgrades to meet changing mission requirements.

The Northrop Grumman Corporation and Raytheon Technologies Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) team has completed its System Requirements Review (SRR) and is proceeding with initial system design, further risk reduction testing, and critical component qualification activities. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) approved the SRR, which was completed ahead of schedule, and is the first major technical review for the Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies NGI homeland defense interceptor program. This achievement comes after Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies demonstrated its NGI Common Software Factory, which enables rapid development, integration and delivery in a DevSecOps environment.

PRATT & WHITNEY

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced that Amphibian Aerospace Industries Pty Ltd. has selected the PT6A-67F turboprop engine to power its iconic twin-engine G-111T amphibious aircraft as part of a Supplemental type certificate (STC) upgrade.

Pratt & Whitney announced today that it will expand its global network of providers that maintain the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine to Korean Air, specifically its Korean Air Maintenance and Engineering Division. The facility will serve PW1100G-JM engines for the A320neo family with full disassembly, assembly and test capability.

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced that Transport Canada Civil Aviation has type certified the PW812D turbofan engine that will power the Dassault Falcon 6X business jet.