In pics: The aerial combat platforms of Indian Navy

Ganges84

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posted on 8 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Indian Navy Aviation today stands poised on a springboard that would propel the Fleet Air Arm to greater heights with a quantum leap in the forces' offensive capabilities.

Indian Navy has been building its fleet air arm with an aim to acquire a formidable and sturdy defence capability. The exponential growth of a fledgling Fleet Requirement Unit with ten amphibian Sealand aircraft in 1953 into a modern force is testimony to the Navy’s aspirations and resolve in developing this arm. This stems from global cognition of aviation component of a fleet as an invaluable tool for power projection and extending surveillance reach.

Current projects, ranging from acquisition of an aircraft carrier to fitment of the most modern and state-of-the-art equipment onboard aerial platforms, are in consonance with the envisaged growth of the Navy and the challenges that it must face in the future.

Hawk AJT

The Hawk AJT has advanced digital cockpit displays that allow trainee pilots to practice navigation, the use of sensors like radar, and to fire weapons. The weapons and equipment of the Hawks need to be integrated with the avionics of the aircraft.

The aircraft has Hands-On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) cockpit controls. The throttle allows the pilot to make weapon selections without moving his hands from the controls.

P-8I

The P8i aircraft is a variant of P8A Poseidon aircraft from Boeing as a replacement for the US Navy's ageing P-3 fleet. The P8i aircraft is equipped for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations. The aircraft was deployed by the Indian Navy from Malaysia and Port Blair as India's flag bearer during the search for missing Malaysian Airlines MH 370 in March 2015.

The P-8I aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 789 km/h at a maximum altitude of 12,496m. The aircraft has a maximum range of 2,222 kms with four hours on station. The flight crew of the P-8I comprises of a pilot and copilot. However for missions, it needs an additional team of 7 to monitor the radar and weapons systems. The cockpit is integrated with primary flight display, multifunction displays, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), flight management system and stores management system.

UAV-Heron