Aerospace

7 Amazing facts to know about India’s first indigenous Aircraft Carrier

The brand-new navy aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Let’s explore some amazing details concerning the huge machine.

The brand-new navy aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Let’s explore some amazing details concerning the huge machine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the session where the Navy was given control of the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which joined the Indian Navy one day ago. Let’s learn more about this ship’s capabilities and why it is so crucial for protecting the Indian border.

It has 2,500 kilometers of cables

It generates enough electricity to run 5000 homes, and the wire will connect to Kashi from Kochi. there are 2,500 kilometers of cables. According to reports, IAC-1 contains 23,000 tonnes of steel, 150 kilometers of pipelines, 2,000 valves, and a variety of finished goods like rigid hull boats, galley equipment, air conditioning, refrigeration systems, and steering gear, indicating that more than 76% of the material and equipment on board is indigenous.

How many people worked in creating INS Vikrant?

According to reports, more than 50 companies directly employed almost 2,000 Indians each day on board IAC-1. Additionally, the project indirectly employed 40,000 people. Additionally, the approximately Rs 23,000 crore total project cost has been injected back into the Indian economy.

What is the INS Vikrant’s entire weight?

The new warship, which weighs 40,000 tonnes, is comparable to India’s present aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, which weighs 44,500 tonnes and can accommodate up to 34 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. The battleship will be an unmatched military tool because of its ability to project Air Power over great distances.

What number of compartments did Vikrant have?

With 18 stories, INS Vikrant is referred to as a floating city. It has 14 decks and 2,300 compartments, which can hold about 1,500 sea warriors. The ship’s kitchen produces about 10,000 chapatis or rotis daily to meet the needs of the crew. The INS Vikrant has 2,400 compartments, 250 fuel tankers, and a 16-bed hospital.

What types of weapons can it hold?

With 32 Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, Vikrant is armed (MRSAM). The Kavach anti-missile naval decoy system and AK 630 rotary cannons will also be installed on the aircraft carrier.

What types of aircraft will it transport?

The vessel has been built to fly “a variety of fixed wing and rotary aircraft,” according to the military ministry. In addition to the indigenously produced Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and the MH-60R multirole helicopter made by the American military firm Lockheed Martin, the MiG-29K fighter jet and Kamov-31 early warning helicopters developed in Russia will also be transported, according to the Navy. The largest ship ever constructed in Indian maritime history is the INS Vikrant. Its size is equivalent to two football fields.

What kind of INS is Vikrant using to power the enormous Fleet?

The new INS Vikrant, which is propelled by four 22 MW gas turbine engines, has a range of 7,500 nautical miles (about 13,900 km), which translates into an uninterrupted sea voyage from India to Brazil.

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.