Aerospace
India’s $3 Billion MQ-9 Reaper Drones Deal With US In Advanced Stage
India is reportedly buying 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones that were produced in the US.
The UAV aircraft, which is one of the best strategic game changers, is the war’s next frontier. Currently, India is reportedly buying 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones that were produced in the US.
There are six various variants of the aircraft depending on their operational capabilities, however, only a small number of UAVs created in the USA are offered for export to other nations. The MQ-9B is one of those UAVs.
This aircraft assists in locating the enemy’s coordinates and keeps an eye on the activity from a height of 50,000 feet. Making a choice and choosing a target for the weapons is one of the crucial elements.
Courtesy: General Atomics
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent wars in Russia and Ukraine was crucial for remotely striking enemy targets. Since these aircraft are unmanned, they can go and hit their targets at extremely high altitudes.
Beyond any reasonable expectations, American technology can undoubtedly aid India against its nearby adversaries.
The anticipated $3 billion (about Rs 22,000 crore) purchase of 30 drones is intended to increase India’s total surveillance capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and in the Indian Ocean.
General Atomics
Notably, the MQ-9B drone is a variation of the MQ-9 “Reaper,” which is said to have fired a modified Hellfire missile last month that took out al-Qaida commander Ayman al-Zawahiri in the center of Kabul.
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It has a turboprop engine that can run on several missions, and it can also be flown independently and remotely. This technology debuted in 2001.
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The MQ-9 is available in two versions, one designed for surveillance and the other with seven external hardpoints for weapon storage and firing.
The U.S. and Royal Air Force gave it the moniker “Reaper,” although it is now often used to refer to any Predator B that is armed.
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Courtesy : General Atomics
It has triple redundant flight control, which means that critical systems have been duplicated for usage in case of failure. One of the best strategies for lowering the likelihood of a significant issue affecting is redundancy. and have a more effective flight control system.
It is capable of working with both the Ku band satellite communication network and the C band line of sight data connection control. Its operational availability is 90%. It can also be self-deployed or transported by a cargo plane like a C130 transporter.
Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, MQ-9A has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1746 kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1361 kilograms) of external stores. The aircraft carries 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance/strike capability for the warfighter.
An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
MQ-9A continues to improve and evolve, making it more relevant for its customers’ emerging needs. The MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) was designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a new reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft’s already impressive endurance from 27 hours to 34 hours, while further increasing its operational flexibility. To date, the MQ-9A has been acquired by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force, and the Spanish Air Force.
- CharacteristicsWing Span:66 ft (20m)
- Length:36 ft (11m)
- Powerplant: Honeywell TPE331-10
- Max Gross Takeoff Weight:10,500 lb (4763 kg)
- Fuel Capacity:3,900 lb (1769 kg)
- Payload Capacity:850 lb int. (386 kg)3,000 lb ext. (1361 kg)
- Payloads: MTS-B EO/IR, Lynx Multi-mode Radar, Multi-mode maritime radar, Automated Identification System (AIS), SIGINT/ESM system, Communications relay
- Power:11.0 kW/45.0 kVA (Block 5)
(redundant) Performance - Max Altitude:50,000 ft (15240m)
- Max Endurance:27 hr
- Max Air Speed:240 KTAS
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A well-known aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, is in talks to partner up with Tata Group and Mahindra Group to build up local manufacturing capabilities in India. With the help of this strategic alliance, India’s aerospace sector will expand, domestic manufacturing will be strengthened, and jobs will be generated.
“Tata told us that their initial focus would be on large aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing. After that, they would consider smaller, regional aircraft, and there is the market where we are,” according to president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.
While Airbus and Boeing dominate the market for bigger commercial planes, Embraer is a market leader in regional aviation. By the end of 2023, the business wants to have decided on an Indian partner for the production of defense aircraft.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for medium-transport aircraft that have a lifting capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. It aims to finish this search by 2025 or 2026. The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical air transport aircraft, the newest defense offering from Embraer, which debuted the plane at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru in February, has been pushed for the order.
According to CEO Neto, Embraer sees “a good opportunity” in India. “The IAF has already seen our aircraft, and they approve. We have received positive feedback about the C-390 Millennium from nations like the Netherlands. We believe that the C-390 Millennium is the greatest option for that size of aircraft.
The Indian defense aviation market is not new to Embraer. The business has previously worked with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce three Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the ERJ145 platform of Embraer, which are used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) both use Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft to fly VIPs and government officials.
The partnership combines the skills and strengths of each partner. Together with Tata Group’s manufacturing capabilities and Mahindra Group’s technical know-how, Embraer’s extensive domain understanding and technological expertise in the aerospace sector form a potent partnership that can provide high-quality products and solutions.
Embraer, Tata Group, and Mahindra Group’s cooperation paves the way for sustained success and growth. This cooperation can investigate the potential in both domestic and foreign markets as the demand for aircraft goods and services keeps growing. Together, it can boost India’s position as a major center of manufacturing, which would benefit the country’s aerospace sector as well.
The first B-52 from the U.S. Air Force has landed at Boeing to start receiving improvements under the Radar Modernization Programme.
The RMP programme will equip the B-52 with “fighter-like” radar capabilities, enhancing navigational precision, targeting, and tracking, as well as delivering fresh, high-resolution mapping. Additionally, numerous targets can be engaged at once by the new radar.
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According to Jennifer Wong, director of Bomber Programmes, “The B-52 brings unique, critical capabilities to the U.S. Air Force as they move to a future two-bomber platform strategy.” We are improving the B-52 radar to make the aircraft more relevant to the warfighter for tactical assault or close air support.
Boeing started low-rate initial manufacture of the new radar system for operational test and evaluation after the radar programme Critical Design Review was completed on schedule. Modernization of the B-52 is being done at Boeing facilities in San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
Modern active electronically scanned array radar, two big area touch-screen displays with high clarity, two display sensor system processors to link the radar with other B-52 systems, two hand controllers, and a new wide-band radome on the aircraft’s nose are all part of the RMP programme modifications.
Volaris, a Mexican ultra-low-cost airline, is the first airline based outside of the United States to receive an Airbus A320neo built in Airbus’ Alabama production site.
By May 30, 2023, Airbus’ North American operation in Mobile, Alabama, had built 385 aircraft from the A320 and A220 families. But up to this point, all 13 customers—US airlines—had received these deliveries.
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A third Final Assembly Line, is now being added as part of a proposal to expand Airbus’ Alabama business and boost A320 Family aircraft manufacturing.
According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the expansion will result in the creation of 1,000 jobs. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Airbus has sold more than 1,150 aircraft. In the region, more than 750 are in use, and another 500 are in the order backlog, accounting for a market share of approximately 60% of passenger aircraft now in service.
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