Aviation
Inside Air India One: India’s Advanced Aerospace Marvel
Every country has its own powerful aircraft dedicated to serving its most important officials, such as the Prime Minister and President. India’s newest Air India One is among these. It is equipped with advanced aerospace technology, making it a powerful large aircraft.
As we all know, the United States President’s aircraft, Air Force One, is one of the most famous planes in the world. Similarly, many countries have special aircraft for their VVIPs, such as presidents and prime ministers. These aircraft are not typical; they are flown with special support from the country’s defense agencies.
The air traffic control call sign for any special extra section flight flown by the Indian Air Force for the President of India, Vice President, or Prime Minister is Air India One. The mission is directed by a special unit based at Air Force Station Palam.
The executive enclosure on the Indian Air Force aircraft features an office and a bedroom. All other passengers on Air India One must carry color-coded identity cards at all times. Inside, the plane includes a meeting area, a VVIP cabin, a medical facility, and seats for additional dignitaries and personnel. This aircraft can fly continuously for 17 hours after refueling.
In the event of an emergency, the plane can refuel in the air. Air India One, powered by twin GE90-115 engines, can reach a top speed of 559.33 mph. These planes are like flying fortresses. The cost of Air India One is estimated to be Rs 8,458 crore. Like Air Force planes, these new aircraft have a limitless range and are capable of flying around the world continuously.
In the event of an attack, the customized aircraft can conduct a counter-offensive, similar to Air Force One’s military systems. The Boeing 777 is equipped with systems to detect missiles and jam suspicious radar frequencies. Whether it’s electronic jammers for anti-missile defense or communication jammers, Air India One is equipped with military-grade security systems and facilities for medical emergencies and passenger comfort.
The aircraft features advanced electronic warfare suites that can not only prevent attacks but also retaliate if necessary. It is equipped with its own missile defense system, called the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS). These systems include large aircraft infrared countermeasures, countermeasures dispensing systems, and integrated defensive electronic warfare suites, capable of jamming enemy radar signals and diverting nearby missiles with countermeasures and flares.
It has twelve Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares)
It has eight (8) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares)
It has twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares)
It has five (5) AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares)
The countermeasures subsystem uses lasers mounted in pointer-tracker turret assemblies to automatically counter advanced intermediate-range missile systems without any action required by the crew. The pilot will be informed when a threat missile is detected and jammed.
To ensure the aircraft controls are protected from hacking, Air India One is equipped with an Intruder Detection System (IDS). This system inspects all inbound and outbound network activity, identifying suspicious patterns that may indicate an attempted network or system attack. The IDS helps safeguard the aircraft from anyone trying to break into or compromise its systems.
Aviation
COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing
After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.
Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.
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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.
Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.
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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.
At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.
Other major deals announced by COMAC include:
- Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
- Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.
The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.
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