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

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly