Combat aircraft are primarily weapons of war and their potentials define their ability in war-fighting. In 1965, our pilots fought air battles flying the Gnat that had just two guns but no missiles or on-board radar which is unthinkable these days. The MiG-21s that we acquired in the late ‘60s and right through the ‘80s flew much faster, had a rudimentary radar’ but were limited in respect of payload and range.
A void was felt in the capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to strike deep inside the enemy territory. That called for the induction of a fleet of Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft (DPSA) that could carry twice the load of the MiGs and fly double the range. The Jaguar came in 1979 as the DPSA which had an inertial navigation system, the accuracy of which was hitherto unheard of. These aircraft could deliver weapons with pin-point accuracy; but were limited in manoeuvrability. Then came, the air-superiority fighters that were designed with relaxed stability to achieve supermanoeuvrability by virtue of electronically-driven flight controls.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av SP’s Aviation.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'ZEITENWENDE' - THE TURNING POINT!
In an exclusive interaction, Chief of Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz speaks with Consulting & Contributing Editor Manish Kumar Jha, in New Delhi on a comprehensive range of issues concerning German forces' modernisation, NATO's role, military acquisitions, and Germany's presence in the Indo-Pacific building a new era of military cooperation with India.
REWRITE THE RULE BOOK
The success of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 hinges on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's ability to translate its vision into reality through efficient administration and regulation.
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE AND ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
Over seven decades of FIA, the airshow still remains significant, underscoring the industry's collective drive towards sustainability, Al-based solutions, advanced air mobility, strategic partnerships, significant orders and groundbreaking technologies
STEERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The UDAN scheme has been a game-chan¢ger for India’s aviation industry, democratising air travel, stimulating economic development, and fostering regional connectivity becoming a cornerstone of India’s aviation strategy
THE HIGH-FLYING PATH TO A $5 TRILLION ECONOMY
A robust commercial aviation sector is propelling the Indian economy forward by serving as a catalyst for economic growth, driving tourism, trade, employment, and infrastructure development.
ROLE OF THE IAF IN NATION BUILDING
IAF's global reach to ensure India's ability to conduct defence diplomacy and humanitarian operations, highlight its crucial role in safeguarding and supporting the nation way beyond the traditional military functions.
EXPANDING INDIA'S GALACTIC HORIZONS
India's space economy is set for significant growth as the nation continues to be a major global player, driven by momentum in the private sector, new industry entrants, substantial investments, and supportive policy initiatives.
PRATT & WHITNEY EXPANDS INDIA OPERATIONS
New center will employ 150 aerospace experts and drive customer service and operations support
ADVANCING THE INDIAN AIR FORCE TRAINING CAPABILITIES
A new chapter has been introduced in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School (WSS) by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad on July 1, 2024.
PIPER J-3 CUB: TRUSTED TRAINER
When the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) programme was established in anticipation of US involvement in World War II, the Piper J-3 Cub was chosen as the primary training aircraft. Ultimately, 75 per cent of all CPT pilots trained on a Cub