India Navy Aircraft Carriers

[Gary]

Harshal Pal's rendition of what a 'IAC 1.5' would look like - basically a CATOBAR version of Vikrant:

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Would be pretty similar in profile, size & scope to the Charles de Gaulle.

Is this active project?

 

[Gessler]

Is this active project?

Nope.

But there is some talk in defence circles that if IAC-2 is shelved for time being (giving priority to SSN program), then they could give an order for CSL to build the cheaper 'IAC 1.5' in the meantime so as to keep the shipyard running & not lose carrier-building experience.

Personally, I don't buy it.

 

[Paro]

The ANC, SSNs, and various foreign bases are the top priority now. IN wants to secure IOR with full air and naval coverage before going for larger ship projects.

There is a chance a tender might be floated only to private shipyards for mistral class ships. but it depends on their budgets I guess.

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1454786501665910790

 

[Gessler]

Pics from 2nd round of trials...IAC-1 being escorted by a P-16A Brahmaputra-class FFG and a Sukanya-class OPV...plus what looks like an FPV behind it.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1454786501665910790

Indian helo on Indian carrier Can't wait to see it conduct arrested landings of MiG-29Ks and especially NLCAs.

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1455034650275901440

 

[Nilgiri]

Navy to tweak its aircraft carrier plan to accommodate surveillance and attack drones

Combination of manned & unmanned systems would mean overall displacement of proposed third aircraft carrier would reduce from 65,000 tonnes, while also decreasing cost.

theprint.in

Navy to tweak its aircraft carrier plan to accommodate surveillance and attack drones​

Combination of manned & unmanned systems would mean overall displacement of proposed third aircraft carrier would reduce from 65,000 tonnes, while also decreasing cost.​

SNEHESH ALEX PHILIP 16 November, 2021 4:55 pm IST

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is staying firm on its plans for a third aircraft carrier, but discussions are on to tweak design plans to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicles apart from fighter aircraft, ThePrint has learnt.

This combination of manned and unmanned systems would mean that the overall displacement of the aircraft carrier would come down from the proposed 65,000 tonnes, while also reducing the cost and time taken to build it.

The development comes as the Navy is working on a modified 15-year Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP), which will be in tune with the 10-year Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP) that the Department of Military Affairs is working on to ensure an integrated approach to procurement.

“We are looking at having a combination of both manned and unmanned aircraft on the third aircraft carrier,” a source in the defence and security establishment said.

Asked if the unmanned aircraft will be for surveillance only, the source said, “They will be of different kinds. There will be a mix of both surveillance and attack capability.”


A second source spoke about the reduction in weight and cost of the aircraft carrier.

“The entire design of an aircraft carrier is based on the kind of aircraft it will carry and the number of them. With a mix of both manned and unmanned assets, the weight will come down from the proposed 65,000 tonnes. With this, the cost will also come down,” the second source said.

The sources said this would be the first aircraft carrier to cater to both fighter aircraft and drones.

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Also read: HAL choppers get defence ministry nod in bid to replace Cheetah & Chetak, Kamov hangs in balance

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‘Navy has budgeted for 3rd aircraft carrier’​

There has been a debate in the defence establishment on whether India needs a third aircraft carrier.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat has, in the past, questioned the viability of the third aircraft carrier, while insisting that the focus should be on submarines.

“All these (third aircraft carrier, new submarines, maritime patrol aircraft) have a definite role. To make a balanced force, all these are required for the capability,” the Navy’s Vice Chief, Vice Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade, said in response to a question by ThePrint during a briefing on the upcoming commission of the first of the Visakhapatnam class of guided missile destroyers and the fourth Scorpene Submarine.

He added that the Navy’s MCPP has factored in the aircraft carrier, submarines and the maritime patrol aircraft.

To allay any fears of budget constraints, he said that the MCPP is based on the predicted growth of budget, and how much funding is available. “In our budget, we have catered for all three,” he said.

Ghormade underlined that the maritime environment is a complex one and it only increases with more players involved.

“We live in a time when global and regional balances of power are shifting rapidly and the region of most rapid change is undoubtedly the Indian Ocean Region,” he said. “Continuous efforts are, therefore, on ensuring that our force levels grow progressively to enhance the capability of the Indian Navy to meet the emerging challenges.”

(Edited by Arun Prashanth)

 

[Gessler]

Interesting - I wonder what kind of drones will find use onboard the new IAC-2...a navalized version of the IUSAV flying wing is probably a given. Perhaps also a version of the planned CATS (combat air-teaming system) loyal wingman family.

I'd guess they might look to purchase MQ-25 Stingray as a tanker platform (alleviating manned fighters from wearing out their airframes performing buddy-refueling) if & when it becomes available for export.

Perhaps a CAT-launched drone that can perform a similar role as the RQ-4/MQ-4? The carrier could act as a node for surveillance of the entire Indian Ocean Region.

 

[Gessler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1466274965469102096

 

[Nilgiri]

Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant

The Rafale-M fighter will be pushed through an intensive trial to assess whether it is best suited for IAC-1.

www.hindustantimes.com

With countdown already begun to commission indigenous aircraft carrier 1 as INS Vikrant in August 2022, the Indian Navy will conduct flight trials of Rafale-Maritime fighter at Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa on January 6 onwards as part of its exercise to identify the best warplane to suit the 40,000 tonne carrier. The IAC 1 is based at Cochin shipyard and is currently undergoing intensive sea trials in Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

According to officials in knowledge of the matter, the Rafale-M fighter will be pushed through intensive trial at the 283 metre mock-up ski jump facility at INS Hansa for nearly 12 days to assess whether the fighter aircraft is best suited for IAC-1. The Rafale M fighter is the principal weapon system for French Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier and has also shown its inter-operability with US aircraft carriers way back in 2008.

The Indian Navy is also planning to test US F-18 Hornet fighter at the same facility apparently in March as the alternative option to Rafale-M fighter. The Boeing F-18 is a proven carrier based multi-role fighter for the US Navy and has performed strike operations from way back to 1991 Gulf War.

While the Indian Navy operates two squadrons of MiG-29K onboard its sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the Russian aircraft is facing issues of maintenance and spare parts availability.

The DRDO’s LCA-M is still in the development stage with two single engine demonstrator fighters being flight tested from INS Vikramaditya and the Goa based shore based test facility for providing inputs to the final twin engine deck based carrier fighter in future. According to Aeronautical Development Agency, the first flight trial of the indigenous twin engine fighter is expected before 2026 and induction into Indian Navy before 2031.

While the decision on which fighter will spearhead IAC-1 will be based on the flight trials, fact is that Rafale-M is lighter and smaller in airframe to F-18 and packs a bigger punch than its American counterpart in terms of longer range air to air missiles and air to land missiles. Naval Aviation experts also say that it will be require structural modifications to the IAC 1 to fit F-18 into the lift to cart the fighter from hanger to the flight deck above due to its comparatively larger airframe.

As the IAC -1 is expected to commissioned as INS Vikrant on August 15, 2022, the 75th year of Indian independence, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is a strong possibility that the Indian Navy may ask the French manufacturers of the aircraft to lease four to five Rafale -M in 2022 so that the aircraft carrier is made operational. India already has a maintenance cum flight training facility of Rafale at Ambala air base. The Naval aviators will be trained at INS Hansa.

 

[crixus]

Hopefully best choice in current scanerio , common logistics , training facilities already available , total number will defenitely pose credible detterence and with such huge deals we can defenitely engage French in ADA projects for sensor fusion and integration of French origin weapons

 

[Rajendra Chola]

Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant

The Rafale-M fighter will be pushed through an intensive trial to assess whether it is best suited for IAC-1.

www.hindustantimes.com

With countdown already begun to commission indigenous aircraft carrier 1 as INS Vikrant in August 2022, the Indian Navy will conduct flight trials of Rafale-Maritime fighter at Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa on January 6 onwards as part of its exercise to identify the best warplane to suit the 40,000 tonne carrier. The IAC 1 is based at Cochin shipyard and is currently undergoing intensive sea trials in Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

According to officials in knowledge of the matter, the Rafale-M fighter will be pushed through intensive trial at the 283 metre mock-up ski jump facility at INS Hansa for nearly 12 days to assess whether the fighter aircraft is best suited for IAC-1. The Rafale M fighter is the principal weapon system for French Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier and has also shown its inter-operability with US aircraft carriers way back in 2008.

The Indian Navy is also planning to test US F-18 Hornet fighter at the same facility apparently in March as the alternative option to Rafale-M fighter. The Boeing F-18 is a proven carrier based multi-role fighter for the US Navy and has performed strike operations from way back to 1991 Gulf War.

While the Indian Navy operates two squadrons of MiG-29K onboard its sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the Russian aircraft is facing issues of maintenance and spare parts availability.

The DRDO’s LCA-M is still in the development stage with two single engine demonstrator fighters being flight tested from INS Vikramaditya and the Goa based shore based test facility for providing inputs to the final twin engine deck based carrier fighter in future. According to Aeronautical Development Agency, the first flight trial of the indigenous twin engine fighter is expected before 2026 and induction into Indian Navy before 2031.

While the decision on which fighter will spearhead IAC-1 will be based on the flight trials, fact is that Rafale-M is lighter and smaller in airframe to F-18 and packs a bigger punch than its American counterpart in terms of longer range air to air missiles and air to land missiles. Naval Aviation experts also say that it will be require structural modifications to the IAC 1 to fit F-18 into the lift to cart the fighter from hanger to the flight deck above due to its comparatively larger airframe.

As the IAC -1 is expected to commissioned as INS Vikrant on August 15, 2022, the 75th year of Indian independence, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is a strong possibility that the Indian Navy may ask the French manufacturers of the aircraft to lease four to five Rafale -M in 2022 so that the aircraft carrier is made operational. India already has a maintenance cum flight training facility of Rafale at Ambala air base. The Naval aviators will be trained at INS Hansa.

Read another article. Forgot the link. The navy is looking for trainer versions too. Rafale M do not have twin seat trainers. The French Navy uses AF version to train Naval pilots.

That would put the Rafale at an disadvantage. While F18 has both versions, not to mention an Growler version, it's huge and taking to lower decks are going to be an challenge. Not the lifts themselves. But the taxi pathways on the lower decks, maintenance hangars etc. Indian Navy is caught btw an rock and hard place.

The best way should be getting license for Mig29k airframe and use our subsystems for almost everything from FCS to avionics.

 

[Manomed]

better than mig-29K

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1480099107247038464

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1480204388903784448

 

[Gessler]

3rd set of sea trials completed

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1488573238884315136

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1537704027303350272

 

[Gessler]

Fixed-wings are on the deck!

You can also see the Wireframe model of 29K beside the real one - used to study hangar, lift & deck movements to optimize the procedure.

 

[Gessler]

Pics from 4th set of sea trials

 

[Rajendra Chola]

Pics from 4th set of sea trials

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Seems they are still without MF Star. Which means they still don't have Baraks II yet.