Fluctuating fortunes in 2011

BANGALORE: Defence and aerospace units in the state had a mixed bag of fortunes in the year 2011. Lets’ take a close look at the runway hits ‘n’ misses, limiting the radar range to the state.DRDO: The Year 2011 started with a bang when the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was baptised on January 10, signaling its entry into the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) phase. But, the Indian Air Force (IAF) spoiled the party saying that they wanted a better fighter. The year saw the DRDO announcing a test range in Chitradurga, with Tejas performing fire-works later. The maiden flight of Rustom-1, low-altitude test of Lakshya-2, engine test-run of LCA naval version, advancements in the early warning EMB-145 plane, army trials of weapon-locating radar, tele-medicine project for soldiers, advanced ready-to-eat food kits were among inspiring contributions by the DRDO units in the state. However, the promised maiden flight of LCA naval version and the user trial version of Tejas (LSP-7 and 8) missed the 2011 bus.NAL: The National Aerospace Laboratories saw its advanced technologies getting onboard Tejas, including control law development, air-data algorithms and in-flight validation of aerodynamics. The third Hansa-3 trainer was handed over to Amritsar Aviation Club, setting up of a new acoustic test facility and a new contract to supply 20 sets of 13 most-difficult carbon composite components for Tejas series production, additional budget for Saras, acceptance of Dhristi visibility measuring system for airports and submission of the feasibility study of a new aircraft programme were some of the high-points.HAL: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited saw a year with man-made disasters hitting the headlines than its flying machines. Five Mk-III versions of Dhruvs were handed over to the Army Aviation in February and the second technology demonstrator of Light Combat Helicopter flew in June. The first batch of new military utility variant of ALH (Mk.III) with Shakti engine was delivered to the IAF and the Army and the design for the Light Utility Helicopter was also finalised. On the people front, if HAL saw one director running away last year, this year one director was asked to leave and another committed suicide. Amidst, all the mess, the faithful workforce of HAL stayed as a unit, praying that the  uncertainties among the top management will clear soon. BEML: Bharat Earth Movers Ltd completed the delivery of entire fleet of 788 Tatra 8x8 and 6x6 vehicles to MoD and also delivered Tatra 12x12 vehicles to BrahMos - the most complicated assignment. The company completed the design and development of armoured recovery and repair a vehicle for Arjun tank. A new aerospace manufacturing unit was set up in Mysore and the process for developing new facilities at the Aerospace SEZ in  Devanahalli too got momentum. BEL: The first Squadron of Akash Missile System got well oiled at Bharat Electronics Ltd. The Bangalore Complex developed an all-weather coastal surveillance system and the contract for its installation has been bagged. An advanced hull-mounted sonar and mobile communication terminal too saw the light. Teams were set up to work on advanced battlefield systems and around 5.4 lakh  tablet PCs were delivered for census purpose. MoD: The eighth edition of Aero-India 2011 at Yelahanka saw exhibitors from 45 countries, over 100 aircraft, aerospace merchandise and world’s best defence technology. Around 2 lakh visitors checked in with the display area growing by 11 fold. However, the incidentfree show was marred by an aircraft parking scam.ISRO: Five satellites- Resourcesat-2, YOUTHSAT, GSAT-8, GSAT-12 and Indo French Joint Satellite Mission Megha Tropiques launched by Indian Space Research Organisation were fabricated at its satellite centre in Bangalore. Telemetry, tracking and command (TTC) support for Resourcesat-2 and Megha Tropiques was provided by ISRO telemetry, tracking and command network, while the initial phase orbit-raising manoeuvres and TTC support for GSAT-8 and GSAT-12 were provided by Master Control Facility at Hassan. The data from the Megha-Tropiques satellite is being received at Indian Space Science Data Centre at ISTRAC and is providing valuable inputs to global weather scientists.