Bangalore: Aircraft engine maker, Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp company, plans to step up sourcing of components from India. The company is currently working with 16 Indian engine parts suppliers.
Pratt & Whitney is also holding discussions with five Indian companies to form joint ventures for manufacturing engine parts in India. One of these joint ventures could be announced sometime next week, said Vivek Saxena, country manager, Pratt & Whitney.
The company plans to double the headcount at it’s sourcing office in Bangalore to about 80 people in three years. It’s local sourcing of components and engineering services will increase 10-fold by 2014, to around $150-200 million a year from the current $15 million.
Pratt & Whitney is also exploring partnership opportunities with L&T, the Tata Group and other companies. The company is working with it’s suppliers in India to bring them up to the required quality standards.
Boeing Company and the Indian Air Force reached preliminary agreement on the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft, and are now in the process of finalizing the details of the sale. The preliminary agreement represents the purchase of approximately 45 engines for Pratt & Whitney.
09/02/11 Anand, James/Machinist
Archive for February, 2011
Pratt & Whitney to step up component sourcing and form 5 manufacturing JVs
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Engine, Pratt & Whitney, US
Eurocopter Brings the AS550 C3 Fennec Helicopter to Aero India
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: AS550 C3 Fennec helicopter, Eurocopter, Europe
Eurocopter’s AS550 C3 Fennec helicopter will make its Indian public debut at this month’s Aero India 2011 exhibition in Bangalore, showcasing the candidate for India’s acquisition of new rotary-wing aircraft in reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
The AS550 C3 Fennec recently completed field trials with full mission equipment for the Indian Armed Forces’ reconnaissance and surveillance applications, demonstrating its capabilities as the successor to the country’s existing fleet of Indian-produced Cheetah and Chetak helicopters – both which are based on Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft.
“We are very happy with the Fennec’s performance during the recent trials, and are confident it is the ideal proposition as the rightful successor to the Cheetah and Chetak,†explained Rainer Farid, the Eurocopter Vice President of Sales for South Asia. “By participating in the key competitive tenders with our best products, we hope to continue to support India in acquiring the right mission equipment and developing a strengthened aerospace industry.†The military-certified and combat-proven AS550 C3 Fennec has exceptional performance at high altitudes and in hot weather conditions. In addition to operating in Chile’s Andes Mountains at altitudes over 5,000 meters, Fennec helicopters have landed on Mount Everest and the Sziachin glacier in the Himalayas. Last month, a Royal Malaysian Navy Fennec assisted in the rescue of a hijacked Malaysian chemical tanker and its crew, firing on the Somali pirates’ mother ship to keep it at bay.
08/02/11 Defenseworld.net
Aero India is jewel in Asian crown: US
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: US
Bangalore: The United States (US) will be the largest participant at the Aero Show 2011, with more than 200 official and business delegates.
A high-level delegation led by secretary of commerce Gary Locke and US ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer, will be attending the air show where that country is exhibiting a broad cross-section of military aircraft and equipment through static displays and aerial demonstrations.
“The Aero India is one of the jewels of Asia. The US government’s high-level participation at the Aero India this year is an indication of the growing defence relationship between US and India and a sign of India’s growing prominence on the world stage. Aero India is the most recent manifestation of the increasing significant partnership that includes joint military exercise, regional security initiatives and a flourishing military sales relationship,†Roemer said.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft, Lockheed Martin F-16 Super Viper and Boeing F/1 Super Hornet are among the aircraft which will be participating in the five-day air show starting on Wednesday.
09/02/11 Hemanth CS/Daily News & Analysis
Diehl displays RTA-70 cabin mock-up
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Diehl, Germany, RTA
A potential cabin for the proposed Indian Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) is on display at the show, with Germany’s Diehl Aerospace working with the National Aerospace Laboratories on the project.
The cabin mock-up features two seats, LED lights and standard cabin bins. It was constructed to NAL’s specifications, says David Voskuhl, Diehl’s vice-president communications and public relations. He was unable to provide the specifications for the cabin on display.
“This is a modernised version of a cabin that we did last year for NAL. This is not the finished product, but it is what it could look like if NAL goes ahead with the RTA,” he adds. “This is also the first time that Diehl is doing something for the regional jet market. NAL is giving us the opportunity to put all of our company’s various capabilities, such as interiors, lighting and cabins, into one project like this.”
09/02/11 Siva Govindasamy/Flight Global
Saab to set up R&D centre in India
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Defence, Saab, Sweden
Bangalore: Swedish defence company Saab AB today announced to set up a research and development centre in India and indicated that it is close to finalising a joint-venture with HAL in the field of airborne electronic warfare systems.
Saab’s president Hakan Buskhe said the R&D expected to become operational soon is projected to house up to 300 Indian engineers over the next five years working in the area of design.
The company is yet to finalise the location for the Indian R&D centre and Buskhe said it could come up in multiple places.
“The aim is to transfer already identified concrete programmes (to Indian R&D centre) over time,” he told a press conference here, ahead of the Aero India 2001 air show here.
Company officials also said that Saab is set to announce a joint venture with the Bangalore-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The idea is to “put production and further development in a vehicle (joint venture with HAL) in India where we will produce and deliver to the global market,” said company’s Director, Head of Region Asia Pacific, Group Marketing & Business Development, Jan Widerstrom.
08/02/11 PTI/Economic Times
Cassidian opens defence engineering centre in Bangalore
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Cassidian, Defence, EADS, Europe
Bangalore : With an aim to achieve an edge over its competitors, Cassidian, the defence and security division of European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS), has set up an engineering centre for its military aircraft, defence avionics and homeland security systems in Bangalore to develop products for the Indian market.
EADS already has an Airbus R&D and engineering centre for its civilian aircraft in the city that has been operational for around a year now.
While several companies have been off-shoring engineering work in difference disciplines to India, this is first instance of a foreign company opening its defence-oriented engineering centre in the country.
Stefan Zoller, CEO of Cassidian, said the move had been driven by the growing potential of India’s defence market and its emerging aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
“The engineering centre goes to show our commitment to increase our industrial footprint in this rapidly growing country. It makes complete sense for a nation to develop its own product and export it,†he said.
The centre will be staffed largely by Indian engineers, Zoller said, adding that the company would raise the number of employees at the facility to 200 by the end of 2012 from the current 60.
09/02/11Â Suparna Goswami Bhattacharya/Daily News & Analysis
Aero India 2011 takes off on flying note
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: General
Bangalore: India’s biggest air show Aero India 2011 began on a bright sunny on Wednesday in this aerospace hub with a spectacular fly-past and breathtaking aerobatic formations by the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet of aircraft and helicopters. Defence Minister AK Antony declared open the eighth edition of the biennial aerospace and aviation trade expo at the IAF base in Yelahanka on the city’s outskirts in the presence of 40 foreign delegations, dignitaries, officials and top executives of global aerospace majors.
Organised by the defence ministry in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the five-day event is the largest ever being held in South Asia.
09/02/11 Indo-Asian News Service/Hindustan Times
All eyes on Bangalore skies today
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: General
Bangalore: Union Defence Minister A K Antony will formally inaugurate the Aero India 2011 at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka on Wednesday.
Touted as the biggest event in Asia, the present day version of Aero India began as a modest display of a few aviation assets as AviaIndia in 1993. The biennial air show, renamed AeroIndia since 1998, and has become bigger and more popular that must rank among one of the largest attended air shows in the world.
But this was a reputation that the organizers of the show had to build over the years. Discounting AviaIndia 1993, the growth in Aero India Show since 1998 to 2005 was marginal. It began showing a quantum increase in the gross exhibition area only from the 2007 edition. During the early years, the space ranged between the 7,00018,000 sq mts mark from 1998 to 2005. But it grew sharply to 30,000 sq mts in 2007 and 44,000 sq mts in 2009. Added to this the organisers are living up to the theme of the show that this is truly a global event as there are over 380 organisations that will be participating in this event.
09/02/11 ExpressBuzz
angalore: Air shows in this country have traditionally been more Russian than Indian, the skies crowded with the Indian Air Force’s fleet of Sukhoi and MiG fighters, Mil helicopters, and Antonov and Ilyushin transport aircraft. But that is changing. Aero India 2011, which will be inaugurated in Bangalore on Wednesday, will showcase a major Indian and American aeronautical presence.
As the first generation of Indian-designed and built fighters, trainers and helicopters nears the end of tortuous development processes, the country’s premier air show will include air displays from the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA); the hitherto unnamed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH); the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) flown by the IAF’s renowned Sarang heli-batics team; and — a surprise inclusion — an aerobatics display by the Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT).
America’s growing share of India’s aircraft market will be evident from the presence of the IAF’s recently delivered C-130J Super Hercules, the first of a billion-dollar order of six of these transport aircraft. Also participating will be the KC-135 Stratotanker refueller, and the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter. New Delhi is processing a $4-billion purchase of 10 Globemasters with the US government. Rounding off the US presence will be the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-16IN Super Viper, both of which are competing for India’s $10-billion tender for medium fighters.
09/02/11 Ajai Shukla/Business Standard
Air show to see footfalls double this year
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: General
Bangalore: What began as Avia-India, a modest display of a few aviation assets in 1993, is now set to be a chartbuster in its modern, sleek avatar. The biennial air show, the biggest in Asia, was renamed Aero India in 1998, and has only become better and popular. It’s among one of the best-attended air shows around the world.
According to statistics given by the organizers – the Department of Defence Production ( DDP) under the ministry of defence – the online request for registration of general visitors this year has already exceeded the 1.75-lakh mark, 1 lakh more than the official 75,000 footfalls in 2009. The organizers are expecting the figure to reach 2.75 lakh, with enquiries and requests not showing any signs of abating.
The growth in Aero India since 1998 to 2005 was marginal. It began showing a quantum increase in the gross exhibition area only from the 2007 edition. While it hovered between the 7,000-18,000 sqm mark from 1998 to 2005, it rose sharply to 30,000 sqm in 2007 and 44,000 sqm in 2009. This year, the organizers have increased the gross area to 75,000 sqm, a significant 70% increase over 2009.
This edition, there are 675 exhibitors, registering a 16% increase over the last edition, that had 581 in all. As with all previous editions, this time around too, international exhibitors score over domestic ones in terms of participation. In 2009, the gap was marginal, 303 against 289. This time, the figure is 380 and 295, a growth of 25% for international exhibitors, against a mere five for domestic exhibitors.
With 30 countries set to participate this year, including India, official representation from 60 countries number 350, a three-fold plus increase in the number of delegates, both official and business, with USA leading with 250, Germany 35, Italy 10, and 35 from remaining countries.
Defence minister A K Antony will formally inaugurate Aero India 2011 today, at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka.
09/02/11 Prashanth G N/Times of India
Desi aircraft lead Bengaluru show
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: General
Bengaluru: All eyes are on the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru as the world’s biggest military aircraft makers put on show their magnificent machines for the Aero India show over the next five days, hoping to swing some big deals from India as the country prepares to spend billions of dollars on defence purchases over the next decade.
Amidst spectacular air displays, twice each day, event organisers — the ministry of defence and the CII — are expecting a number of partnerships to materialise, as India’s private companies enter defence business.
The US is leading the charge of participating nations, pressing ahead with some 250 officials and business delegates as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the world’s two largest military equipment companies vie for the $10 billion medium combat jet deal from India.
India will put on display its first indigenous fighter jet, Tejas, its first combat helicopters the LCH and the Dhruv, its first unmanned aerial vehicles.
09/02/11 Deccan Chronicle
Aero India: Karnataka sets $100 billion investment target over next decade
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Investment, Karnataka
Bangalore: Seeking to take advantage of the Aero India event, Karnataka has set a target of attracting $100 billion investments in the aviation sector in the coming 10 years.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and state’s chief secretary SV Ranganath during a meeting with delegates of US India Business Council (USIBC) held here on the eve of Aero India show said business environment was conducive in Bangalore and the government plans to attract over $100 billion in next 10 years.
The state government has set up an aerospace park near Bengaluru International Airport, Yeddyurappa told the delegation.
“The city is already recognised as aerospace hub of the country and has more than 65% of the country’s investment in the sector here. Besides big presence of public sector enterprises, many international private players have invested in aerospace sector in the state,” Ranganath said.
He said a study conducted by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries has brought out the fact that 90 per cent of the investors have expressed that they would like to reinvest in the state.
08/02/11 PTI/Daily News & Analysis
Aero India 2011: Visual treat in store
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: General
ndia’s air show in Bangalore will be the largest ever with 29 countries bringing their aerospace products, including fighter jets and transport aircraft, for showcasing at the five-day event which begins February 9, 2011.
The biennial AeroIndia-2011 will for the first time witness the civil aviation sector overtaking military aviation. The air show will see 54 percent of the aircraft, helicopters and aerospace systems from the civilian sector compared to 46 percent from the military sector.
To be held at the Yelahanka air force station, this year’s show has been oversubscribed in terms of exhibition space and the Defence Exhibition Organisation has had to refuse further bookings.
09/02/11 msn.com
HAL to showcase indigenous military aircraft prowess
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Defence, HAL, Tejas
howcasing its indigenous manufacturing prowess, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will unveil its under-development Light Utility Helicopter and the Light Combat Helicopter at the Aero India show starting here tomorrow.
“For the first time, we will show our Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which is being developed to replace the Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet of the Indian air Force and the Army along with the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH),†HAL officials said here.
The three-tonne helicopter is being put in the HAL pavilion for static display, they said.
Once developed, the helicopter would be able to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions along with playing search and rescue roles.
The LCH, the officials said, would also take part in the flying displays and would be placed at the tarmac for static display, they said.
08/02/11 PTI/The Hindu
Hawker Beechcraft to Display Jets, King Air 350i at Aero India 2011
Published February 9, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Hawker Beechcraft, US
Wichita: Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) will feature its flagship business jet, the Hawker 4000, along with a Hawker 900XP and a King Air 350i at Aero India 2011 from Feb. 9-13 at Air Force Station Yelahanka (VOYK) in Bengaluru, India. HBC, along with its regional distributor InterGlobe General Aviation, will participate in the biennial event organized by the Government of India’s Defence Exhibition Organisation in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
“Hawker Beechcraft has a long history of selling products into India,†said Dan Keady, HBC vice president, South Asia. “The King Air has been and remains a very good fit for this market. Its great reliability, durability and versatility make it especially well-suited for operations in both the highly developed urban locations of the country and in areas with undeveloped air strips. India’s increasingly important role as a global center for high-tech enterprises also makes it a logical and expanding market for Hawker Beechcraft family of business jets.â€
In 2010, HBC certified the Hawker 4000, King Air 350i and C90GTx in India. Due to the expected growth in the region and to better serve its customers, HBC recently appointed Todd Hattaway as Regional Sales Director. He is co-located with HBC’s Field Service Representative Hugh Waud in New Delhi. Further, HBC will open a bonded warehouse in the country and place an additional Field Service Representative in the region in order to meet customer needs.
07/02/11 AMT Online
Aero India 2011: Aerobatic display by fighter jets, copters to be major attraction
Published February 8, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Aerobatics, General
Bangalore: Aero India 2011, Asia’s biggest air show, which gets underway at the Yelahanka Air Force base near Bangalore from February 9, will be the largest ever with 29 countries bringing their aerospace products, including fighter jets and transport aircraft.
This year’s show has been oversubscribed in terms of exhibition space and the Defence Exhibition Organisation has had to refuse further bookings.
The flying displays will see some of the latest fighter planes, including Eurofighter Typhoons, Sweden’s Gripen, the French Dassault Rafael , Boeing’s F-16 Super Viper and Lockheed Martin’s F-18 Super Hornet, besid besides unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.
India will display its indigenously built supersonic light combat aircraft and light combat helicopter, which will be on the display for the first time.
Apart from the daily displays by IAF’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team and Sarang helicopter display team, a major attraction at Aero India 2011, will be the debut by Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team at the air show. With its precise and impressive performances, the team has managed to secure a fixed place in the global aerobatics scene and has an outstanding international reputation.
The show will aim at bringing under one roof, exhibitors and other stakeholders from all around the globe to showcase the best in aviation and related technologies and products.
08/02/11 ANI/Economic Times
Mahindra Aerospace makes debut appearance at Aero India 2011
Published February 8, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Mahindra Aerospace
Mahindra Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (MAPL), a part of the $ US 7.1 billion Mahindra Group, made its debut at Aero India 2011, Asia’s premier Air Show, which is being held at the Yelahanka Air Force Base in Bangalore from February 9 to 13, 2011.
The centrepiece of the MAPL stall is the recently launched GA8 TC-320 Airvan which has been designed and built by GippsAero, an Australian company acquired by Mahindra in 2009.
“We are extremely proud to participate in Aero India for the very first time and showcase the GA8 TC-320 Airvan for aviation companies from across the globe. It has generated a great deal of interest amongst visitors and potential buyers who have been impressed by its reliable operations platform and low maintenance cost. In fact, it was flown from Australia to Bangalore for the Show, a clear validation of its strength and ruggedness,†said Mr. Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace Private Limited.
The Airvan is a unique 8-seat multi-role aircraft that can readily be converted to carry freight or passengers. Its global clientele find the aircraft ideal for a variety of operations including humanitarian relief, charter, tourism, medevac, aerosports (parajumping), surveillance, freight, and training.
With robust metallic construction and powered by the reliable Lycoming family of engines, the Airvan is available in either normally-aspirated or turbocharged variants. Both models offer unbeatable costs per seat-mile, ensuring an economical, low maintenance and reliable operations platform.
08/02/11 India Infoline
Flying Bulls to perform exciting aerobatic stunts at Aero India 2011
Published February 8, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Aerobatics, General
The Czech Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team, which will perform at the Aero India 2011 with their fleet of four Zlin 50 LXes. The Flying Bulls’ 17-minute performance will include the box formation and the mirror flight.
The “acrobats of the air†from the Czech Republic are here to make their debut at the Aero India 2011. The Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team, consisting of civilian pilots Radka Machova, Jiri Saller, Jirà Veprek and Miroslav Krejci, has together logged more than 35,000 flying hours. Leading the team is 62-year-old Ms. Machova, who has been flying since 1971 and is the newest member of the team. Experience is something this team swears by, and they wear the average age of the team, which is 50, proudly on their sleeves.
The team was formed way back in 1960 but only one member of that team is still part of it. The present team came together in 1993 and was rechristened after 2000 with the start of their association with Red Bull. The Flying Bulls will perform at the Aero India 2011 with their fleet of four Zlin 50 LXes. The Czech-built Zlin 50 LX is known to be safe for the exciting formations that are made with it as it is manufactured as an aerobatic plane. The plane is preferred for its spacious cabin that facilitates eye contact with the other aircraft during formations as well as the ease to manoeuvre it even at a low speed. The aircraft can go at a speed of 270 kilometres per hour and reach up to 330 kilometres while diving.
08/02/11 My Bangalore
