Sukhoi to fire 1st BrahMos missile in March: HAL

Bengaluru, Jan 28: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman Dr R K Tyagi confirmed on Wednesday that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will test the first air version of BrahMos missile from the Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI) in March 2015. [OneIndia Exclusive: Tejas has put India on a vibrant technology flightpath, says HAL Chairman Tyagi]

Responding to a query from OneIndia, Tyagi said that HAL has been working on modifying the Sukhoi for the last two years.

"The initial requirement is for two Sukhois and we have almost completed the integration work on the first one. We will be taking up the next one later. The first trial is scheduled for March this year," Tyagi said.

S Subramanyan, Director, MiG Complex, HAL, said that the crucial Ground Vibration Test (GVT) on the first Sukhoi was completed last year. "Everything is on track. We will have a dummy drop first followed by the actual firing," he added.

HAL Board to get restructured by April 1

As part of the government's disinvestment plans (initially 10 per cent) for the Company, the HAL Board will get restructured by April 1, 2015.

"We will soon have a total of 14 Directors (5 full-time from within HAL, 2 government-nominated and 7 independent). One woman Director will also join the ranks as mandated by the rules," HAL's Company Secretary Ashok Tandon said.

On the ongoing efforts of HAL to get its airport reopened for commercial flights again, officials said that the Company will soon write to the Competition Commission. The HAL Board has taken a decision to approach the Commission and the officials expressed hope that they would get a favourable verdict.

LUH facility coming up near Tumakuru

With the support of Karnataka government, HAL is coming out with a massive new facility near Tumakuru for undertaking the manufacturing of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The facility is being built on 600 acres of land and is expected to generate additional jobs. "We have begun the construction of a 16-km boundary wall. We bought the land at Rs 1 lakh per acre and the state government has been proactive in quick allotment," Tyagi said. The first phase is expected to go live within two years.

He said the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) Sitara is expected to get the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) this year. "We hope to have the first flight of the modified IJT within 15 days. Issues related to the spin and stall of the aircraft is being addressed now," HAL's Director Design Swarna Raju said.

To a specific query on HAL's in-house basic trainer aircraft (BTA HTT-40) project, Raju said that the metal cutting has been completed. "The structure is getting ready. We hope to have the first flight by mid of 2015," Raju added.

Tejas crosses another milestone

Fighter aircraft Tejas on Wednesday crossed a critical milestone while undergoing cold weather trials in Ladakh.

"We successfully conducted there consecutive start-ups of Tejas engine after overnight soak in extreme cold (around -15ºC) conditions without any external assistance. Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme condition without any external assistance or heating is a technology challenge," DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta said.

Aeronautical Development Agency Director P S Subramanyam was quoted by a Ministry of Defence release as saying: "The team LCA has achieved a technological breakthrough."

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