|
|
The MIG27 affair - Fighter Pilots reveal what the `defence analysts` forgot to tell
Full News Article
SAS1
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 192
Member Profile
|
 21 Aug 2007 07:58:42 GMT Report for Abuse
|
(SLAF was probably 'pushing' for the Mig-29 .. using the 'threat' from the LTTE 'air-wing', as justification. But it was a 'hollow' argument .. and was seen for what it was ..).
Surely the SLAF would have done a proper technical evaluation of various number of aircrafts before selecting the Mig-29SM, which would have come out as the 'winner' before pushing for it? |
DrJones
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 80
Member Profile
|
 21 Aug 2007 11:42:26 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| Lankathillaka - Good idea to build fighter aircraft in SL. But we would not even manage to build a good-quality motor car until only 2 or 3 years ago. Even that I don't know how commercially viable. |
SenaM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1625
Member Profile
|
 21 Aug 2007 13:59:20 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Lankathilaka
Dr Jones
Lankathillaka - Good idea to build fighter aircraft in SL .. but
It may be possible to make a start .. as we 'move up', industrially ..
Firstly, we must develop our 'airframe' repair capability .. the current facility for this type work could be expanded to undertake such work as we now 'send out' to Pakistan AF, or Jordanian Airlines .. like refurbish/overhaul of F-7s, or C-130 Check 4s. In fact we should think of developing our capability to such level, so that we can attract 'work' from other near-by air forces say in the middle-east, and closer home .. like the Bangladesh AF. Get involved in civilian aircraft repair, scheduled inspections .. as well, and offer our services a-broad. (To be able to do this, we'd have to conform to licensing requirements as laid down by International regulatory bodies).
As scope and capability of our airframe repair/build capability 'mounts' .. there will come a time when 'going that step further' as for building a fairly simple, rugged aircraft .. let's say for a 'dual role' like agricultural use (crop dusting), and with some modifications for use in a COIN type role, becomes 'natural'.
There was an aircraft like this which was in production a few years ago in New Zealand .. called the 'Fletcher FD-25, the COIN version. It started 'life' as an agricultural a'cft .. later it was fitted out with a PT-6 turbo-prop engine, guns, and 'hard-points' (for bombs) .. in fact it looked quite promising, even for deployment in Sri Lanka .. in the current context.
Depends very much on the 'focus' key people have .. on what we should do with our potential/capability.
Edited By - SenaM - 21 Aug 2007 14:58:03 GMT |
rswkv
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 852
Member Profile
|
 21 Aug 2007 14:11:49 GMT Report for Abuse
|
SeanM,
Sir, Encouraging thoughts. But all depend on the correct political leadership. Do we have that? |
KURAL
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5530
Member Profile
|
 21 Aug 2007 14:19:16 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Senam,
You have good dreams. But until the national problem will not be resolved don't wait for miracles..As your dreams depend of the country situation and growth..
|
SAS1
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 192
Member Profile
|
21 Aug 2007 15:00:28 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Fighter aircrafts are definitely few decades out of reach for Sri Lanka. It will need a huge amount of investment, and would probably have to buy design rights to an existing aircraft to start off with. Like what the Chinese did with the Mig-21. Even with that we don't have the experience to model high speed aerodynamics and flight dynamics. And designing and manufacturing a gas turbine engine is definitly out of the question.
But I'm sure we have the ability to design and manufacture UAVs or properller driven aircrafts. |
KURAL
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5530
Member Profile
|
21 Aug 2007 15:09:17 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Sas,
There is nothing impossible. One good engineer can concept solely a turbine engine.
But the country situation cannot permit it as the young generation are sacrified for politician's butchery. |
SenaM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1625
Member Profile
|
21 Aug 2007 15:44:04 GMT Report for Abuse
|
SAS1
Surely the SLAF would have done a proper technical evaluation of various number of aircrafts before selecting the Mig-29SM
My guess is that SLAF had 'focused' on the Mig-29 .. possibly because they wished to go 'one' step up from where they are currently (up from Mig-27/Kfir C7 level). So many to choose from .. so, why the Mig-29 ? Although it may not be very convincing .. I would say 'because the IAF has it .. Our pilots have seen it, and seen it fly .. and have acquired a sort of 'fixation' .. would be 'wonderful' to have it in the SLAF'. And then it became possible to connect this latent 'wish' with the current requirement for an a'cft with suitable radar .. as for 'locating' and destroying the 'little pest' (LTTE night-raider a'cft). The Mig-29SM has a sophisticated look-down radar, and a missile guidance system .. and could be argued, 'can make 'short-work' of the LTTE a'cft'.
It may sound plausible .. but it still an 'argument' only. As far as I am aware, those countries which have faced this type of threat (and much worse, for that matter), have not considered a sophisiticated aircraft like the Mig-29SM against a 'threat' from a low-performance (slow) a'cft flying low-level at night time ..
Feel sure Sec Def would have consulted other expertise .. possibly in India (in fact they took notice of the LTTE threat to the Indian Nuclear Power Generation complex in Kudankulam, in near-by Tamil-nadu State). Their 'solution' was - a) Adequate Warning .. to prime Air Defense Units to 'action stations' - b) Deployment of suitable anti-aircraft missile batteries, and associated (short range) radars .. as for 'pointing', and engaging the 'threat' aircraft. Thorough-going professional soldier that he is .. Sec Def probably double-checked with another consultant (possibly US, Chinese or Israeli), and made-up his mind.
My guess is that the 'system' that is installed currently in SL is 'conventional', and 'proven' (what has been deployed else-where .. in other countries .. to meet similar contingencies).
So, let's wait and see whether the LTTE 'goose' comes out again .. and goes down as 'roast'.
Edited By - SenaM - 21 Aug 2007 15:52:56 GMT |
SenaM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1625
Member Profile
|
21 Aug 2007 18:39:24 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Kural
One good engineer can concept solely a turbine engine
It is not quite like that .. the focus, interest .. the resources which are committed .. have great deal to do with the success or failure of a program. (It may sound obvious .. however, no harm in repeating it).
Am aware for instance the 'Kaveri' Engine Project of India .. engine program which has been in a 'gestatory' stage for nearly 30 years .. is yet to deliver a 'production' standard engine for their Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Program.
It is not that India lacks 'good' (capable) engineers .. they have plenty of first rate people. What has been happening is that the best of them soon realise .. 'this is a paper exercise', a sinecure for the 'old hands' .. who do not wish to see an end product delivered' .. and they leave. They'd go to Pratt & Whitney, or General Electric in the US, and do 'good' work .. build first rate engines.
For any program to succeed, I would say .. the people at the 'top' (those in charge), must have that 'burning desire' to see it completed .. in all its aspects. (If the plan was to 'build' a top ranking product .. then reaching those quality goals are equally important).
|
SAS1
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 192
Member Profile
|
21 Aug 2007 21:58:17 GMT Report for Abuse
|
There is nothing impossible. One good engineer can concept solely a turbine engine.
Karul, trust me designing a jet engine is not as easy as it sounds. Ok, all you have to do is design a fan, compressor, combustion chamber and a turbine. But it requires knowledge learnt through years of experience to build a good one that has the performance and reliability to be used in an aircraft. And even if you can design it sucessfully, manufacturing the components are equally as difficult. Titanium and Nickle Alloys aren't the easiest metals to machine. Plus the combustor and tubine components needs to be durable running at temperatures over 2000 degrees. Thats why there are only three companies in the civil aerospace market that can competetively build a complete engine, RR, GE and PW. |
|
Search All News and Discussions