IAF fighter aircraft to be equipped with special gadgets

New Delhi, Apr 9 (PTI) Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter
aircraft would soon be equipped with special gadgets that will
enable production of oxygen in the air, a step that will allow
the pilots to be airborne for longer period, marking India's
entry into the elite club of forces.
Developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), the On Board Oxygen Generation System
(OBOGS) produces oxygen inside the aircraft, allowing the
pilots to fly without the help of heavy oxygen cylinders they
carry for high altitudes and long duration sorties.
"Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has started the
ground integration process of OBOGS in the Technology
Demonstrator (TD) version of the LCA Mark-II. After LCA it
will be integrated in all the frontline aircrafts of the IAF,"
W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller, Life Science, DRDO, told PTI
here.
LCA Mark-II is expected to join the IAF by 2015. DRDO
has approved Larsen and Toubro (L&T) as the industrial partner
in further development of the technology and its production.
So far only three countries- United States, Russia
and France- have successfully integrated the OBOGS technology
in its air force.
"It will be a significant force multiplier for IAF
focused at enhancing pilots ability to remain airborne. With
on-board oxygen generation capability pilots would not be
required to land to refill their oxygen supply," Selvamurthy
said.
Based on a sieve-like structure and fitted into the
main frame of the aircraft, OBOGS concentrates the oxygen
available in the atmosphere and removes nitrogen content from
it.
After successfully developing the two-bed OBOGS, DRDO
has started working on the three-bed system, which would make
India the first country to possess its most advanced version.
"We plan to prepare our aircraft for non-stop
intercontinental sorties. Once developed the three-bed system
would be integrated on all the frontline fighters of the IAF.
It would also enable the aircraft to carry extra payload,"
Selvamurthy said.
After acquiring other force multipliers like mid-air
refuellers and early warning radars which give an extra edge
to the fighter planes, IAF is looking at state-of-the-art
technology to aid the pilots and DRDO has chalked out a number
of project for the purpose.