Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully carried out the maiden flight of avionics upgraded Jaguar aircraft “Darin III” here today. “This is significant moment for HAL as the upgrade will result in major operational improvement with regard to all weather air to ground, air to sea and air to air capabilities through incorporation of multimode radar”, says Dr. R. K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL.
Darin III upgrade, with re-engining and change-over to higher capacity alternators can make Jaguar one of the most potent aircraft in the arsenal of IAF with an extended life-span.
The total design from system requirement capture, specification preparation, software, hardware, electrical, mechanical design and development has been done indigenously by HAL at its Mission & Combat System Research & Design Centre (MCSRDC) and aircraft trial modification is done by HAL’s Overhaul Division. The fleet compliance will also be carried out by HAL.
SDI of IAF is the design partner for display software development and Aircraft System Testing Establishment (ASTE) under the leadership of Air Vice Marshal Raghunath Nambiar takes care of system specification preparation, data analysis and flight testing along with Flight Test Centre of HAL.
The upgrade incorporates new state-of-the-art avionics architecture including Mission Computer (MC), Engine and Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS), Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and additional functions in inertial global positioning system (INGPS), autopilot, radar and RWR.
The upgrade covers modern navigation, EW and weapon delivery system with INGPS using primary and reversionary modes, state-of-the –art, man-machine interface (near glass cockpit) with two smart multifunction display and head-up display.
