Indigenous companies to go full throttle. Kanpur-based MKU is showcasing its armouring solutions at the five-day aerospace exhibition.
With
the Make in India initiative
on everyone’s mind, Aero India 2017 will be showcasing both Indian and
international new technologies, including ultra light armour protection for
helicopters, 3D printing for parts, nano technology, smart materials, AESA
radar, infrared seeker and sensor technology, engines, and rotors. Around 270
Indian companies and 279 foreign companies are expected to participate in the
premium aerospace and aviation exhibition, which starts on February 14.
Kanpur-based MKU Pvt Ltd is one of the Indian companies
showcasing its cutting edge technology for mission critical modular protection
for helicopters. Of all the factors that affect the performance of a
helicopter, weight is the most important one, followed by lift, thrust and
drag. MKU’s 6th Generation Polyshield V6 armouring technology uses advanced
composite materials and techniques that reduce the weight of armour for
aircraft and helicopters by approximately 40% compared to standard armouring
solutions.
“Keeping the multi role operations and survivability of utility
and assault helicopters in consideration, the company designs helicopter armour
kits using the proprietary ‘Modular Schutz Technik’, which uses precision
engineered composite armour panels along with patented aero-grade attachment
systems,” said Neeraj Gupta, managing director, MKU. “These kits are installed
in the existing structure of the helicopter, and do not require any structural
changes or tampering with the aerodynamics of the helicopter. Hence,
re-certification of the aircraft for airworthiness does not become an
obligation.”
Given
that aircraft and helicopters are big machines, they are prone to terminal
attacks through armed fire from militants or enemy forces. The belly of the
helicopter or aircraft, cockpit and the engine are most susceptible to attacks.
Therefore, aircraft armouring solutions have been crucially important to
decrease the susceptibility of the fixed wing and rotary aircrafts and their
crew. Without the necessary protection, they can become flying death-traps, making
armour protection an absolute necessity. Armour shield can protect against
large-caliber anti-aircraft fire or armour piercing ammunitions typically with
a great weight penalty, which affects the performance and load carrying
capacity of the aircraft, among other things.
“We can armour any helicopter for the Indian Armed Forces as
well as paramilitary forces, as we have done almost 20 different types of
helicopters worldwide including MI-8/17; Lockheed C-130; Pilatus PC-6 Turbo
Porter; Boeing CH-47; Eurocopter BO-105; Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk, UH60,UH
60M,” says Gupta. The Indian Air Force and BSF have evinced interest in this
technology for their aircraft. Besides MKU, there are three major
companies in the world that offer this technology including TenCate from
Netherlands and Plasan Sasa from Israel.
At the Aero-India 2017, the UK based Rolls Royce is showing
Advanced Military Fan Concept—a full scale model of military fan for a 5th
generation fighter aircraft engine. This concept is designed to improve core
efficiency while minimising installation effects. France’s Thales will
demonstrate its mastery of advanced technology and industrial prowess by
displaying a wide range of its cutting-edge products. It will provide insights
into rocket systems, underwater systems (sonars), surveillance and fire control
radars, surface warfare systems (missiles), among others.
US firm Textron Systems will display a full-size Aerosonde Small Unmanned
Aircraft System, as well as models of the Shadow v2 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft
System (TUAS), Shadow M2, and models of Textron Systems’ precision-guided
munitions.
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