ASTE readying military planes for using Isro's navigation satellite system

The Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) is in the process of integrating ‘systems’ into military aircraft that will use the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

Speaking at a press conference to announce the 84th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force on Tuesday, Air Vice Marshal and Commandant, ASTE, Sandeep Singh, said: “A navigation system like the IRNSS is a necessity for both the civilian and military use. All the three services and particularly the Air Force are in the process of integrating this in the aircraft.”

Further, he said that the high accuracy IRNSS will be a navigation system, which the country will use. With the use of the IRNSS, India will no longer have to rely on global positioning satellite system of the US.

The IRNSS is a constellation of seven satellites that will provide position information service to Indian users. Besides terrestrial, aerial and naval navigation, it will have varied uses in areas such as disaster management, vehicle tracking, and fleet management, once functional.

Further, Singh also highlighted that the multi-purpose civilian aircraft project, the NAL Saras that had been shelved, would soon be revived. He said that a meeting on the matter had been called. When asked  whether there would be a total overhaul of the project or start from where it was left, Singh said that both approaches would be viewed. Further, Singh also highlighted the participation of the LCA Tejas (series production 1 or SP1 and SP2) that were tested at the ASTE on the Air Force Day celebrations on October 8 at Hindan in UP.

Also, the there are preparations to integrate the Brahmos with the Sukhoi-30. “The initial separation trial is on and it will be hopefully inducted into the IAF very soon,” he said. The ongoing trials of integration weaponry include the integration of the ASTRA BVR  on the Sukhoi-30, the sensor based anti-tank weapon on the Jaguar, and the integration of the Spice 2000 ASM on the Mirage-2000.