Global aviation majors slug it out for $10-billion deal
Lockheed, which completed the first phase of field trials, started phase two of trials on Monday as part of a month-long process, which includes pilot familiarisation.
By Peerzada Abrar, ET Bureau |
BANGALORE: Bangalore has become the battleground for over $10 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contract, as global aviation majors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, EADS, D'Assault , SAAB and Russia's MiG-35 entered the next phase of technical evaluation being conducted by the officials of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
"IAF will see strike power, accuracy , operation of weapon system, how the airplane maneuvers at 360-degree and how easily can it be maintained. IAF needs additional weapons to be integrated with the aircraft" , said a person familiar with the parameters required by IAF.
Lockheed, which completed the first phase of field trials, started phase two of trials on Monday as part of a month-long process, which includes pilot familiarisation.
The weapons systems trials will take place during January 2010 in US. The competing jets will be put to go through humid conditions of South India (Bangalore ), deserts of Rajasthan (Jaisalmer) and icy Himalayan heights (Leh).
Despite sophisticated technical control systems in these combat aircraft, manual control continues to be a significant factor. "The ability for human brains to make decisions based on emotions has not been developed yet," said Jeffrey A Paulk who is a pilot with Lockheed Martin.
"IAF will see strike power, accuracy , operation of weapon system, how the airplane maneuvers at 360-degree and how easily can it be maintained. IAF needs additional weapons to be integrated with the aircraft" , said a person familiar with the parameters required by IAF.
Lockheed, which completed the first phase of field trials, started phase two of trials on Monday as part of a month-long process, which includes pilot familiarisation.
The weapons systems trials will take place during January 2010 in US. The competing jets will be put to go through humid conditions of South India (Bangalore ), deserts of Rajasthan (Jaisalmer) and icy Himalayan heights (Leh).
Despite sophisticated technical control systems in these combat aircraft, manual control continues to be a significant factor. "The ability for human brains to make decisions based on emotions has not been developed yet," said Jeffrey A Paulk who is a pilot with Lockheed Martin.
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