IAF transport aircraft to get satellite tracking system

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

With the aviation sector worldwide switching over to a new generation, highly accurate aircraft positioning and tracking system, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is also modifying some of its transport aircraft with the new navigational aid.

The new equipment, called the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), is a satellite-based system that replaces the current ground-based secondary surveillance radar network. Some countries have already made ADS-B capability mandatory in aircraft now being registered in or operating within their airspace.

A senior Air Force officer said initially the IAF’s fleet of 12 C-130 Super Hercules would be upgraded with the additional avionics package. Besides retrofitting the hardware, processors and antennae, the work would also be to integrate the ADS-B with the aircraft’s existing navigation suite and mission computer.

ADS-B transponder broadcasts the precise position and location information of an aircraft in real time, giving air traffic control, better visibility to track and manage aircraft while enhancing aviation safety by providing aircrew more situational awareness of nearby aircraft.

The IAF’s transport aircraft often fly overseas for various purposes, including humanitarian aid, joint exercises, support of UN peace missions, military diplomacy and logistics tasks. ADS-B will enable the IAF flights to shorten routes, reduce minimum separation distances, reduce fuel-burn and cut emissions. This in turn will save time and money while granting access to safety indications and alerts on ground.