Hyderabad Aerospace & Aero Park Updates

[ygvjs2000]

In India, Billionaires Are Buying Helicopters To Avoid Nightmarish Traffic

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/india...#ixzz1pcXgNthf
First, it was submarines.
Now India's richest are buying helicopters to save time during travel and to bypass the country's hazardous roads.
They may never have to set foot in the streets again.
Robert Franks writes in The Wall Street Journal that India is home to over 50 billionaires, and more are expected to join the ranks.
To accommodate the growing demand for helicopters—which can cost $1.5 million to $15 million each, according to Frank—a new helicopter factory is being built in Hyderabad.
And orders for the choppers are rising 12 percent a year.
Now what's needed is safer helipads.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/india...#ixzz1pcXskBqU

[ygvjs2000]

http://twocircles.net/2012mar20/siko...dia_cabin.html
Sikorsky to display chopper with Made in India cabin
Hyderabad : US-based Sikorsky Global Helicopters will display its S-92 Legacy of Heroes (LOH) chopper, whose cabins are built here, across five Indian cities from March 26.

Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp, will mount a static display of the S-92 in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Mumbai, a company statement said Tuesday.

A six-member crew will conduct briefings during the tour to highlight the multi-mission capability of the aircraft, which includes search and rescue (SAR) missions as well as a variety of transportation missions for accessing offshore oil and gas rigs, coastal surveillance, emergency medical transport and VIP transportation.

The global tour of the LOH commenced in the US in September last year. Since then, it has visited Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand.

"The S-92 Legacy of Heroes tour to India has a special significance, as cabins for the S-92 are manufactured in Hyderabad. With India serving as a global manufacturing base for this aircraft, it is a homecoming for the helicopter," said Air Vice Marshal (retd) Arvind Walia, Sikorsky's executive vice president for India and South Asia.

"With their multi-mission capabilities, helicopters will play a significant role in India's continued infrastructure development, especially for offshore oil operations, SAR missions and coastal surveillance," Walia added.

The worldwide fleet of 152 S-92 helicopters has accumulated more than 400,000 flight hours since deliveries began in 2004. The S-92 is the only helicopter to have been certified to FAA/EASA part 29 rigorous airworthiness standards without exception or waiver.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...cility-369564/

Indian Rotorcraft, a joint venture between AgustaWestland and Tata Sons, has broken ground on a new helicopter manufacturing facility next to Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International airport, where the companies will assemble, customise and flight-test helicopters, starting with the eight-seat AW119KE light helicopter from mid-2013.

"The project is integral to our plans in the aerospace sector and we look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland," says Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Sons.

Bruno Spagnolini, chief executive of AgustaWestland, says the facility will not only build helicopters for the Indian market, but also supply them to AgustaWestland's customers worldwide.



Work will start on the AW119KE light helicopter from mid-2013

"Indian Rotorcraft will initially create jobs for more than 70 highly-skilled staff who will be trained by AgustaWestland. We see great potential to expand this facility in the future to become a support and production centre for other helicopter types," Spagnolini adds.

The facility is being built on a 40,000m2 (430,500ft2) site in Hyderabad, where the Andhra Pradesh state government is keen to attract more aerospace businesses. Indian Rotorcraft's operation will include a 9,000m² building incorporating a main assembly facility, flight hangar, offices and several helicopter landing pads. It will have capacity to produce up to 30 helicopters a year and is designed to be further developed for other helicopter types, right up to the 16t AW101, say the companies.

India is viewed by helicopter manufacturers as one of the biggest potential growth markets in the next few years. AgustaWestland says it has sold nearly 50 commercial helicopters in the country during the past six years for missions including VIP and corporate transport, offshore oil and gas support, and general charter operations.

The joint venture is another step by Tata, India's largest and most well-known business group, to move into aerospace.

A separate joint venture between Tata and Sikorsky produces cabins for the S-92 helicopter in Hyderabad. There are also plans to manufacture up to 80% of the S-92 at the facility. The joint venture also manufactures components for various other military and commercial aircraft.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ry-and-economy

HYDERABAD, MARCH 21:
Well-known helicopter manufacturer, Sikorsky, will demonstrate its S-92 legacy of heroes helicopter in five cities of India, including Hyderabad from March 26.

It is significant because cabins for the S-92 helicopter are being manufactured in Hyderabad. The Tatas in a joint venture with Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp, US has set up a manufacturing base on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It has commenced supply from November, 2011. With India serving as a global manufacturing base for this aircraft, it is a homecoming for the helicopter, said Air Vice-Marshal (retired), Mr Arvind Walia, Executive Vice-President, India and South Asia, Sikorsky, in a press release.

The Legacy of Heroes tour follows similar exercises by the company in other countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand.

In India it will be on display in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Mumbai.

The helicopter has multiple capabilities which include search and rescue, transportation missions for accessing offshore oil and gas rigs, coastal surveillance, emergency medical transport and VIP transportation.

Since its first helicopter flew out in 2004, Sikorsky has sold 152 of the S-92 versions, which have flown a combined time of 4,00,000 flight hours, the release added.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/leisure-w...cloud-nine-755

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner promises to make long haul air travel a lot more luxurious

The big bird enthralled a lucky few after it touched the tarmac at the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. The airport was once the hub and could handle big and small aircrafts. It closed commercial operations after the new and swanky Hyderbad International Airport opened on the outskirts of the city.

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is big — about 56 m long. Though the launch has been delayed, Boeing says, it is a game changer for Boeing and it lives up to all the promises. With a cruising speed of Mach 0.85 (about 913 km/h) at 35,000 ft), it can crunch 7,650–8,200 nauctical miles, which is about 14,200–15,200 km, enough to cover thousands of kilometres.

“We flew non-stop from Seattle to New Delhi for 14 hours in the Dreamliner,” says Dinesh A Keskar, senior vice-president of Asia Pacific and India sales of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

According to Boeing, on December 6, 2011, its test aircraft ZA006 (sixth 787 built), powered by General Electric GEnx engines, flew about 20,000 km non-stop from Boeing Field to Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka in Bangladesh. It is a record for an aircraft of this weight (787’s weight is between 200,000 kg and 250,000 kg). The 787 has already attracted gazes in China, Africa, the West Asia, Europe and the United States during its world tour.

India’s growth at around eight per cent gives Boeing enough reasons to bank on the country’s aviation market. India requires nearly 1,321 aircraft and this is expected to account for almost four per cent (about $ 150 billion) of the estimated $4 trillion global aircraft market in the next two decades.

The 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner. The one that came to Hyderabad sported Rolls Royce engines.

“We have completed all certifications for the 787. Though it has come late in the market, but it has kept all the promises made,” says Keskar.

According to him, there is no aircraft that is closer to the Dreamliner in terms of fuel efficiency at 2,500 ft. Its maintenance costs are lower and cargo capacity is higher. There are 18 seats in the business class with fully horizontal beds and 238 economy class seats to take the total seat number to 256.

Every seat has sophisticated in-flight video and entertainment facilities. They have in-seat power sockets and USB ports to connect your own devices such as iPod, iPhone or iPad, in case you don’t like the one streamed in the flight.

“The passenger interiors are key. It has higher humidity. When you fly longer hours, the higher humidity will ensure that there is no fatigue,” tells Keskar while walking us through the Dreamliner. This has been made possible through the use of composite materials and not just aluminium. Then why is such a facility not available in all other aircraft?

“Because aluminium and water react and cause corrosion resulting in a reduced life of the aircraft. To beat this, Dreamliner used composite materials with carbon to reduce weight and to allow humidity in the aircraft,” says Keskar, adding that this will ensure that the aircraft is in garage for less time and on air more time, allowing the carriers to make more money.

The jet has large electrically controlled windows, which you can play with. It takes 60 seconds to go from a completely dark window to a fully clear window. There are more things that will catch your fancy.

From the operators point of view, the engines are powerful yet fuel-efficient. It has an advanced transformic wing to make it aerodynamic and dust-resistant. So much so, if two aeroplanes go side by side in the same gush, you will not feel much discomfort if you are in the 787, tells Keskar.

Boeing has started working on the design of a bigger variant, 787-9, for more passenger capacity and better range.

In India, Air India has ordered the Dreamliner and Boeing says the delivery will happen in a quarter or so. Another order is from Jet that is expected to be delivered in 2014. “You have to wait for seven or eight years for delivery,” tells Keskar. In all, 59 customers have ordered 870 Dreamliners.

Circuit breakers are on a pad screen for easier control. The jet has a heads-up display to provide data such as the altitude and air speed without having to look down.

The engine is less noisy that people living around the airport will hardly know that a 787 has landed, the company says.

“The cabin noise is reduced and people can talk to each other in the flight and not scream. You will not have the buzzing in your eardrums that is so common in long haul journeys,” tells a flight attendant.

The headroom is also comparitively big and the baggage space is good enough to take four trolleys in each unit.

Long haul flights mean disturbed biological clocks. The Dreamliner has Boeing’s mood lighting that can simulate a sunrise or a sunset to alleviate your mood. Moreover, there are many colours to choose from —different settings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

While designing the aircraft, people’s comfort has obviosuly been given a lot of thought. For instance, the windows of the aircraft are designed in such a way that even those who have the aisle seat could see the view outside. Keskar says the windows are almost 150 per cent bigger in size.

You can also find air filter that deals with perfumes and odours. The good thing is, the passenger has a control over the air filter mechanism.

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://www.4-traders.com/INFOTECH-EN...e-Aw-14240838/

Hyderabad, India, March 27, 2012: Infotech Enterprises today announced that it has received a 2011 Boeing Performance Excellence Award. The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance. Infotech maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2011.

This year, Boeing recognized 529 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award.

Over the past 7 years, Infotech Enterprises has supplied specialized engineering services and solutions to Boeing across commercial programs such as 747-8 (freighter and passenger), 787 and 757 among others. "We are honored to receive this recognition from Boeing as a result of our continuous focus on customer satisfaction and quality in the delivery of our services", said Mr. Rajendra Velagapudi, Senior Vice President & Global Delivery Head for Aerospace, Infotech Enterprises Ltd.

Infotech Enterprises 'Global Collaborative Engineering' approach helps aerospace manufacturers to innovate and build a competitive advantage while protecting customers' key IP assets. The robust processes of Infotech Enterprises and its intense focus on productivity improvement have resulted in optimal weight solutions, faster turnaround and improved success in meeting offset obligations and industry compliances for major aerospace manufacturers around the world. Today, Infotech Enterprises is the largest extended engineering arm for global aerospace OEMs, offering end-to-end services for complex global engineering challenges.

For more information on the Boeing Performance Excellence Award, visit http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices...rtal/bpea.html.

About Infotech Enterprises Limited
Founded in 1991, we are a leading Global Engineering services company. We provide services to a wide range of industries - Aerospace, Rail, Automotive, Marine, Energy, Plant Engineering, Utilities, Telecom (operators), Government, Retail, Consumer Electronics, Medical Electronics, Semiconductor, Telecom (manufacturers) and Computing industries. Infotech has a distinctive business model: "offshore services, onshore responsibility". We operate "Centers of Excellence" for leaders in key industries. We combine the extensive engineering design and solutions capability based in India with global delivery through our offices worldwide providing local customer interface and project management.

Our cutting edge is our industry specific domain expertise, people and processes, technologies, tools and training. We draw on this strong foundation to create measurable business impact for customers around the world, resulting in long-term relationships with several of the most recognized names in their respective industries. Many of these are among the top fortune 500 companies.

We are a (INFOTECENT in BSE - Bombay Stock Exchange and in NSE - National Stock Exchange) listed company with equity participation from globally reputed investors. For more information, please visit www.infotech-enterprises.com.


Disclaimer:
The aero program names so mentioned are the sole properties of The Boeing Company and have been used herewith for illustrative purposes only.

Also, this document contains certain forward looking statements on our relationship with The Boeing Company. Although, Infotech believes that expectations contained in these statements are reasonable, their nature involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may lead to different results. These forward looking statements represent only the current expectations and beliefs and company provides no assurance that such expectations will prove correct.

[ygvjs2000]

Hyderabad-made cabin for Sikorsky
http://www.asianage.com/india/hydera...n-sikorsky-772
A S-92 Sikorsky helicopter that was fitted with a cabin made in Hyderabad is all set to take off from a US city in two weeks time.
Air Vice Marshal (retd) Arvind Walia, executive vice president, India & South Asia, Sikorsky, told the reporters that the helicopter company is looking at India as a huge market for its products in the near future.
Mr Walia said, “We have established a joint venture with Tatas to manufacture about 80 per cent requirement of parts for S-92 Sirkosky helicopter at Hyderabad in India, as we see a huge demand for helicopters from the defence services, para-military, corporate hospitals and offshore drilling companies here.”
With the cabins ready, the company only has to add cockpits and tails to make them complete helicopter. “We will ship the cabins from Chennai port and assemble the helicopter in the US,” Mr Walia said, adding that the first cabin manufactured from India is already in US to be delivered to a global customer in two weeks time.
The company which began manufacturing the cabins in Japan is slowly moving its business to India, as it sees a future for itself in this country. At present, the unit at Hyderabad has facilities to manufacture two cabins a month, but “we will increase the production capacity to three cabins per month by 2013,” Mr Walia said.
Already Sikorsky helicopters are flying in India as the company has sold six S-76 helicopters here.
“The government of Maharashtra made the latest purchase in November 2011,” Mr Walia said, adding that the Deccan Airways is the authorised dealers for them.

[rockystone]

Tata-Sikorsky copter cabin unit to double production this month

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle3273790.ece

The Tata-Sikorsky S-92 helicopter cabin manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is doubling production to 26 units annually from this month. The global demand for these machines is growing.

Also, within a year, the facility will be using indigenous components, as the joint venture firm's new component manufacturing facility here commenced production last month. Currently, the cabins made here are fitted with all components produced by Sikorsky-Mitsubishi's Japan facility, which is being closed down in a phased manner as the Hyderabad facility reaches full capacity within a year.

“We will be doubling our production from 12 units to 26 units from this month. Subsequently, we will scale it up to 36 units,” Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Arvind Walia, told media persons at the production site on the outskirts of Hyderabad today.

Sikorsky, which holds 26 per cent stake in the joint venture, will be using this facility as the sole supplier of cabins for its global manufacture of S-92 choppers. The US-based copter maker, which delivered 160 S-92 choppers so far, expects to sell some 120 units globally over the next two years.

It recently signed orders for delivery of 16 S-92 machines for offshore operations in the UK and another 28 modified units for the Canadian Navy. Cabins account for a “significant share” in the basic cost of S-92 choppers —$20-$ 22 million apiece.

The facility will get a boost from this month, as the new component making unit in the same premises started production last month. “The new facility will be making some 4,000 different components for the S-92 copters, apart from the other models of Sikorsky,” Air Marshal Walia said.

Sikorsky finds benefits such as costs, operational flexibility and closer to emerging markets by replacing its Japanese component units with the Hyderabad facility.

[sun124]

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/siko...ence-foray-648

Sikorsky and the Tata Group could form a joint venture Tata- Sikorsky Helicopters venture to make military helicopters in India.

The company has applied for a military licence, which will pave a way to set up a helicopter assembly line in India, according to Steve Estill, vice-president (strategic partnerships), Sikorsky.

Its partner Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) will look for the land availability, in Hyderabad, Estill said.

Addressing the media in Hyderabad, Estill said Sikorsky is hopeful of orders from Indian navy, which has a requirement for 16 helicopters.

The naval multi-role helicopter contract was under the ‘buy and make’ category, which allows private sector companies to bid and hold the primary contract, and that the programme was at the RFI (request for information) stage, he said.

Sikorsky would compete in most segments and it aims to get a significant share in the Indian helicopter market.

Arvind Walia, executive vice-president (India and South Asia), Sikorsky, said: "We have completed the flight evaluation trials. We hope to hear from the ministry on opening of commercial bids in the next two weeks.”

“We have no hesitation in addressing the requirement of this country for the ‘buy and make’ category. Our aim will be to bid as a local company in the next round of bidding,” he said.

Sikorsky was also optimistic of orders from HAL.

[sun124]

http://business-standard.net.in/resu...icence/469864/

Hyderabad Apr 03, 2012

US-based chopper manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, part of United Technologies Corp, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have applied for a defence licence to manufacture components and assemble helicopters for use by the Indian Navy, according to Steve Estill, vice-president (strategic partnerships), Sikorsky.

“The licence will pave the way for us to set up an assembly line in this country. We will decide on our plans once we hear from the Ministry of Defence. We expect our application to be cleared from the ministry in the second quarter of this financial year,” he told mediapersons here on Monday.

L&T and Mahindra & Mahindra are among the other big Indian companies that have received licences in the past to manufacture defence equipment.

India liberalised the defence industry in 2001, allowing 100 per cent participation by the private sector with foreign direct investment permissible up to 26 per cent, both subject to licensing and security clearance.

The Sikorsky-TASL contract was formed in 2009 to make helicopter cabins for the US company. Both the companies had also signed an agreement to create a joint venture that will manufacture aerospace components for Sikorsky in India, including components for S-92 helicopter cabins. TASL has 74 per cent shares in the JV. The JV broke ground last year and started producing over 4,000 parts and sub-assemblies for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft from this March 6 from its facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad .

According to Arvind Walia, executive vice-president (India and South Asia), Sikorsky, the company was among the two firms to be shortlisted by the ministry to supply 16 multi-role choppers to the defence sector.

“We expect to be L1 for this contract, which is pegged at about $1 billion. The only other manufacturer to be shortlisted is a European company called NH Industries. We have completed all formalities as far as the flight evaluation trials are concerned. We hope to here from the ministry a firm date for opening of commercial bids in the next two weeks,” he said.

Walia said the naval multi-role helicopter contract was under the ‘buy and make (Indian)’ category, which allowed private sector companies to bid and hold the primary contract, and that the programme was at the RFI (request for information) stage.

“We have provided the information and Sikorsky has no hesitations in addressing this requirement of this country for the ‘buy and make’ category. Our aim would be to bid locally. We can rename our Tata-Sikorsky JV so it will be a local company bidding in the next round for the Navy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Tata-Sikorsky S-92 helicopter cabin manufacturing facility here is doubling its production to 26 units annually from this month on the back of growing demand.

“Right now, the cabins that we make here are fitted with all components produced by Sikorsky-Mitsubishi’s Japan facility, which is being closed down in a phased manner. Within a year, the Hyderabad facility will use completely indigenous components for its cabins,” Walia said.

Sikorsky had so far delivered S-92 choppers globally. S-92, a tricycle-configured chopper with a nose wheel, costs around $22 million. The company expects to sell around 120 units worldwide over the next two years.

“The Indian commercial and military helicopter markets are set to touch $8 billion and $33 billion respectively over the next 25-30 years, to become the second largest chopper market in the world after the US. We hope to sell at least two units in the commercial market here, if not more, this year,” Estill said.

[sun124]

http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...e-missile-unit

HYDERABAD: A surface-to-air missile unit is all set to come up at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore at Ibrahimpatnam in Ranga Reddy district. The foundation stone for the project by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) was laid by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday.
The infrastructure for the project, spread over 630 acres of land, will be ready in three years' time. Initially, an estimated 6,000 missiles are expected to be produced at the unit which would be equipped to subsequently expand production to keep up with the demand.


M Pallam Raju, the Union minister of state for defence, said that the project budget would be allocated in the 12th and 13th Plans. Project developer BDL's turnover would go from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore once production begins at the surface-to-air missile defence project unit at Ibrahimpatnam. The new unit will create 1,000 officer-level jobs and Pallam Raju said that manpower from educational institutions should be churned out as per industry requirements to enable the local population to benefit from the project and find employment at the unit.
The Union minister said that training in the necessary skills should be offered at the technological institutions for the local populace to be able to compete at the national level for the jobs that are created. The minister said that the Centre would soon come out with a policy that facilitates better private sector participation in the defence sector.
Kiran Kumar said that the state government was working on allocating 6,000 to 7,000 acres of land for various defence projects including three each by BDL and BEL, two for ECIL and one for Midhani. These projects would together generate employment for 10,000 people, the CM added. Kiran Kumar said that as part of the state government's Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu programme, necessary skills were being imparted with students for employment in various sectors. The CM informed that in its first four months, one lakh placements had been made through the programme.
Maj Gen Ravi Khetarpal (rtd), chairman and managing director of BDL, said that the Ibrahimpatnam unit would be the company's fourth manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh and the fifth in the country. He revealed that the Ibrahimpatnam project would kick off with an initial investment of Rs 2,500 crore.
The technology for missile production would be transferred by the DRDO which is collaborating with a foreign partner. He said the country's first indigenous surface-to-air missile 'Akash' was ready, manufactured by BDL.

[Gudavalli]

DRDO investing Rs 1,000 cr in testing, quality facilities

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle3287437.ece

HYDERABAD, APRIL 6:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will invest over Rs 1000 crore to create 4-5 new facilities for testing and quality. The investment and creation of these facilities will be over the next two-three years.

These include, a full-fledged launch control centre in Port Blair, a hypersonic wind tunnel testing facility near Hyderabad, a hi-tech electronic range in Andhra Pradesh and another centre for testing and calibration of materials.

These facilities will improve the country's capabilities in testing missiles, electronic components, materials, systems etc., according to Mr Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (R&D), Missiles and strategic systems of the DRDO.

HYPERSONIC WIND TUNNEL

The hypersonic wind tunnel facility will come up in Shamirpet about 35 km from Hyderabad. It will be useful in simulating hypersonic flight speeds (up to Mach 10, a Mach number is the speed of sound) on the ground in the facility.

“With the next generation of missiles to be developed by India going to be in the hypersonic area, the facility is very important, Mr Chander told Business Line here.

The DRDO already has a project on hypersonic missile development technology. At present, BrahMos, the Indo-Russian joint venture developed cruise missile is in this class with speeds of Mach 2.8. The DRDO facility will require around Rs 600 crore investment. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also building one such facility, he said.

ELECTRONIC RANGE

While it has been decided to locate the electronic range in Andhra Pradesh, the DRDO is looking out for suitable land. It will be a software-driven facility. In addition to simulation and evaluation of weapon systems, it would be possible to create complex battle field conditions in the range to test out various hardware and software.

The Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad along with a few other labs and national institutes has developed an electronic warfare platform. With future wars expected to be heavily dependent on software, complex electronics and communications, the national facility would be very critical, said defence scientists.

[ygvjs2000]

http://india.nydailynews.com/article...me-a-cargo-hub
Hyderabad airport aiming to become a cargo hub
Hyderabad, April 12 — With Thai Airways commencing its Bangkok-Hyderabad-Frankfurt cargo freighter service, Lufthansa already operating four freighter services a week and others expressing keenness to connect, Hyderabad airport is aiming to become India's first cargo hub.

A Thai Airways Boeing 747-400F landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here Thursday and later left for Frankfurt.

The service connects the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport directly with Fareast and European countries and adds to Thai Airways' four weekly A330 operations. Thai Airways officials said they would soon announce their further plans for Hyderabad.

With its central location, world class infrastructure, free trade and special economic zone, huge presence of pharma sector, Hyderabad is ideally suited to be a cargo hub.

GMR Hyderabad Airport International (GHIAL), which runs the airport, is in talks with airlines and industry to develop the hub, said its chief executive officer Vikram Jaisinghani.

"The areas around Hyderabad and cities like Visakhapatnam, Nagpur and Pune all can be best served by Hyderabad," he said, pointing out that major airports like Mumbai cannot expand further.

During 2011-12, Hyderabad airport handled 82,000 tonnes of cargo, a growth of 15 percent against the national average of 11.2 percent. GHIAL expects 8 to 10 percent growth this year.

Presently pharma accounts for 70 percent of exports. The other major sector is defence equipment. GHIAL officials said this could all change as they are working on cargo hub strategy to cater to several Indian cities.

Lufthansa is already operating four freighter services on Mumbai-Hyderabad-Sharja-Frankfurt route. "More major freight operators will come to Hyderabad soon," said D. P. Hemanth, chief operating officer, hub development, cargo, free trade zone, GHIAL.

The cargo apron is expected to be ready by October this year and the work will begin soon. The apron, being developed at a cost of $4 million, will be equipped to handle all wide bodied aircrafts.

Hyderabad's cargo terminal is India's first modular integrated cargo facility spread over 14,330 sq.mts with a capacity to handle 150,000 MT annually. This terminal also has India's only dedicated pharmaceutical handling zone.

The pharma zone offers a temperature controlled environment for handling temperature sensitive pharma products to maintain the cold chain during the shipment process from shippers factory to end users.

The airport operator is also working on Road Feeder Services (RFS) which allows safe, secure and reliable transportation of shipments to key cities in India via road.

RGIA also engaged in discussions with global trunk route freighter airlines to route their network via Hyderabad.

[Gudavalli]

Hyderabad has ambitions to be India's air cargo hub

Source: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/i...0017953464.htm

India’s fast-growing Hyderabad Airport has ambitions to become the country’s main gateway for air cargo.

Lufthansa Cargo already operates four freighters a week, Thai Airways launched a Bangkok-Hyderabad-Frankfurt freighter service last week and today, Cathay Pacific has announced that it is to expand its presence in India with a new twice-weekly freighter service to Hyderabad, making it the first airline to offer an air cargo service linking India’s fourth most populous city with East and North Asia.

GMR Hyderabad Airport International (GHIAL), which runs the airport, is in talks with airlines and industry to develop the hub, said CEO Vikram Jaisinghani.

“World-leading cargo airlines like Thai and Cathay commencing operations is testimony to the world-class facilities and immense potential waiting to be tapped at RGIA,” he added.

The operator believes the airport is ideally situated to become the country’s main gateway for air cargo. Every other major airport in India is within two hours’ flying time and it has already set up feeder services for transhipment by road.

And traffic is increasing. In 2002-03, the airport handled 20,728 tonnes of freight. By 2006-07, this had risen to 46,411 tonnes and in 2010-11, it handled 80,777 tonnes.

GHIAL expects 8-10% growth this year. The airport is currently handling more than 250 international and 1,800 domestic flights each week.

Hyderabad’s cargo terminal is India’s first modular integrated freight facility and is spread over 14,330sq metres, providing capacity for 150,000 million tonnes a year.

The terminal also has India’s only dedicated pharmaceuticals handling zone, offering a temperature-controlled environment.

Jaisinghani said: “India, and in particular Hyderabad, is fast emerging as an important pharmaceutical manufacturing centre, with 70% of the exports coming from Hyderabad alone.”

The airport is also building a new cargo apron and setting up an express terminal, which will allow operators to Customs-clear and move their time-critical packages directly from Hyderabad.

[Gudavalli]

New Cathay cargo service paves way for cargo hub in Hyderabad

Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/new-...-hyderabad-769

In an indication of Hyderabad coming up as a potential cargo hub for India, Cathay Pacific Airlines has decided to expand its presence in the country with a new twice-a-week freighter service from the city.

The Hong Kong-based airways said it would commence two weekly freighter services from Hyderabad, along with a third from Bangalore beginning Tuesday. With these additions, Cathay now has 19 cargo flights a week connecting top five major Indian cities.

Lufthansa already operates four freighters a week at the Air Cargo complex, which is run by GMR’s Hyderabad International Airport. Last week, Thai Airways too started freighter service here connecting Frankfurt and Bangkok.

In the past few years, Indian airports are believed to have witnessed around 10.9 per cent growth rate in the cargo segment. International cargo contributed around two-third of the total business. “Hyderabad is one of the major hubs for the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in India, accounting for around one-third of the country’s prescription drug production, so we expect a strong demand for our specialised Pharma LIFT products and services. For Bangalore, we have been seeing increasing demand since we launched our freighter service last August,” said Nick Rhodes, director (Cargo), Cathay Pacific. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has a cargo capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum with a dedicated pharma zone.

From Hyderabad, the service will connect Cathay’s Hong Kong Hub to Bangalore and Chennai as well. The new service from Bangalore, on the other hand, will operate via Mumbai. These freighter services will help shippers connect mainly to East and North Asia.

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Boeing to help set up transonic tunnel facility

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle3346222.ece

Global aircraft major Boeing is setting up a transonic wind tunnel facility in Hyderabad.

The facility, the first of its kind in the country and under ‘Defence offsets', could involve an expenditure of Rs 400-450 crore.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will use the facility for its research studies. It is expected to come up in 3-4 years, according to Mr K.V.R. Murthy, Integrated Financial Advisor, DRDO.

A wind tunnel is an enclosure that is equipped to test the aerodynamic features of various aircraft shapes. It can also test space vehicles.

A transonic tunnel is a high-speed tunnel that can generate speeds up to Mach 1.4 (Mach is the speed of sound).

OFFSET COMMITMENTS

The Defence Ministry's offset policy stipulates that a minimum of 30 per cent of the value of a large contract bagged by a foreign company or a consortium in Defence projects has to be sourced from lndia.

Boeing has the largest offset commitment in the country, according to Mr Dinesh S. Keskar, Senior Vice-President, Asia-Pacific & India sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

In a recent interaction with Business Line in Hyderabad, Mr Keskar said the company was active in the Defence and aerospace sectors and has collaborations with HAL, BEL, and the Tata group.

It is also looking at opportunities with companies that possess engineering expertise, such as Mahindras and L&T.

In the last five years Boeing has won a major contract to supply 68 aircraft to Air India. In 2009, the Government of India purchased eight Boeing P-81 long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft.

In June 2011, the Defence Ministry signed an agreement with the US Government to acquire 10 Boeing C17 Globemaster III airlifters. Some of these deals carry Defence offsets.

HYPERSONIC TUNNEL

The DRDO is also in the process of setting up its own Rs 350-crore Hypersonic Wind Tunnel facility, also in Hyderabad.

At present the country has only one wind tunnel facility at the National Aerospace Laboratory, Bangalore, which is 40 years old. This will also be upgraded, Mr Murthy said.

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City will play crucial role in missile tech

“Many friendly nations want Akash Missile from India. In a couple of years, India, with active involvement of its local industries being strategic partners in design and production of weapon and missile technology, will be able to export the same to friendly nations. Hyderabad, from where at least 50 industries contributed significantly towards the development of Agni-V, is earmarked to play a crucial role. However, right now, the focus is to fulfil the domestic needs in terms of production and quality of technology for our defence forces at competitive costs,” disclosed Dr V.K. Saraswat, scientific adviser to defence minister and DG, DRDO, adding that DRDO should have a larger role in terms of selecting the production partners from private industries. He said that the defence ministry is also in concurrence with the same.

Maintaining that India has all the anti-satellite system capabilities, Dr Saraswat added that the policy on Non-Proliferation of Arms continues to be in place. “With Agni-V, we have attained and proven our self-reliance in terms of technology, making us independent from the external controls and erstwhile blackmailing resulting in reduced acceleration in missile technology,” he said.

He further added, “April 2012 is a milestone month in the history of Indian Aero Space Science with missions like Agni-V, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy having been carried out successfully.” When asked about the Ballistic Missiles Defence (BMD), Dr Saraswat said that “Phase-I of BMD will be completed by the year 2013 for intercepting Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles with a range of 2,000 km.” He said that the second phase of BMD will be completed by 2016 for intercepting intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with ranges over 5,000 km.

When asked about the test of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM), the DRDO chief replied that the test shall be conducted in June 2012. He termed the Tatra Trucks issue as an “aberration.”
Dr Saraswat, being the chairman of Aeronautical Society of India, was in the city in connection with Aerospace Luminary Lecture Series and was accompanied by Agni-V director Dr Avinash Chander.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/12916295.cms
Private industry’s contribution to Agni-V success huge, significant: Saraswat
HYDERABAD: Nearly 40 private industries from Hyderabad and almost 150 industries from all over the country contributed to the success of Agni-V, the long-range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that was test-fired successfully on April 19.

Director general of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and scientific advisor to defence minister, V K Saraswat on Saturday said the role of private industries was significant in the development of the missile that put India in an exclusive club. The private industries contributed major sub-systems as required by the DRDO.

Saraswat was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 'luminary sessions' organised by the Aeronautical Society of India, Hyderabad branch. The Agni-V team, including Saraswat, Avinash Chander, chief controller, R&D (missiles and strategic systems) and others were felicitated on the occasion.

Even in so far as the production of the weapon systems that the DRDO develops, Saraswat said he favoured a partnership with the production agency, right from the time the product is developed by the DRDO. This, he said, facilitates better transfer of technology. "Our strong opinion is that DRDO should have an important say in who the production partner should be," he said. In reply to a question, he said defence minister A K Antony had also felt so.

Saraswat said, several countries had shown interest in buying the Akash missile but it would not be possible to make the supplies because of the limited production facilities available in the country. Declining to name the countries which had shown such interest, he said these were countries which were friendly to India. "It is not possible to make supplies without our own requirement being met," he said.

The DRDO chief said the ongoing missiles programmes in the country were worth Rs 40,000 crore and if other programmes also included, it could go up to Rs 80,000 crore. He described the private participation in the success of missile as "huge significance."

The DRDO chief said the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' would be inducted into the Indian Air Force this year. He said a naval variant of the LCA was successfully test-fired on Friday. He said the first ship-fitted with Long Range Cruise Missile (LRCM) would also be rolled out in 2013-14.

In reply to a question, Saraswat dismissed the 'Tatra' trucks issue as an aberration'.

Explaining about the future projects, he said among the many things he visualised were a solar-powered aircraft by 2040. About Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), he said the tracking from the mission control centre as part of defence would have to be done in real-time communication network.

For many projects to materialise, Saraswat said self reliance was important and there was a need for nearly 500 engineers to join the defence establishment for acceleration of the current projects.

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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home
Aeronautical engineers on a high after three successful missions in April
HYDERABAD, APRIL 30:
April is the cruellest month, said the famous poet T.S. Eliot.

But for Indian aeronautical engineers, April 2012 will go down as a great month, says the Chief of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr V.K. Saraswat.

The reason is a hat-trick achieved by the country's aerospace community. The launch of Agni V, the longest range ballistic missile, followed by the placing of RISAT-1 satellite in orbit and finally, the success of the naval version of the Tejas (LCA).

These events have clearly demonstrated the maturing of technological and industrial capabilities in these areas. The success in the maiden flight trial of Agni-V and the enviable record of perfect launches (nearly 20 in a row), by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, are fitting examples of the expertise, Dr Saraswat told a gathering of technologists and industry representatives under the Aeronautical Society of India, Hyderabad chapter.

Agni-V has given the country the maximum strategic deterrence required at present. The RISAT-1, dramatically improves the imaging of the country's resources, both during day and night. The LCA (Light Combat Aircraft), will be inducted into the Indian Air Force, by end of 2012, he said to big applause.

A total of 1,855 hours of flying has been completed by the LCA. The naval version will be force multiplier and add more strength to the country's defences.

However, if you look at the demands in the next 25-30 years, the country's aeronautics capability at present will be only 30 per cent of the need. Therefore, the community faces a big challenge ahead, both in terms of technology development and mass production. “Our problem at present is producing these products in large numbers,” the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister told newspersons at a news conference that followed.

There is an immediate requirement of 400-500 engineers to accelerate our programmes and development. The DRDO is trying to recruit several young engineers and scientists to push their projects. The Agni-V, has seen a big role played by people between 30-40 years, Dr Saraswat added.

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Missile tech may open up Rs 1,00,000cr market for India

The missile technology has a scope of creating a Rs 1,00,000-crore market for the Indian private sector, said scientists and top defence officials involved in the Agni V project. If the missile technology, wherein India has proved its mettle, was backed by an advanced aircraft manufacturing ability, they claimed it could be provide a Rs 2,00,000 crore market to the private sector.

The people, who spoke include DRDO director general scientific advisor to the defence minister V.K. Saraswat, chief controller for R&D (missiles and strategic systems) and Agni programme director Avinash Chander and six other scientists, who were honoured by Ficci on Monday. Speaking about the Agni project, Mr Chander said that it just took three years for them to take Agni V from the draft board to the launch pad, with an active contribution from more than 150 companies, including 40-50 from Hyderabad.

He said the participation of the private sector in the defence projects could help India to realise its Vision 2030 for achieving self-reliance. Mr Chander said that no date has been finalised for test firing long range cruise missile Nirbhay. Hyderabad-based companies, Dr Saraswat claimed, have now graduated from designing and manufacturing sub-systems to systems for missile technology.

Sangita Reddy, the chairperson of Ficci Andhra Pradesh, commended the entrepreneurship spirit in the state and the latest being in the defence related productions. Amongst others to be honored were V.G. Sekaran, director, Advanced Systems Laboratory, S.K. Chaudhuri, director of Research Centre IMARAT, A.K. Chakrabarti, director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory, S.P. Dash, director of Interim Test Range, G. Sateesh Reddy. associate director of RCI and R.K. Gupta, project director of Agni-V.