IAF software experts make Su30MKIs more versatile
23 Aug 2008, 1953 Hrs

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New Delhi, Aug 23 (ANI): During exercise Red Flag at Air Force base, Nevada, USA the Indian Air Force (IAF) technicians ensured a very high availability of aircraft for all exercise related requirements, despite scorching heat and tarmac temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius during flying hours.

During extreme heat conditions there is a tendency for the flying machines to develop snags such as leaks in hydraulic systems, engine oil gearbox and other parts . The performance of avionics system also becomes erratic as integrated circuits develop problems in extreme heat conditions.

However, due to proper planning and hard work of IAF technicians, aircraft serviceability was kept high at all times.

While appreciating the IAF technicians Colonel Corey, Maintenance Commander of United States Air Force (USAF) base Nellis said "IAF has maintained amazing serviceability rate in a sustained manner during the entire exercise."

Wing Commodore J.D. Kapoor, Senior Engineering Officer of 20 Squadron said that IAF technical practices and systems are comprehensive and well defined and meticulous adherence to these have ensured high tarmac availability that allowed aircrews to perform their missions.

He further added "Intelligence and out of the box thinking of the technicians of the unit has earned us praise from all quarters".

The IAF software experts from Bangalore based Software Development Institute (SDI, AF) indigenously developed software patches to make Su30MKI avionics compatible with NATO operational philosophy.

This wholly indigenous effort has saved valuable foreign exchange to the Indian exchequer.

Wing Commodore J.S. Gavankar, Software Engineer from SDI presently with the contingent at AF base Nellis explained, "The SDI software has made the Su30MKI platform more versatile and compatible with other Air Forces."

The exercise concluded today. (ANI)