Technicians hold Indian flag high at Nevada war games

NEW DELHI: Though air force pilots corner the glory, it is the unsung group of technicians including software experts which keeps the Indian flag aloft during the ongoing exercises in the Nevada desert, U.S. The technicians have ensured availability of all aircraft in scorching heat and tarmac temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius during flying hours.

Proper planning

In extreme heat conditions, flying machines tend to develop leaks in hydraulic systems, engine oil, gearbox, etc. The performance of the avionics system also becomes erratic as integrated circuits develop problems. However, thanks to proper planning by the IAF technicians, aircraft serviceability was kept high all times. They worked on the tarmac, braving extreme heat in which even touching the metal surface of the aircraft without proper protection is near impossible.

The IAF’s experts from the Bangalore-based Software Development Institute (SDI, AF) indigenously developed software patches to make Su-30 MKI fighters’ avionics compatible with NATO operational philosophy. Wg. Cdr. J.S. Gavankar, software engineer from the institute, now with the contingent, explained: “The SDI software has made the Su-30 MKI platform more versatile and compatible with other air forces.”

The SDI avionics software has “reduced cockpit workload and assisted in increasing the pilot’s situational awareness multifold,” said Wg. Cdr. J.Singh, Flt. Cdr. of 20 Sqn.

This is the first time India has been invited to participate in the Red Flag multinational exercises.

Experts say the joint war games with the U.S., France and South Korea are a major step towards India’s acceptance in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-led military alliance of pro-western countries.