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Visit of Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science & Technology (India), Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences to CSIR-NAL on 16.9.19
AIRCRAFT INTEGRATION FACILITY – Foundation Stone
CSIR-NAL is engaged in the design, development and certification of Saras Mk2, a twin-engine turboprop 19-seater transport aircraft for connecting small cities. To minimize aircraft certification time and cost, the proposed systems have to be integrated and tested on the test bed, before actual integration on the aircraft. This ground test facility is called an Iron Bird or Aircraft Systems Integration Test Rig, wherein all systems / line replaceable units (LRUs) will be integrated and tested as part of the clearance activity.
The Iron Bird is an aircraft flight control and subsystems mock-up, which duplicates the flight control system and supporting subsystems, as installed on the aircraft. Typically, Iron Birds have a limited cockpit to assess functional responses using stick, pedals, throttle, displays, landing gear and hydraulic system controls.
The proposed Systems Integration Test Rig is for Saras-Mk2 aircraft with major systems like flight control system, landing gears, brake system, nose wheel steering, hydraulic system, cockpit controls, avionics, communication and electrical systems etc. in spatially correct locations.
The iron bird facility is also the best facility to train the pilots and maintenance engineers/technicians since most of the system components are visible and provide insight into the general system layout.
SYSTEM CHECK FACILITY – Foundation Stone
Pre-installation checks (PI checks) for line replaceable units (LRUs) of aircraft system such as landing gear, hydraulic system, flight control system, electrical system etc., are required to be carried out on the ground to ascertain their proper functioning before installing on to the aircraft. These are mandatory requirements for aircraft prototypes as per regulatory authorities such as CEMILAC/DGAQA/DGCA.
This facility is not presently available in CSIR-NAL, and LRUs are being checked on prototype aircraft which is no more acceptable to the regulatory authorities. In addition to the requirement of a PI check facility, CSIR-NAL also requires a good building space with controlled temperature and humidity for safely storing these LRUs.
SMART AEROSPACE COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING FACILITY
The Smart Aerospace Composite Manufacturing Facility will produce high quality light weight polymer composite airframes for the HANSA-NG program of CSIR-NAL. The process incorporates a Just-In-Time Impregnation technology which meets the stringent aerospace standards. CSIR-NAL is pioneering this technology for aerospace applications. M/s. MESCO Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. is the production partner in this program.
The major advantages of this process are as follows:
Cost effective & affordable pre-pregs
Automated uniform spatial distribution of resin
Minimal variation in mechanical properties
Superior control on manufacturing parameters
High rate of production
Safer working environment
The present prototyping facility established at CSIR-NAL shall produce 3 to 4 aircraft per year. The same will be scaled up at M/s MESCO facility, SEONI (MP) for production of about 12 aircraft per year initially. This facility will be operational from 2021-22. Based on market demand, the rate of production can be augmented.
Press Brief for visit of Hon'ble Union Minister of S&T to CSIR-NAL on 16/09/19
Tweets of Dr Harsh Vardhan Hon'ble Minister
