2 Mar 2014

MIG 21 Bison 1/2 Indian Air force

In 1961, the Indian Air Force (IAF) opted to purchase the MiG-21 over several other Western competitors because the Soviet Union offered India full transfer of technology and rights for local assembly. In 1964, the MiG-21
became the first supersonic fighter jet to enter service with the IAF. Due to limited induction numbers and lack of pilot training, the IAF MiG-21 played a limited role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. However, the IAF gained valuable experience while operating the MiG-21 for defensive sorties during the war.The positive feedback from IAF pilots during the 1965 war prompted India to place more orders for the fighter jet and also invest heavily in building the MiG-21's maintenance infrastructure and pilot training programs. By 1969, India had acquired more than 120 MiG-21s from the Soviet Union.

Improvents on the baseline Mig-21 to make the bison :

multifunctional coherent Doppler-pulse airborne radar "Kopyo" with slot antenna
onboard digital computer
helmet-mounted target designato
double screen (HUD and CRT) display system
stores management system
inertial navigation system
air data computer system, digital
short range radio navigation system
onboard radio command receiving equipmen
new flare dispenser (26 mm 120 rounds)
new electric power supply system, controlling and recording system
Sextant's TOTEM RLG-INS with NSS-100P GPS embedded GPS receivers
El-Op HUD, infrared search and track system (IRST) from Russia's URALs optical-mechanical plant
two Sextant MFD-55 LCD displays
autopilot
radar warning receivers (RWR)
new liquid air cooling system
HOTAS controls

It has a mix of French, Israeli, Indian and Russian aveonics equipment.(like the MKI). It is claimed that the fighters are equivalent to any 4th Generation fighter, with the ability to lock on to 8 different targets at once.

It's weaponry includes the not so commonly seen seeker module of the KAB-500Kr TV guided bomb, R-73and an R-77 BVRAAM carried underwing. The aircraft's sophisticated EW suite comprises of a DRDO Tarang RWR/RHAWS, "Tempest" internal Self-protection jammer (SPJ) and the conformal CMDS.

Other features include a SURA HMS, a semi-glass cockpit and a Sextant Totem-3000 Ring laser gyro nav. system with GPS, to mention a few. Note the conformal countermeasure dispensers, the new Tarang RWR's antennae on the tailfin and the single piece windshield.