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Firestarter Profile picture
Firestarter
@Firezstarter1
Interests: Aerospace and Defence plus History and Warfare, Technology, Product Development, Economic Growth with a focus on sustainable industrial development
Jan 18 • 44 tweets • 11 min read
Let's talk a bit more about this as versus relying on CAG said this, that, etc etc and eschew common sense etc. MMR was originally assigned to HAL, by ADA, because of a straightforward reason. HAL was the only firm that assembled airborne radars in India (MiG-21s). The original plan was considered fairly reasonable except HAL itself didn't have the facilities or domain knowledge to take up the entire effort on its own. ADA roped in DRDO, whose one lab had recently made a 2D ground based radar (INDRA) which cleared IAF, IA trials.
Jan 17 • 80 tweets • 14 min read
The scientific community was not responsible for setting the SQRs in toto. It takes the user to define realistic ones as well. The SQRs asked for Mirage 2000 class avionics in a MiG21 sized airframe, systems and capabilities that existed in no other IAF aircraft of the time. For instance, rtake a look at the radar performance, for which the Mk1 was held up. Compare it to a MiG21 Bison. Bison upgrade, decades later, could accomplish only a 50km class performance against a medium fighter sized target. Tejas SQRs were double that for a smaller target.
Dec 28, 2024 • 17 tweets • 5 min read
We cannot delay the critical Tejas Mk2 as we are out of time. It is CCS cleared, in engg devpt, and we need it asap to replace MiGs, M2Ks vs an extortionate MRFA which we can't afford. Plus, to develop tech for AMCA. Else, its the same as delaying Tejas Mk1/1A while MiGs crashed. We've seen this play out every time. The Chinese are developing J10s, do we need the Tejas Mk1. By time desi debate was "finished", how many MiG21 pilots did we lose. Similarly, why do we need the Tejas Mk2 when we've Rafales. We can't afford them. $9Bn for 36 units!!
Dec 27, 2024 • 24 tweets • 5 min read
Since nobody expanded on this.

1 and 4 are interlinked. Get through PLAAF/PLA IADS and kill their airfields and airframes. Which means fighting their IADS as well.
2. Fighting them A2A. Create a proper dynamic, kill chain with redundancy.
3. Surviving their strikes. More below. 1 & 4 - how does one stop the PLAAF from surging their assets. In theater and out of theater. Former are your fighters, tactical drones, choppers. Out of theater are larger airframes. Out of theater, safety, also take off weights are limited at altitude PLAAF airfields are at.
Nov 4, 2024 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
Perfect example of half baked analysis. A lot of IAFs attrition is because it trains harder with equipment that isnt even designed for the role given Indias budgetary issues and its threat perception. A GOI/IAF analysis of HAL made aircraft put them favorably vs imports. Image Fact of the matter the high operational tempo on aircraft which came with several design issues that weren't designed for intense operational flying, plus the high learning curve (no AJT for ages) moved the attrition needle up.
Oct 23, 2024 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
This is the kind of "confidence" that is amusing. Arudhra is the IAF designation for the EL/M-2084 and the DRDOs designation for the Medium Power Radar aka RESAR, Rotating S band AESAR. There is no Swordfish or Super Swordfish. Actual radars are LRTR, VLRTR. At least learn a little bit about the effort India put into it's AESA program. The DRDO Arudhra is a S band unit. The V/LRTR are L Band units & only received partial assistance from Israel for baseline LRTR. Signal processing units were inhouse. No "Super Swordfish" was ToTed.
May 8, 2023 • 28 tweets • 17 min read
@FinestYew @hellfire_81 1. The DRDO developed a 105mm APFSDS for the Vijayanta. This was used to develop one for the T-72, Arjun. OFB outsourced propellant procurement for T-72 round, rounds stored outside in heat, leaked, some even exploded. IA cancelled it went for an Israeli round. That TOT failed... @FinestYew @hellfire_81 2. The then OFB chairman got arrested by CBI for corruption. IMI blacklisted, round supply both imported and TOT stopped. Poland also tried TOT for same round, failed, turned to Rheinmetall. We'd blacklisted RM too for a seperate deal. Meanwhile, we had almost no rounds at all.
Jan 23, 2023 • 20 tweets • 4 min read
Everyone can have "opinion", informed try to bring data as versus "2nd best" etc. Reality: IAF conducted a near flawless op vs a Pak terror camp (deception, mission planning, wpns deployment), despite snafus (weather). Next day, 4 a/c IAF CAP held off 20+ a/c PAF strike pkg. The PAF package thought it had all figured out. Dominance by numbers, better BVR wpns (lacunae from IAF side as it awaited MRFA?), EW spprt, suppress IAF CAP while it launched "PR strikes" to assuage restive populace and avenge prior nights humiliation.
Jan 23, 2023 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Hilarious to see how everytime Indians puncture the propaganda of Pak ISPR bots, their most rabid supporters are actually those who claim to be Indian and have thir TL full of pro-INC, pro-RaGa tweets. And these clowns then wonder why India won't vote for them. From scientific accomplishments to infra build out, from wartime achievements to peacetime accomplishments eg vaxx devpt. These INC/AAP bots hate all of it. Can't stand a country capable of standing up, confident in it's skin. Mindset is of servile, subservience.
Jan 21, 2023 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
Good that you admit it's only the structure. Do you guys even own the design, let alone systems. As regards Tejas, it's an actual local development program, far lesser import content, better combat capacity. Even the radar and weapons are localized. Astra, SAAW, Uttam etc. I mean you brag about the JF-17, 24/7 as if it's the best thing since sliced bread & nothing can withstand it, lol but right now you'd to go running for the J-10 to face off the Rafales. If that's not a ringing endorsement of how behind the JF-17 is....
Nov 24, 2022 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
The fundamental mistake starts here itself. India isn't building these products for export. It's building them for itself, and export is an adjunct. The facts are India has 123 Tejas on order already. 108 Tejas Mk2 and 108 are to follow. How many TFX are planned for anyhow. India has to deliver the programs per a set schedule, to the quality standards set by its AF, the "sales" are a given. The highest risk is actually in Phase 2 of the AMCA. Those 4 squadrons are a high risk. Tejas Mk2, AMCA Phase 1 rely on a proven engine, so are lower risk.
Nov 23, 2022 • 19 tweets • 6 min read
So much crying and wailing over the Turks demonstrating one programs pics. 😂😂😂 At least have some perspective. This is their first fighter. India has currently cleared two fighter programs, is on the verge of approving another, has a phase by phase path towards its A&D devpt. Here is the first thing. The Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 are both 4.5G fighters which will have a huge ++ on IAFs combat ability. Being single engine, and 4.5G, they will have higher operational availability and lower opex. Compare 5G to 4/4.5G costs. (NBC, 2021). ImageImage
Jul 23, 2022 • 17 tweets • 3 min read
This poorly researched article indicates many desi academics can't seem to handle any complex topic. Let alone giving credit where it is due. They look at cost overruns and delays to look at DRDO programs, by which yardstick, majority of world's R&D programs would be liable too. Let's take a look at merely one, of the programs they've mentioned in this article, the Astra. "Authors research" is about putting an extra cimn indicating time lines missed etc. No real look at what making an Astra entails, why so few countries attempt this, let alone succeed.
Jun 30, 2022 • 16 tweets • 3 min read
This is analysis? Tejas flounders while JF-17 soars? Clickbait title apart, and an article full of generic fluff picked up from a five minute Google search dear sir? Let's get to the details shall we. We are told "The IAF has also... pointed out several shortcomings, including short combat range, underpowered engine and inadequate weapon-carrying capacity." Now, the IAF may compare the Tejas vis a vis its even heavier platforms but you brought up the JF-17. So please tell us..
Jun 28, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
The Arjun can now deal with most modern tanks (unless APS/countermeasure equipped). Missile can fight this by using non line of sight trajectories (or even hit a target behind an obstruction) with a third party laser designator (another tank, UAV, troops). Truly lethal. Image Also note the low signature of the fire. And the accuracy of the terminal guidance. Less warning for the target, more protection for the firing tank and also less rounds required per engagement. Can engage low flying choppers, tanks - latter are primary targets though.
Jan 25, 2022 • 14 tweets • 3 min read
Uttam/EL-M 2052 AESA, ASPJ/EL 8222 WB, Tarang/ DR-118 RWR, Astra/I Derby ER, ASRAAM/R-73E/Python-V and HMDS, Litening - 4I, NGARM/SAAW/Griffin/Paveway/LRGB plus ODL, IFR in a low RCS package with a pilot friendly cockpit, data fusion. Has run 6 sorties/day. A lethal package. The Tejas is a delta plan form, similar to the Mirage 2000, with, per its pilots, an even better handling FBW. Frees up the pilot to focus on mission, weapons handling. FBW takes into account all external atmospheric, aircraft flight conditions and optimizes comtrol response.
Jan 23, 2022 • 19 tweets • 4 min read
There are two groups of people deeply upset at the Modi Govts decision to combine the Amar Jawan Jyoti with the National War Memorial and to put up a statue of Shri SC Bose at India Gate. Their motives are quite transparent, let's consider them. A rare few traditionalists may be upset, but they are by far a minority. So they can be disregarded. Others posture in their name however. Let's consider them. Group 1, are those upset for political reasons. To their mind, PM Modi has appropriated the memory of a powerful leader.
Dec 13, 2020 • 33 tweets • 6 min read
Very true, but the user services also need to be prepared for the long haul that is product development, as versus cursing DPSUs or pvt sector for invariable delays that arise from trying to squeeze in decades of development into one program. Consider the Tejas, a fighter which CAG notes suffered from the lack of an IAF liason group all the way from 1989. The IAF has no program management organization, so as a result all its efforts are ad hoc, program dependent. Capable officers are often posted out.
Nov 3, 2020 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
How surprising.😋😋😂😂😂

timesnownews.com/india/article/… The bigger question is of the 60% aircraft that are supposedly operational - how many of them are restricted from flying at full G/envelope lest they too crack up?
Nov 1, 2020 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
If the Economist spent more time on economics, NYT spent actual effort on real news etc as versus acting like propagandists for their chosen political side - red/blue whatever, they'd actually be relevant. Right now, just making themselves irrelevant with such antics. I mean the dunderheads at the Economist before every other election solemnly pick a side. That side often loses. What does that say then for the rest of their asinine pop anthropology they print about different countries? What does it say for their editors and the authors?
Oct 12, 2020 • 20 tweets • 3 min read
Our blue ticked experts. Rant about how a program should be given to the private sector. Resort to abuse when it is merely pointed out that the co-developer is already from the private sector. This is the sort of informed discussion one has to deal with on Twitter.