HAL targets revenue growth to INR 26,500 crore in FY23

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been performing strongly in terms of revenue and since the financial year 2015, the public sector undertaking (PSU) has only recorded an uptrend in revenue. For FY22, HAL recorded the highest ever revenue of over Rs 24,000 crore.

ALSO READ - HAL reaches a new high with earnings over INR 24,000 crore in FY22

In the current financial year, the company’s target is around Rs 26,500 crore, which would give the company growth of around 8% compared to the previous financial year 2021.

HAL's order book stands at around Rs 85,000 crore. There is attrition of another Rs 3,000 crore during the current financial year and the executable timeframe is from 2023-2024 onwards for the next five years.

HAL expects an 8% rise in revenue growth to Rs 26,500 crore in FY23.

"HAL’s order book stands at around Rs 85,000 crore. With this, HAL’s order book looks quite healthy.We will be able to sustain our growth which we have been showing in the past. The growth could also be getting into a double-digit phase by FY24-FY25 onwards.By FY24 onwards, we should be able to achieve the double-digit growth and it will be sustainable. In FY24-FY25 it will be about 11-12 percent and after that, we hope to achieve 15 percent growth.CB Ananthakrishnan, Director — Finance and CFO with Additional Charge of CMD; Director-Engineering and R&D at HAL.

The entire order book as of today will be executed in the next five-six year timeframe. Apart from the existing order book of Rs 82,000 crore, the company has got visibility of around another Rs 60,000 crore orders in the next three-five years timeframe on various platforms. In the next one-two year, around INR 42,000 crore of orders are likely to get concluded.

Ananthakrishnan expects to maintain the margins of 24-25% in the years to come.

Last month, the government published a new list of 780 components and sub-systems that will come under a phased import ban between December 2023 and December 2028.

This is the third such "positive indigenisation" list comprising line replacement units, sub-systems and components used for various military platforms, equipment and weapons to minimise imports by the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs). The other two similar lists were published in December 2021 and March 2022.

(With Inputs from CNBC TV18)

Engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is working on a hybrid electric engine and sees a market for it in India in the regional aviation sector.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney recently announced plans to advance its hybrid-electric propulsion technology and flight demonstrator program supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec.

P&WC is working with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) to integrate this hybrid-electric technology into a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator.

Canada and Quebec are investing in the new hybrid-electric propulsion technology.

"Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to be a leader toward ever more sustainable aircraft propulsion technologies and be an integral part of Canada’s green recovery plan."Maria Della Posta, President, Pratt & Whitney Canada

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), an organisation designing, manufacturing and servicing aircraft and helicopter engines, will be advancing its hybrid-electric propulsion technology and flight demonstrator programme.

"We see hybrid-electric propulsion systems as one of the key routes to making aircraft of the future even more fuel efficient. We expect that smaller aircraft, including regional airliners, will be the first to benefit from this technology, creating a clear opportunity for India to grow these segments in a sustainable manner.India has one of the newest and most fuel efficient aircraft fleets in the world, powered by our GTF, V2500, PT6 and PW100 engine families. So India’s aviation sector is superbly positioned to lead a sustainable flying roadmap in the future.The hybrid-electric propulsion technology would enhance the performance of different phases of flight, and it would allow a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions."Ashmita Sethi, President and Country Head (India), Pratt & Whitney

P&WC targets ground testing of the technology in 2022 and flight testing of the Dash 8-100 demonstrators in 2024. In India, low-cost carrier SpiceJet is the operator of the de Havilland-8 airplane. It has more than 30 such aircraft in its fleet.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is any fuel that has the potential to generate lower carbon emissions than conventional kerosene on a life cycle basis.

The American aerospace company is also optimistic about its new engine product GTF (Gear Turbofan) advantage engine developed for the A320neo aircraft, a famous aeroplane in India with airlines such as IndiGo and GO FIRST airlines.

ALSO READ - Pratt and Whitney conducts a successful engine test on 100% sustainable aviation fuel

The previous generation GTF engine by Pratt & Whitney was launched in 2016 and has powered around 200 aircraft of IndiGo and GO FIRST so far.

ALSO READ - Go First grounds over a fifth of its fleet due to delayed deliveries of engines by Pratt & Whitney

“We are also working on a hybrid electric engine, so half the power will come from the battery and half from the engine itself. We will do flight tests in two years and it could be a test flight on the de Havilland-8 airplane which is a normal airplane here. So, finally in the future, can I predict hybrid electric regional jets flying in India? Absolutely!The new product will enter service in the 2024 time frame and we expect it to last for 10-15 years of service. We expect significant orders for the new version and for the engine. Looking for potential customers in India for other opportunities.It seems that the Indian aviation industry has adopted some of the rules of ICAO and CORSIA, where starting 2027, 1% of fuel should be SAF, with some costly targets to avoid spending on ticket prices and fuel prices or government regulations. Whether the support can be passed through. Operator or a combination of the three remains to be seen, but it is true, the cost is a challenge.”Paul Finklestein, Director-Marketing, Pratt & Whitney

Airlines and countries are looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and although this approach can be costly, stakeholders are inclined to find a way to adapt to sustainability in the aviation sector.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), sustainable aviation fuel is any fuel that has the potential to generate fewer carbon emissions than conventional kerosene on a life-cycle basis.

Pratt & Whitney is working on the hybrid electric engine market in India

The concept of sustainable aviation fuel among Indian airlines is still in its infancy. So far, a handful of demonstration flights have been done by SpiceJet and IndiGo on blended fuels for low carbon emissions.

ALSO READ – IndiGo joins sustainable initiative spearheaded by the World Economic Forum

IndiGo had additionally taken delivery of an aircraft which ran on sustainable aviation fuel in February 2022. In December’s final 12 months, the airline signed a settlement with the Dehradun-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum to manufacture and deploy sustainable aviation gas globally.

(With Inputs from Mint)

An instrument Landing System (ILS) is defined as a precision runway approach aid based on two radio beams which together provide pilots with both vertical and horizontal guidance during an approach to land.

It uses a combination of radio signals to enable a safe landing even during challenging conditions such as low visibility.

The ILS system provides both course and altitude guidance to a specific runway. This system is used to execute a precision instrument approach procedure or precision approach. An instrument landing system (ILS) facility is a highly accurate and dependable means of navigating to the runway in IFR conditions.

The first ILS system tests began in the U.S.A. in 1929.

In weather conditions where the cloud ceiling is low and the visibility factors are bad, it enables the aircraft to approach the runway low and land safely with electronic devices.

It is the system that greatly facilitates the landing of pilots when visibility is very low, especially in foggy and snowy weather. This system is not required for airports established in flat and fog-free areas.

The airport where the ILS system will be located should have a geographical location that does not affect the broadcast performance of the system. The Signal generation area needs corrected terrain. The environmental terrain conditions of the location of the airport must be suitable.

The Instrument Landing System provides an approach path for the exact alignment and descent of an aircraft on the final approach to a runway. The pilot receives guidance information through a ground-based directional transmitter which is the localizer, providing horizontal guidance, and the glide-slope, providing vertical guidance.

ILSs are referred to as ‘Precision Approaches’ because it guides the aircraft both vertically and laterally.

How ILS Operates?

ILS works by beaming two radio transmissions of different frequencies up from the landing runway, one of 90 Hz and one of 150 Hz. A radio beacon called a localiser is normally built at the end of the runway with multiple pairs of directional antennas.

Localisers are responsible for the horizontal guidance of the aircraft. On the aircraft, an ILS receiver interprets the information and reports which side the aeroplane is situated on to allow the pilot to adjust accordingly. When both signals are overlapping, the aeroplane is flying perfectly down the centre of the course to the runway.

A glideslope antenna provides vertical guidance and operates the same as a localiser which is turned on its side. It also uses 90 Hz and 150 Hz frequencies which are interpreted by the ILS receiver on an aircraft.

ILS is a navigation assistance system that allows the aircraft to approach the runway with precision.

This is approximately 3 degrees to the horizon which gives the aircraft a descent rate of approximately 500 feet per minute. To align the aircraft to the runway centerline, the difference in depth of modulation is considered.

If all the Instrument Landing System components are available together with an approved approach mechanism, then the precision approach is executed by the pilot.

Advantages

This type of system approach is very accurate.It is used to help the pilot during the landing and approach of the aircraft.It helps the pilot to watch the runway and the airports when there is finite visibility.It helps to increase situational awareness and safety measures.It guides to the aircraft runway in both vertical and horizontal planes.

Disadvantages

Due to the localized, glide slope beams moving objects, vehicles, and other big reflecting objects produces interference, this generated interference reduces the directional signal’s strength.

ILS technology has been around for a long time. It remains the most common system used today, but there have been (and are) alternatives.

Aviation technologies are developing day by day and air transport is becoming the rapidly rising star of the transportation industry. Navigation and approach systems play a significant role in the safe flight and landing of the aircraft.

Satellite technology and GPS today provide a viable alternative, and several systems have been implemented. GPS-based systems are available in several regions as support for ILS navigation.

The Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted planned international services, caused Air India Express, which flies primarily between India and the Gulf states, to post a net loss for the first time in seven years.

According to the documents it submitted to the Registrar of Companies, the airline reported a net loss of Rs 72.33 crore in FY22 compared to a net profit of Rs 98.21 crore in FY21 (ROC).

On January 27 this year, Tata Group took control of Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. A merger between Air India and AirAsia India, another airline owned by the Tata group, is currently taking place.

Before FY22, Air India Express was in the red in FY15, when it posted a net loss of Rs 61 crore.

The second and third waves of the pandemic hampered market recovery, especially in the regional international markets—Air India Express’s mainstay—the airline claimed in its documents submitted to the RoC to explain the FY22 results.

Countries continued to have varying levels of travel restrictions during FY22, and the budget carrier mentioned that international flights continued to be conducted under VBM (Vande Bharat Mission) and air bubble arrangements.

"The airline, as such, continued with its business continuity measures, by shifting capacity in alignment with demand patterns, keeping a close watch on route profitability, continuing with cutbacks in employee salaries, and focusing on cargo.The quantum increase in cargo this fiscal year (FY22) is attributed primarily to the 300 plus cargo-in-cabin flights (P2C) that were operated during the lockdown period. Each P2C flight could carry a cargo payload of approximately 15 Tons."Air India Express

The pandemic forced India to suspend international flights from March 2020 to March 2022. As a result of Covid restrictions, the airline formed bilateral air bubble arrangements with several nations during these two years.

According to the carrier, these measures allowed the company to contain its net loss in FY22. During FY21, its parent company Air India, which has been losing money for many years, reported a net loss of Rs 9,556 crore.

Air India Express posts a net loss for the first time in 7 years

Due to travel restrictions and bans imposed by many countries during the second wave of the pandemic, Air India Express said that its passenger load factor of 59.9% in FY22 is "notable".

The company was able to contain its net loss to Rs 72.33 crore in FY22, the carrier mentioned. Its parent company Air India — which has been making losses for many years — reported a net loss of Rs 9,556 crore in FY21.

ALSO READ - Air India Express plans to add 4 Boeing 737 to keep up with rising demand

Air India Express operated 10,172 flights in FY22, of which only 190 were domestic services. There are 24 Boeing 737 planes in Air India Express' fleet. 

Air India Express has 24 Boeing 737 planes in its fleet.

ALSO READ - Air India Express plans massive international expansion in the next 5 years

It operates flights from India to 15 foreign cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras-Al-Khaimah, Al Ain, Muscat, Salalah, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

Its total income and total expenses were Rs 3,522 crore and Rs 3,251 crore, respectively, in FY22. With 2.29 million passengers transported by Air India Express in FY22 compared to 1.47 million in FY21, there was a 56% increase in passenger volume. During FY22, revenue from cargo carriage went up by about 58%, taking the net revenue to Rs 209 crore against Rs 132 crore for FY21.

(With Inputs from Business Standard)

In a major boost to 'Make in India' in defence, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to induct the indigenous light combat helicopter (LCH) at Jodhpur on October 3.

The new chopper getting inducted into the force is capable of aerial combat and will help the force combat slow-moving aircraft, drones and armoured columns during conflicts.

The induction ceremony will be led by Defence minister Rajnath Singh who has played a crucial role in progressing cases for buying indigenous platforms for forces.

LCH is on its maiden flight at the HAL Airport, Bangalore.

The helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is suited to perform the roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, taking on slow-moving aircraft, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations.

LCH has a narrow fuselage because of the tandem cockpit configuration for the pilot and co-pilot gunner. It has several stealth features, armour protection, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear for better survivability. LCH is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter designed and developed by the Defence public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

It is also an effective asset to counter slow-moving aircraft and Remotely-Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) and can be deployed in high-altitude bunker busting operations, and counter-insurgency operations both in the jungle and urban environments. It can effectively support ground forces in various combat scenarios.

IAF to induct 'Made in India' light combat helicopter (LCH) in October

Army Technology information indicates that this LCH made by HAL has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,500kg. It has a 2,600kg cargo capacity. The RWS-300 radar warning sensor, MAW-300 missile approach warning sensor, and LWS-310 laser warning sensor are all installed on the helicopter.

Up to eight Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag missiles) anti-tank guided missiles, four French MBDA Mistral short-range air-to-air missiles, or four rocket pods for 68mm/70mm rockets can be carried on its stub wings.

The automated cannon of this LCH can fire 750 rounds per minute across a useful range of 2,000 metres. Such features make it a formidable attack helicopter.

Army Technology information indicates that this LCH made by HAL has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,500kg. It has a 2,600kg cargo capacity.

Two HAL/ Turbomeca Ardiden 1H1 (Shakti) turboshaft engines power the HAL LCH. A maximum continuous power output of 1,067kW is claimed. Its 20-mm turret guns, mounted on its nose can rotate 110 degrees.

It also has self-sealing fuel tanks and bulletproof windshields, along with built-in crashworthiness of bottom structures, crew seats, fuel tanks, and landing gear. It is equipped with infrared suppression systems and flare and chaff dispensers.

Out of the 15, the Indian Air Force will get 10, and the Indian Army 5. The LCH is a dedicated combat helicopter designed and developed indigenously for the first time in India. It can land and take off from an altitude of 5,000 metres with weapons and fuel, the officials said.

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1509218738272292866

The choppers have been flown extensively in Ladakh and the desert sector to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

ALSO READ - In what can be termed a first, women pilots to fly Chinook supply sorties

The IAF has inducted multiple helicopters to its fleet in the last three-four years with the induction of the Chinooks, Apache attack helicopters and now the LCHs. The IAF is now also deploying women pilots in Chinook choppers carrying routine supply missions to the northern and eastern borders.

The defence ministry says that 45% of the value of LCH is made in India, and that number will rise over time to more than 55%. IAF and the army are expected to need a total of 160 LCHs, so HAL is likely to get more orders.

The helicopter will be deployed near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan in its first adventure.

LCH is on the government’s “positive indigenisation list,” which aims to ban the import of different types of weapons, systems, and ammunition over the next five to seven years to increase self-reliance in defence. In the last two years, the government has banned the import of 310 defence items by putting them on three different lists.

ALSO READ - Indian Army to get 6 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters

IAF has recently gotten 22 American heavy-duty Apache attack helicopters which are loaded with Hellfire and Stinger missiles. Apart from that we also employ the Russian Mi-17 V5 equipped with Israeli NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles.

Boeing said Tuesday, September 20 that about 150 jobs nationwide will be cut in the first batch of layoffs, with more to come next year and thereafter. The first layoff notices will go out in October.

Boeing told non-union corporate staff in an all-hands virtual meeting this month that it will begin outsourcing finance and accounting jobs to Tata Consultancy Services of India.

“The Finance team is planning for lower staffing levels as it simplifies processes, improves efficiency and shares select work with an outside partner,” Boeing said in a statement, adding that it “will assess future impacts as the process continues in the coming years.”

Boeing to outsource more corporate jobs to India; cuts 150 finance jobs in the US

“It was kind of a shock the way they rolled it out,” said one senior Boeing finance employee, who asked for anonymity to retain his job. “They had the all-hands enterprise meeting and then four days later everyone was moved into new organizations with new managers.”

Boeing’s finance group pre-pandemic consisted of about 6,000 employees companywide, according to the company. At least 1,000 are in the Puget Sound region, the finance employee said. The announcement has left many people hanging, wondering if their jobs will be among those cut but not knowing for sure.

“We’re trying to strike a balance, being as transparent as we can without getting ahead of the work that we still have to do,” a Boeing spokesman said. “We’ve been frank with employees that we do expect lower staffing levels within finance. As soon as we know the details, we’ll share those.”

Boeing will begin outsourcing finance and accounting jobs to Tata Consultancy Services of India.

This week, Tata managers began directly consulting with Boeing finance and accounting managers to identify the precise work statement the Indian company will take over. Once that’s pinned down, Boeing will notify the individuals who are to be laid off, including some management employees.

Before their departure, those employees will be asked to train the Tata personnel in Boeing procedures to smooth the handover of the work. The planned layoffs are part of a broad and concerted Boeing effort in recent years to cut non-union corporate jobs.

“Several of our corporate functions, including Information Technology and Finance, have implemented changes to streamline their operations, resulting in lower staffing levels” in those areas, Boeing said.

Boeing’s finance group pre-pandemic consisted of about 6,000 employees companywide

That push began with moves to get rid of IT work that could be done more cheaply elsewhere and was not seen as central to Boeing’s business.

In 2013, Boeing began cutting 1,500 IT positions in the Puget Sound region. Last year, it outsourced to Dell another batch of IT work, eliminating 600 jobs across the company. Several years ago Boeing outsourced a range of low-level finance work to Genpact, a multinational company founded in India and with a large presence in that country.

According to the senior Boeing finance employee, Tata will take over some of the Genpact work, though Genpact will continue to do some other work for Boeing.

Boeing’s new Chief Financial Officer Brian West, who joined the company in August last year, has intensified the focus on cutting financial and accounting jobs. In November, he appointed Amy Rodrigues to lead the finance and accounting team, with a telling extension to her title: vice president of finance and finance transformation.

In 2013, Boeing began cutting 1,500 IT positions in the Puget Sound region.

Boeing corporate refers to the transformation as streamlining. To the affected employees, it’s simply downsizing. The downsizing comes as Boeing is scrambling in a tight labour market to hire mechanics to build planes and engineers to design them after a severe round of front-line job cuts during the global pandemic.

Boeing cut just over 20,000 jobs in 2020 companywide — 15,000 of those in Washington state — as the pandemic hit its commercial airplane business hard. Last year, it cut a further 1,000 jobs in Washington state.

ALSO READ - Boeing all set to up the production of its 787 Dreamliners

This year, as air travel demand returned and Boeing started to ramp up 737 MAX production in Renton and poured engineering resources into fixing the problems on the Boeing B787-900 and various defence projects, the company finally began rehiring and adding back jobs, mostly in engineering and manufacturing.

This year, as air travel demand returned and Boeing started to ramp up 737 MAX production in Renton

ALSO READ - FAA to formalize tighter oversight of new aircraft designs following deadly Boeing 737 MAX crashes

In the aftermath of two 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pledged to scrutinize Boeing more closely and delegate fewer responsibilities to the company for aircraft certification. Last month, the U.S. government approved the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner for delivery in 2021.

ALSO READ - Boeing to resume 787 Dreamliner deliveries

Boeing halted deliveries in May 2021 after the FAA raised concerns about its proposed inspection method. In September 2020, the FAA said it was investigating manufacturing flaws in some 787 jetliners.

Taking the sting out of the relatively small number of white-collar layoffs ahead in finance, Boeing has “significantly increased hiring in engineering and manufacturing as market demand increases and we drive stability in production and invest in engineering and innovation.”

In September 2020, the FAA said it was investigating manufacturing flaws in some 787 jetliners.

“Overall, we have expanded the Boeing workforce by about 10,000 employees this year,” Boeing said. That still leaves Boeing down about 10,000 jobs relative to the workforce it had pre-pandemic.

Boeing in India

Boeing now has about 3,500 direct employees in India. The Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center in Bengaluru and Chennai undertakes complex advanced aerospace engineering work. Boeing has invested more than USD 200 million in the Bengalaru campus, its largest investment outside the United States.

The company has plans to develop an avionics manufacturing and assembly facility there — replacing an in-house capability that Boeing abandoned in 2003 and has been attempting to recreate since 2017.

Facing a shortage of engineers in the United States, and with its major engineering centre in Moscow closed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Boeing sees India as a key supplier of engineering talent.

Boeing this year named Tata Aerospace & Defense, India’s largest private aerospace manufacturer, a “2022 Supplier of the Year.”

Another 7,000 people in India are employed at Boeing’s suppliers, including the multinational conglomerate Tata Group, headquartered in Mumbai. Boeing this year named Tata Aerospace & Defense, India’s largest private aerospace manufacturer, a “2022 Supplier of the Year.”

ALSO READ - Boeing chose Tata Aerospace as its “Supplier of the Year”

That Tata division makes aircraft landing gear doors, vertical fins, floor beams, underwing and overwing panels, fuselages, secondary structures, and tail cones. A joint venture with Tata Group also produces AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages in Hyderabad for military customers around the globe.

ALSO READ - Tata to soon provide this part to Boeing for their 737 models

Tata Consultancy Services, the Tata Group subsidiary taking over the Boeing finance jobs, is a major IT and financial services consulting company with about 600,000 employees worldwide. Its market capitalization stands at USD 140 billion, 60% larger than Boeing’s.

(With Inputs from The Seattle Times)