MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax-AVN) - Two IL-38 May planes of the Russian Navy aviation will be upgraded for the Indian Navy, a competent source in the Russian aircraft building industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"Having lost two planes last year, India is planning to procure and upgrade two planes from regular aircraft units of the Russian Navy," the source said.
He recalled that the Rosoboronexport state-owned arms trader, the Ilyushin aircraft corporation and the Indian Defense Ministry signed a USD205m worth agreement in September 2001 that provided for upgrading five IL-38 planes.
According to the source, the five Mays have been in the inventory of Indian Navy Air Squadron 315 since 1977.
The upgraded IL-38N plane with the mock-up of the Novella (Sea Snake) search, sighting and navigation system performed its maiden flight in spring 2001. State tests of the system have been in progress since November 2002. They are to be completed before the end of the year. Most of the Russian Navy aviation's IL-38 plans are to be upgraded to the IL-38N level at the 20th aircraft repair plant in the town of Pushkin near St. Petersburg.
Novella was designed specially for naval aviation. It is capable of detecting aerial targets at a distance of up to 90km and surface targets at a distance of up to 320km. The system tracks 32 targets on the water surface and above it simultaneously. The asset is used for conducting radar intelligence above, on and under the sea surface, as well as for aerial intelligence and target indication.
Novella consists of a digital computer with control positions for two operators, each fitted with a 13-inch LCD, and the commander position fitted with a larger LCD. "All components are linked through special wires. This solution makes it possible to integrate any equipment on the customer's request," the source stressed.
According to data from open sources, Russia's Northern Fleet has 10 IL-38 planes in its inventory, the Pacific Fleet has 15 planes, and the Combat Training and Retraining Center of the Russian Navy Aviation at the airbase in the town of Ostrov, Pskov region, has several more planes.