INDIA GETS ITS AERIAL TRACTOR TARGET

1.   Background.       The Indian Combat Helicopter has an air to air mode for its turret gun. An aerial target was used during training and trials. However during the trials critical drawbacks were noticed in the currently available aerial target rendering it unsuitable for being used as an aerial target for the purpose of air to air mode of firing. There was a longstanding requirement of a suitable aerial target as the currently available targets fell short of the requirements. 

2.   ACHUK Mk 1 Aerial Target.  The aforesaid difficulties were addressed by the team of two enthusiastic flight test engineers of HAL, Bangalore and ARMY. Another enthusiastic friend joined midway between the project implementation. This has resulted in development of a tractor towing the aerial target. The team addressed the critical drawbacks for developing a suitable tractor which should:-  

a)      tow a realistic target.

b)      have recording facility for debrief.

c)       be safe when flying with a manned aircraft.

d)      be easily controllable and reprogrammable.

e)      be small for ease of transportation (foldable, man portable, light).

f)   not require a runway or helipad to take off and land and can be operated from a field.

g)       be low cost and easily maintainable.

3.  Execution, Trials and Operation.   AHCUK Mk 1 was designed based on the defined requirements by the three enthusiasts. Prototype was build and trials were carried out at a field of an acquaintance. The team funded the prototype and tested it over a period of three months. The target was assessed by HAL experts on 06 Jul 2023.  

5.    Conclusion. 

Pictures of ACHUK  Mk 1 Aerial Tractor (blurred in pic) Target with Combat Helicopter 

JEEVARATHANI FOUNDATION AND DRONE

Jeevarathni Foundation  - is a home for destitutes and holds an annual Jevarathni Run for fun and to inculcate camaraderie, habit of physical fitness and mindfullness in the Jeevarathni children. The run is attended by friends of Jeevarathni Foundation. One can read more about it here JEEVARATHNI FOUNDATION

This time the run was covered by a hexadrone which was remotely controlled by pre programme and having a GO PRO camera. Actually the drone was develeoped as a carrier of aerial target but was used here to demonstrate multi use of the drone. 

The drone was made by Army enthusiasts and Mr Awesh. 

The picture of the drone used is here 

AERIAL TARGETS

Aerial targets are those targets which are used by ground based guns, naval armament fitted on ships or guns fitted on attack helicopters or airships. 

The factors that govern the aerial targets are mostly the requirement of the gun or armament mounted on ships, land based systems or attack helicopters.

There are many aerial targets available like Banshee or NGAT they are propelled by turbine engines or are drone based. 

There are not many aerial targets when it comes to gun as the gun requires the target to be big enough to be capable of getting captured by a suitable camera! Only then it can be effectively  tracked and fired upon. 

Swaman Achuk has a solution for such an aerial target - ACHUK

 

ACHUK	OTHER TARGET
Target size bigger (Approx 3 times)	Target size around 10 ft x 18 inches
Target speed less  - VMAX 100 kmph and VBE 75- 80 kmph	Target speed aprox 75 - 100 kmph
Less probabilities of multiple reflections due to bigger target size	Multiple reflections due to smaller target size
More probability of getting laser returns due to bigger target	Less probability of getting laser returns due to smaller target and difficulty in acquiring
AGL upto 150 m	AGL upto 150 m
No cost – as this is concept proving exercise	Associated costs are there
Operation by ground handler – but fully autonomous tracing predefined GPS path – lat long available in decimal format.	Operation by ground handler not capable of tracing predefined path – lat long not available for debrief.
Endurance  - 15 min	Endurance – 15 min
Radius of action around 1.5 km	Radius of action similar
Safety measure – programmed to drop down if command is lost or battery is low	Safety measure – no built in safety measures
Time to start the operation  - 10 min	Time to start the operation – one hour
Unit can handle operate and fly	Special handler is required for flying the PTA
A ground controller tablet as controller, telemetry and debrief station	Debrief station not available
The speed of the target available in the tab logs	Not available for analysis

 

HEAVEN BESIDES THE SEA

24 inch x 18 inch Oil on Canvas Painting...

CORAL REEF FISH HAVEN

 An acrylic on canvas 3 feet by 2 feet depicting the CORAL REEF LIFE under sea - 

TREE TRUNK - SUCCULENT PLANT DISPLAY

A cut tree trunk was spotted while driving. 

White ants had made their home inside the trunk and made it hollow. I picked it up. It was cleaned and was treated with anti termite spray. 

The tree trunk was varnished, polished. 

A 10 mm thick glass was fitted on top of the trunk with rubber vacuum holders.

 

The hollow part was used to lit up with an electric bulb. 

The abondand tree trunk was transformed into a Succulent Plant Display. The succulent display is by the better half  who develops and takes care of the garden. 

JUST CLICK ON THE LINK AND YOU WILL SEE THE TRANSFORMATION 

TRANSFORMATION OF A TREE TRUNK

In the similar manner see this

Some more .....

GARDEN CHAIR WEAVING (PARACHORD OR PLASTIC WIRE NETTING)

This was the chair to be salvaged. 

The old netting was stripped out. It was cleaned and and painted with a coat of black paint.  

A para chord was bought (it comes by weight and cheap - around 200 rs per kg). It is wound on a make shift bobbin. This bobbin is important so that it can be meshed back and forth with ease. 

Before the meshing, a black parachord was wound at four courners of the base and back to make the area a rectangle so as to make meshing easy. Every where a constriction knot was used to have a firm long lasting knot.  

Once the corners done, the white parachord was meshed in a manner to have the chord running over the back base pipe and under the back base pipe evenly so as to get a tight base. 

The bobbin came handy to work swiftly without parachord getting entangled while going over and under the base and back pipes. 

The scale was used to separate the over and under para chords. so that the cross black para chord could be woven back and forth easily.

The result is here!! 

Cost of new chair - 3000 - 3500 rs

Cost of old chair given to refurbish (for weaving only!!)  - 2500 rs

Cost of old chair if refurbished at home (as hobby)  - 250 rs.

You have to decide how you are going to spend your time. 

I prefer the third option (critics will always roast me for not contributing to the nations economy though !!!!!)