AEPL : Turning Challenges into Growth Opportunities

AEPL : Turning Challenges into Growth Opportunities "Two Decades of Excellance"

R. Sundaram

CEO & MD, Aerospace Engineers Aerospace Engineers Pvt Ltd (AEPL) is a technology driven company designing, developing and Manufacturing Components and Sub-Systems in the domain of Elastomers,

Composites, Metallic and Electro Mechanical products. Incorporated a little over 3 decades ago, AEPL has developed and delivered in adequate quantities, Mission Critical products like Canopy Seals, Rotary Mast Seals, Actuators, Fuel / Oil handling Valves, Pumps & High-Pressure Hoses, Rubber Fuel Tanks for several Fighter Aircraft, rotary winged aircraft as well as UAVs both indigenously developed as well as manufactured under License Agreement by HAL like HAWK, Su-30-MKI, MIG, LCA to name a few. AEPL is a DRDO Qualified Manufacturing Partner for several critical Missile sub-systems like AKASH (Variants), BRAHMOS, LRSAM and some classified weapon systems including those deployed Under Water.

Armed with the Domain Knowledge and Skills

gathered over decades, AEPL carved out a dedicated R&D Division with a team of around 20 Specialists headed by a Full Time General Manager and given a mandate to Design, Develop and Qualify Critical Air-Borne and Under Water systems both BTS and BTP. This team is supported by subject Matter Experts drawn from Academia (IITs and NITs) and Industry (HAL and DRDO).

AEPL is an AS9100 Rev-D (including ISO 9001) certified company. A ZED Gold Rating company, AEPL is CEMILAC certified for Design and Special Processes, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, DGAQA, NADCAP

2019 was a year of fulfilment when Aerospace Engineers signed a contract for Transfer of Technology to manufacture Aerospace components and compounds to Egyptian Armament Authority through a Government to Government contract.

and is also a DGCS certified Production Organisation (POE) to CAR-21 (ITSO C-150 DGCA Certified for aircraft seals). AEPL has now achieved the CE Marking as well.

AEPL developed more than 122 types Rubber Compound which are duly approved by CEMILAC meeting Airworthiness and International Specification

Mr R. Sundaram, MD & CEO founded Elastomeric Engineers in Salem Tamilnadu in the year 1988 primarily to manufacture and supply elastomer parts to BHEL, NTPC, ONGC, NLC and Defence. In 1993 the company expanded its manufacturing base to include O-rings, Canopy Seal (Kiran), Gaskets and Seals among others for helicopters and aircraft for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In the year 2000 Mr R. Sundaram founded Aerospace Engineers in Salem to manufacture and supply components for the Aerospace Sector. The Salem Aeropark was launched in Jan 2011 at Mallur, National Highway 7, Salem Tamilnadu where both the companies are housed and continue to function at the same premises. With the announcement of the South Defence Corridor, AEPL set up a second unit in Hosur, Tamil Nadu

The year 2014 saw AEPL take up new challenges in the domain of manufacturing of Composite / Metallic Parts & Assemblies for the various Missile programs of DRDO which later went into series production with BDL. The next major step was taken in 2017 when Aerospace Engineers entered into the Wind mills sector and Department of Atomic energy for supply of rubber moulded parts and assemblies. 2020 - the year of the pandemic which brought the world to a grinding halt to stop and look for out of the box solutions. As part of fight against COVID-19, Govt of India tasked BEL to mass manufacture Ventilators CV-200 with DEBEL (DRDO) as the design acceptance authority. DRDO / BEL tasked Aerospace Engineers as a single vendor to indigenously develop more than 75 types of health care components like rubber molded components, rubber hose assemblies, rubber with metal bonded, metallic fittings, metallic assemblies, manufacturing brackets, plastic components which were hitherto imported. APEL rose to the occasion and successfully delivered 30,000 set of Components (75 types of components each) for the Ventilators and compressors within the demanded schedule and to the required specification, all produced in house while the country was under the Government imposed lock down.

AEPL perfected the art of manufacturing Rocasin Rubber Sheet for Rocket Motor lining for Space Rockets as well as for Missile Applications, under Transfer of Technology from ISRO. Using the skills and domain knowledge in the field of Rubber Technology, AEPL

took ToT from DRDO for CFF Hose for oxygen system and Underwater Diving mask.

To achieve these milestones, AEPL over the years established infrastructure, prominent among them being: • DMG class CNC Machines Turning Centre, Milling Centre, 3,4,5 axis Turn Mill and Mill Turn Centres (Max. upto dia.1200X1000mm 5 axis Mill Turn, 2.2mX0.9m VMC, Dia.500mm X700mm Turn Mill),etc.,) • Compression moulding automatic hydraulic presses 25 to 500 ton capacity • Rubber injection moulding presses having range of 160 & 250 tonne. • FOD free rubber products manufacturing shop for civil aviation applications. • NABL accredited testing laboratories including hose testing • NADCAP approved Surface Treatment Plant • Autoclaves • Co-ordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) • Profile Projector

• Video Measuring Machine • Dye & Fluorescent Penetrant test • Oscillating Disc Rheometer. • Ultrasonic Testing Machine. • Resin content test • Ozone chamber • Flammability tester

With a Work Force of _300_ Employees, AEPL has 16 Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Engineers, Two NDT Level II Inspectors and 2 Certified Welders. The Average age of Engineers is about 30 Years.

Through this journey, AEPL has received several awards prominent among them being • 2014 – DRDO Excellence National Level Award for “Defence Technology Absorption”, awarded by our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in the presence of Defence and Finance Minister • 2016 - National Level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in INNOVATION 2014” awarded by our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India • 2020 – National level Award in MSMEs – “OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP” awarded by the Hon’ble Union Ministers of India. • 2020 – National level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in LEAN MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES” awarded by the Hon’ble Union Ministers of India • 2017 – National level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in QUALITY PRODUCTS-2015” • 2020 - DRDO Excellence Award “CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP AWARD” for Indigenization of Flexible

(Rubber) Fuel Tank for TAPAS UAV Programme.

In response to the Clarion Call given by our Honourable Prime Minister towards achieving an Atmanirbhar Bharat, AEPL has taken up Indigenous Design, Development, Manufacture and Servicing of a variety of Actuators, Valves, Pumps, High Pressure Hoses, Rubber Fuel Tanks, Gear Box from Various Divisions of HAL and DRDO against development orders. Some of these products are successfully delivered duly certified by CEMILAC and DGAQA. AEPL has simultaneously engaged in development of Air Borne sub-systems under the MAKE-II policy, Overhauling of LRU’s, Sub-system of Engines, Gear Box, Actuators, Pumps, Blowers, Landing gears etc. AEPL has developed the capability to take up indigenous development of Linear and Rotary Electro Mechanical Actuators among other sub-systems for the Missile programs.

AEPL strongly believes in diversification. AEPL is taking dedicated strides into the space of autonomous UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) that can be programmed to perform various tasks like surveillance and inspections. Latest developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning are being leveraged to enable smart, modular and scalable deployments across the Indian Defense forces. Active R & D is being conducted towards small sized low cost swarm drone technology for ISR activities. Having experience in Structural part manufacturing, composite parts and actuation systems, actions are taken for the design, development and manufacturing of Sub-assemblies for UAVs. Rubber Fuel Tanks and some of the Frame machining activities, etc. for UAV is already developed. Development of Composite body is also underway in the Hosur near Bangalore unit (UAV division). • 2007 – 2008 – District level “Best Industries Award” by

Government of Tamilnadu. • 2008 – 2009 – State level “Best Quality and Export Award” by

Government of Tamilnadu. • 2011 – “Excellence in Aerospace Indigenisation” by Hindustan

Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Society of Indian Aerospace

Technologies and Industries (SIATI) for Indigenous Development of Lubrication Oil pump for Helicopters. • 2014 – DRDO Excellence National Level Award for “Defence

Technology Absorption”, awarded by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in the presence of Defence and Finance Minister. • 2015 – National Level “Skoch Achiever Platinum Award 2015” conferred on AEPL by Mr. Jayant Sinha, Hon’ble Finance Minister. • 2016 – CII “Innovative Businessman Award 2016” conferred on

Shri. R. Sundaram, Managing Director & Founder • 2016 – CII South India Award – “Southern Region Emerging

Entrepreneur Award 2015”. • 2016 - National level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in

INNOVATION 2014” awarded by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of

India. • 2016 – CII “Industrial Innovation Award” 2016 • 2017 – National level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in QUALITY

PRODUCTS-2015” • 2018 – AIMA - “Best Creativity & Innovation Award - 2018” • 2019 – MMA Award for “Managerial Excellence – 2019” • 2019 – IEI recognition Award for “EMINENCE AND CONTRIBUTION

TO THE PROFESSION OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING” • 2019 – IEI Centenary “INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARD – 2019” • 2020– National level Award in MSMEs – “OUTSTANDING

ENTREPRENEURSHIP” awarded by the Hon’ble Union Ministers of

India. • 2020 – National level Award in MSMEs – “FIRST PRIZE in LEAN

MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES” awarded by the Hon’ble Union

Ministers of India. • 2021 – DRDO Excellence Award “CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP

AWARD” for Indigenization of Flexible (Rubber) Fuel Tank for

TAPAS UAV Programme.

IAI Completes WindGuard Radar System Deliveries to the US Military

• Received the Leonardo DRS award for 100% on-time delivery performance • As part of the Trophy active protection system, nearly 400 radar systems will be integrated into the US Army’s Abrams tanks

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), has supplied several hundred WindGuard (ELM-2133) radar systems to DRS Land Systems for the US Army’s Abrams tanks.

The combat-proven radars are installed on IDF’s Merkava battle tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers to protect the crews. The WindGuard is a state of the art, phased array Radar which continuously scans the volume around the platform in search of anti-tank threats, including rockets, guided missiles and anti-tank shells. Once a threat is detected, it tracks it and guides the countermeasure system to intercept and neutralize it before the platform is hit.

After becoming operational in 2009 as part of the Trophy active protection system, WindGuard recorded multiple successful operations in combat environments. For their efforts, the system’s developers received the Israel Defense Prize.

Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA, said, “The strategic partnership between Israel and the USA is reflected in IAI’s commitment to providing our American customers with the most advanced systems to protect their troops in the field. We are pleased that DRS Land Systems and the US Army were satisfied with our ability to meet their shipment schedule. ELTA attaches the utmost importance to completing the project successfully and will continue to collaborate closely with our American customers in the future.”

Aaron Hankins, Executive VP and General Manager of Leonardo DRS Land Systems line of business, said, “Achieving 100% on-time delivery performance in the immensely challenging environment of the past year is nothing short of amazing. Elta’s commitment to the program and to our mutual customers has been exemplary, and we look forward to more success in the future.”

IAI/ELTA is a global leader in remote sensing and RADAR systems, offering a product portfolio that includes mission aircraft, national cybersecurity administration, intelligence platforms, autonomous platforms, anti-drone systems, homeland defense solutions, and more.

HENSOLDT UK launches SPEXER 600 ground based surveillance radar

HENSOLDT UK launched the SPEXER 600 multimission, X-Band ground based surveillance radar utilising our world beating SharpEye solid state transceiver technology.

Building upon the excellent pedigree of well-established HENSOLDT products and technologies, SPEXER 600 complements the SPEXER family of Active Electronically Scanned Array or AESA radars, offering a cost effective and truly crew portable field deployable solution.

Designed to meet user requirements to detect multiple threats in the modern battlefield or security environment, it offers a number of modes allowing multiple functions to be carried out by a single radar sensor. The built in tracker reduces the need for additional electronic units, making it a lightweight, crew portable unit that can be set up in a few minutes. In fixed installations, the low weight allows it to be installed without any specialist masts or structures.

Controlled either locally or remotely from a command centre, SPEXER 600 can be easily networked with other sensors.

“SPEXER 600 from HENSOLDT UK is the solution for today’s complex operational needs on the battlefield, or in securing the nations critical infrastructure against multiple threats”, stated Adrian Pilbeam, Head of Sales – Ground and Maritime Surveillance Radar.

UAE exempt International participants at IDEX 2021 from quarantine

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), the organiser of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021), held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from 21-25 February, has received approval from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre for all badge holders to be exempted from the 10-day quarantine procedure on their arrival into Abu Dhabi.

This step has been taken to facilitate the arrival of international delegations from all over the world. International visitors to the UAE must present their event badge, printed on A4 paper, at any border, to be exempted from the quarantine, and they will not be required to wear tracking wristbands. Detailed protocols to facilitate the entry of delegations and support their participation, are being finalised in collaboration with relevant authorities in the UAE, and an update will be published on a later stage.

Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, part of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Through our decision to exempt participants of the IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions from the quarantine period, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is keen to promote business activity in the emirate. We worked closely with ADNEC as a strategic partner throughout the pandemic on a number of initiatives that ensured the health of the community. Accordingly, we are confident of their ability to implement rigorous precautionary measures including the necessary PCR tests that ensure the health and safety of visitors and exhibitors attending this event.

“Participants exempt from quarantine procedures still must observe the strict guidelines in place before entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In doing so, they will ensure the implementation of preventative measures, safeguarding the highest standards of health and safety for all residents.”

“We will co-ordinate extensively with authorities to facilitate the entry of participants to the conference, supporting their attendance by preserving the health of those around them,” Al Nuaimi concluded.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, commented: “This exemption demonstrates how IDEX and NAVDEX are leading the recovery of business activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it will showcase how Abu Dhabi continues to lead as a regional capital for the business tourism sector. We maintain our support to welcome the world, once again, in spite of the ongoing global conditions caused by the pandemic.”

Al Dhaheri added: “This stride demonstrates the UAE’s and ADNEC’s robust range of flexible infrastructure and operational capabilities, capable of safely organising a global megaevent. Since the beginning of the pandemic, stringent precautionary and safety measures have been our foremost priority.

“This exemption has been enabled by the continued cooperation and support from our strategic partners and stakeholders. Such support has allowed us to continue to strengthen the position of this event, building on its success and continuing to attract a wider range of visitors and exhibitors. In attracting such a high calibre of international companies, IDEX and NAVDEX will continue to showcase the latest developments in the defence sector.”

Through the IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference, ADNEC aims to attract global expertise in the land, sea, and air defence industries, localising knowledge in the UAE. The 15th edition of the IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions is a distinguished global platform which highlights the national defence sector and its infrastructure. Further, the exhibitions will showcase the latest in cuttingedge technology in these sectors, following the global innovation trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

A wide raft of health and safety measures have been designed and implemented across IDEX 2021, NAVDEX 2021 and the International Defence Conference, ensuring the safety of all participants. All those attending will be required to follow the social distancing measures and the wearing of face masks is being mandated across exhibition facilities, ensuring the safety of all attending the events.

LT GEN CP Mohanty takes over as Vice Chief of the Indian Army

Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM assumed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 01 February 2021.

An alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lt Gen CP Mohanty was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on 12 Jun 1982. In a career spanning four decades, the General officer served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles and tenanted a host of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. He commanded a battalion on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and later in the North East. He has the unique distinction of commanding two brigades: first on the Line of Actual Control and later, the multinational UN Brigade in Democratic Republic of Congo. He later commanded the Rangiya based Division in a counter insurgency environment and the Sikkim based Trishakti Corps immediately after the Doklam incident.

An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Higher Defence Management Course Secunderabad and the National Defence College New Delhi, the General Officer’s staff and instructional assignments include an instructional tenure at NDA, Brigade Major of an Armoured Brigade, Military Advisor in Seychelles, Colonel Military Secretary (Selection) in the MS Branch, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) of a Corps in the Eastern Theatre and Director General, Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement.

Lt Gen CP Mohanty takes over the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from Lt Gen SK Saini who superannuated on 31 January 2021 after completing four decades of illustrious career in the Army.

BIRD Aerosystems and HENSOLDT sign contract for Multi-Mode Radar

BIRD will customize its RCD (Radar Control and Display) system and MSIS mission management system to enable enhanced user capabilities tailored for the specific operational requirements of HENSOLDT’s PrecISR™ advanced multi-mode radar users

BIRD Aerosystems, the leading developer of Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and Airborne Surveillance, Information, and Observation (ASIO) solutions, has received a follow-on contract to develop additional advanced capabilities for its RCD (Radar Control and Display) that controls HENSOLDT’ PrecISR™ advanced multi-mode radar family.

After successfully completing the first phase of development and customization of the RCD to the PrecISR™ earlier this year, the next phase of development has been agreed upon by the companies and will include developing specific and more advanced capabilities tailored for HENSOLDT customers.

The new capabilities to be implemented by the RCD include, for example, Dynamic SAR imagery footprints, control of multi-layered data visualization, and enhanced real-time radar information and status. Furthermore, the RCD system will be integrated with additional surveillance sensors used by the customers along with the HENSOLDT Radar (e.g., AIS and others).

The follow-on contract and the new capabilities that will be developed under this contract are all focused on customizing the RCD for new customers and programs. BIRD will also provide an ILS package that includes RCD training and system documentation, to be provided to HENSOLDT and its Customers.

Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founder at BIRD Aerosystems: “We are delighted that HENSOLDT has once again put their trust in BIRD to further develop the RCD for their Radar Customers, expressing their satisfaction from BIRD’s advanced Mission Management System that proved to be highly efficient in reducing mission crew workload. Our experienced team of engineers is working hard to ensure that BIRD’s RCD, which is now the default control interface of HENSOLDT PrecISR™, will be ideal for the specific needs of the end-customers.”

DRDO handed over products developed by CVRDE to users

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai, a DRDO laboratory has handed over the Retractable Landing Gear Systems for Tapas and SWiFT UAVs and 18 types of filters for P-75 Submarine to the users.

CVRDE has indigenously designed and developed Three Ton Retractable Landing Gear (RLG) Systems for Tapas UAV. The design, development and testing of this gear system is carried out in co-ordination with CEMILAC and DGAQA for certification. The tricycle nose wheel type multidisciplinary, hydro-electro-mechanical system is now being manufactured by an Industry at Coimbatore. First set of Retractable Landing Gear system developed by industry was handed over by Director CVRDE, Chennai to the Director, ADE Bengaluru.

CVRDE has also designed and developed One Ton Retractable Landing Gear System for a different class of UAV known as SWiFT. This system is designed and developed for accommodating the Landing Gears within the constrained bay volume. It is manufactured with the help of Indian industry with due inspection and certification of CEMILAC and DGAQA. This system was also handed over to ADE, Bengaluru.

Eighteen types of indigenously developed hydraulic, lubrication, seawater and fuel filters for P-75 Submarine were designed and developed by CVRDE. These filters are now being manufactured with the help of Indian Industries based at Hyderabad and Chennai. This indigenization project was funded by DRDO and Navy jointly and the technology is successfully transferred to the industry. Two sets of these filters, duly qualified by DQA (N), were handed over to Indian Navy.

Dr. Kalanithi Veeraswamy, Parliamentary Standing Committee Member for Defence, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman DRDO and PK Mehta, DG (ACE) attended the event.

Dr Satheesh Reddy highlighted the importance of indigenous design efforts and complimented the industries who have established the manufacturing facilities for making these critical components.

Rafael demonstrates Tactical Radio & Sensor-to-Shooter to German Army

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. announces that it has completed the second phase of Germany's Transparent Battlefield study and performed a demonstration of its BNET advanced SDR communication and its Fire Weaver sensor to shooter system for the German Army. The event took place in Paderborn, Germany, in November 2020, in front of representatives from the Bundeswehr and various partners and industries.

The Second Phase demonstration of the Transparent Battlefield study included live traffic from the Aeronautics Pegasus Drone, along with the Fire Weaver Sensor-to-Shooter system, all carried over the BNET advanced Software Defined Radio (BNET HandHeld and BNET Vehicular). The demo was hosted by Atos Information GmbH, which acts as the prime contractor for the Transparent Battlefield Study, and included its C2 software as an integral part of the demo. BNET is a Spectrum-Aware SDR – utilizing the spectral arena of the battlefield to the fullest in a cognitive way, using Multi-frequency Channel Reception (MCR), which enables it to receive and analyze information from numerous frequency channels, simultaneously, using a single RF head.

Fire Weaver is a networked sensor to shooter system which provides the tactical forces with a GPS-independent geo-pixel-based tactical common language among all the sensors and shooters, providing optimal situational awareness and improved understanding of the battlefield. Fire Weaver uses Rafael’s advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, processes the battle data, analyzes it, and prioritizes fire allocation.

As was published in December 2019, Rafael has partnered with Atos Information GmbH on a project involving the creation of a program named "Transparent Battlefield", in which unmanned aerial systems and combat vehicles are used to create a 3D picture of mobile operations in realtime. The work will be performed for the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support. Following the completion of the first and second phases, further phases are expected to take place in the coming years.