A mysterious aircraft was spotted onboard Indian Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant as the vessel completed 4th phase of sea trials. In a photograph, three wheels were snapped aboard the carrier in the background of an indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
The three wheels looked like they were made to resemble the wheelbase of a fighter jet. They were supporting an airframe that looked like the wireframe replica of a deck crew aircraft in Indian service – Mig 29k. The Indian Navy currently uses Russian-made MiG-29K multirole fighter for carrier operations on INS Vikramaditya.
According to Eurasian Times, a wireframe is a skeletal blueprint or framework that outlines the basic design and functions of an aircraft and is not like a typical mock-up or prototype made of a solid airframe. A wireframe is a 3D design and looks clear or transparent instead of completely resembling the aircraft.
Carrier deck crews potentially use the flimsy wireframe for training drills requiring movement across the deck, in and out of the launch and recovery areas, the elevators, and inside the carrier’s hangar bay.
IAC Vikrant Completes Sea Trials
Indigenous Aircraft Carrier #Vikrant successfully completed 4th phase of Sea Trials
Integrated trials of major eqpt & systems, incl key aviation eqpt undertaken with further enhancement in performance, towards delivery of the largest indigenous warship in #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/Kv3OlUJuV9— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 10, 2022
Meanwhile, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, successfully completed its fourth phase of sea trials on Sunday, the Indian Navy said. The 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 1 – will be called INS Vikrant once it joins the Indian Navy.
The INS Vikrant is reportedly 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and 59 metres high. The ship comprises of 14 decks in total, five of which are located in the superstructure. It has 2,300 compartments and can accommodate a crew of around 1,700 sailors. The carrier is designed to accommodate women officers and special cabins have been created for this purpose.
Once commissioned, IAC-1 will operate Russian-made MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters.
An Indian Navy statement said the ship will provide an “incomparable military instrument with its ability to project Air Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, offensive and defensive Counter-Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.
