The Indian Air Force has come out with an innovative solution “Vayulink” that would help pilots to deal with bad weather and also provide them jammer-proof uninterrupted communication with the base station.
The data link communication uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that is also known as NAVIC, to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low, an IAF officer involved in the project said.
VAYULINK
Known as ‘Vayulink’, the data link communication uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that is also known as NAVIC, to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low.
“Vayulink is an ad-hoc data link communication system, which when installed in an aircraft, gives the position of other aircrafts close by, encrypted traffic data over a secured channel,” Wing Commander Vishal Mishra told PTI.
The important aspect of the technological solution is that it prevents fratricide or friendly fire, the IAF officer said.
When the planes are flying close to any friendly forces on ground during a combat situation, the aircraft display gives the position of such forces on the ground including tanks and troops beneath, the IAF officer said.
The IAF has put up a gallery on Vayulink to provide information about its platform at the India Pavilion in the ongoing Aero India 2023.
Advantage
“The advantage of the system is when Pilot are going into combat, it prevents fratricide. It means, Pilot are able to know where our ground forces are present,” IAF officer said.
The Vayulink system also prevents aircraft collision, provides better combat teaming and helps plan real-time basis where multiple teams can get together and go towards the target coming from different areas, Wing Commander Mishra pointed out.
Vayulink is helpful for the Air Force, Army and Navy, while it can be given to government services as well since the technology has been made by the Indian Air Force.
IAF Claimed Vayulink has been developed by the IAF only and it is a very secure system.
What is NAVIC?
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland.
Source: Times of India, The Print, Business Standard
