NASSCOM LAUNCHED THE “INNOVATE FOR INDIA CHALLENGE

NASSCOM LAUNCHED THE “INNOVATE FOR INDIA CHALLENGE”

Delhi, 4 March, 2015 - In a significant endorsement to the Indian IT-BPM industry‟s glorious journey over the past two decades, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi today joined the National Association of Software and Services Companies(NASSCOM) in its ceremony marking the silver jubilee celebrations of the industry. Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad and Minister of State for Finance Sh. Jayant Sinha, also joined the occasion along with IT-BPM industry stalwarts to envision the future of the industry and maximize its contribution to the growth of the Indian economy.

NASSCOM SPECIAL AWARDS WINERS :

• Awards to NASSCOM founding members – Harish Mehta, Ashank Desai, KV Ramani, Saurabh Srivastava
• Game Changers – N Vittal, Former Secretary- IT, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Late Sh. Dewang Mehta
• Leading IT Company for 25 years – Tata Consultancy Services
• Entrepreneur who shaped the industry – N R Narayana Murthy
• Corporate Citizen – Azim Premji
• NextGen Entrepreneurs - Naveen Tiwari (InMobi), Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal), Ambiga Dhiraj & Vijay Shekhar Sharma (One97 Communications)

On the occasion, Prime Minister also facilitated NASSCOM‟s founding members and select individuals for their outstanding contribution in shaping NASSCOM and the industry over the past 25 years. The event was marked by in-depth insights of industry leaders with Shri. Ravishankar Prasad and Shri Jayant Sinha on the Union Budget 2015 highlighting the growth opportunities for the industry while discussing suggestions for implementation of policy matters, concerns on proposed provisions and issues to be addressed.

To mark the completion of 25 years and engage the citizens of the country to build solutions for India‟s challenges, NASSCOM launched the “The Innovate for India Challenge”. The initiative aims to enable India to become a country with the highest number of innovative ideas for the common people. The challenge will catalyze innovation, inspire the youth and help communicate the right solutions that will be channelized for adoption by government and corporates.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi said, “The IT industry in India has come a long way and NASSCOM has been at the core of this journey. According to me NASSCOM isn‟t just an organisation but a revolution, and I congratulate NASSCOM and the industry in playing a vital role in making India a technology powerhouse. However, times are constantly changing, and as we look ahead at the next 25 years, we all recognize that the future will be very different. Far reaching impacts of technology, the digital native workforce, the changing customer expectations and the burgeoning start-up revolution, will all ensure that the next technological revolutionary product will emerge from India. I am sure NASSCOM and the IT Industry will continue to spearhead this movement.”

Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “It is truly a momentous occasion for NASSCOM and I am honoured to join the Prime Minister to celebrate its successful journey over the last 25 years of NASSCOM. The IT-BPM sector and NASSCOM have played a vital role in creating a phenomenal impact on the Indian economy by evangelizing the aspiration of the youth in the country, demonstrating India‟s intellectual ability and entrepreneurship capability globally. I am positive that with NASSCOM‟s continued guidance and Industry‟s contribution towards government initiatives like Digital India, Make in India and Skill India, we will successfully build a renewed „Brand India‟ and take the industry to greater heights.”

This initiative by NASSCOM and the government will leverage innovation on a large scale and enable technology innovations to address India‟s untapped potential. The expansive vision that the government has chalked out, be it Make in India, Digital India, 100 Smart Cities, Skilling India, Digital literacy, Jan Dhan Yojna and the likes, all have IT at the core. The advancement in technology will continue to bind India‟s future and achieve audacious goals to change the world for the better. This is an opportune moment for the industry to work collaboratively with the government and assist in nation-building towards realizing the digital India dream.

Italian Air Force becomes the launch customer of Piaggio Aerospace P.1HH Unmanned Aerial System

Abu Dhabi, UAE February 26, 2015 -The Italian Air Force will be the launch customer of the P.1HH HammerHead Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), a state-of-the-art multipurpose UAS designed and developed by Piaggio Aerospace.

This decision was announced at IDEX 2015 in Abu Dhabi in presence of the Italian Air Force Chief, Lt. Gen. Pasquale Preziosa. Piaggio Aerospace will deliver three UAS systems – 6 air vehicles and 3 ground control stations – complete with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration to the Italian Air Force in early 2016.

Speaking on the ocassion Mr. Carlo Logli, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace, said, “We are truly delighted about this decision. It confirms the strong partnership we have with the Italian Air Force and showcases the P.1HH as one of the most advanced systems to enter the market. We are grateful for the continued support of our partner Finmeccanica-Selex ES, the Italian Ministry of Defence, our shareholders and the valuable teamwork with the Italian hi-tech industry”. The P.1HH platform is a derivative of the very successful Piaggio Aerospace P.180, the fastest twin turboprop aircraft in the world, with a proven service record of over 20 years and more than 800,000 flight hours.

The P.1HH HammerHead is designed with a variety of operational capabilities that can be tailored to specific customer requirements, enabling the UAS to perform a wide range of ISR missions.

Developed in partnership with Finmeccanica-Selex ES, the P.1HH HammerHead UAS is currently going through a comprehensive development and certification flight test campaign, conducted at the Trapani Birgi Italian Air Force base.

VOLGA-DNEPR MOVES EXPRESS AM7 AND AM8 SATELLITES TO BAIKONUR COSMODROME FOR LAUNCH

London, UK, 19 March 2015 -  Volga-Dnepr Airlines delivered the Russian telecommunications satellites Express AM7 and Express AM8 to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in Kazakhstan.

The AM7 satellite has been successfully launched today and the AM8 satellite is scheduled for launch on April 6. 

Flights carrying the satellites operated from Toulouse in France and from the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk using a special shipping container to safely transport the cargoes onboard Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ An-124-100 freighter. To keep the delicate and highly-precise equipment safe, Volga-Dnepr’s experts ensured the cargo hold was maintained at very specific pressure and temperature levels throughout the flights, and the flight also operated at a lower altitude of 32,000 feet. Special loading equipment developed by the airline was also used to ensure safe loading and offloading.

The Express AM7 and AM8 satellites have been manufactured on behalf of the Russian Satellite Communications Company. Express AM7 was made in France by Airbus DS, while the AM8 satellite was built by the Reshetnev Company in Russia, a leading manufacturer of information satellite systems. The telecommunications satellites will provide high quality landline and mobile telephone services and also support digital video and radio broadcasting, high-speed Internet access (HSIA) and data transmission.

In 2014, aerospace cargoes represented 42% of Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ charter business, growing by 50% year-on-year. Volga-Dnepr delivers one in three of all satellites in the world. In 2015 to date, the airline has operated seven flights delivering space equipment.

AE 3007 powering todays reconnaissance aircraft

Calcutta, 19 March, 2015 – The AE 3007 turbofan core is derived from the AE 1107 engine and is the 8,000 lbf thrust class. Initially developed to create a turbofan member of the AE common core family for the growing regional jet and medium/large business jet markets, further development created a growth version for military aircraft applications.

The AE 3007 turbofan engine is a high bypass, two shaft engine featuring a wide-chord single-stage low pressure( LP) compressor, 14-stage high pressure(HP) compressor followed by effusion-cooled annular combustor, two stage high pressure (HP) turbine and a three stage low pressure(LP) turbine.

A single AE 3007H engine allows the Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global hawk to fly at 65,000 feet providing the fuel efficiency required as well as the electrical power necessary to fly surveillance missions up to 30 hours at altitudes over 11 fly miles high. The system has already proven itself over the skies of Afghanistan and Iraq. Triton a high altitude unmanned aircraft is also providing power to fly surveillance missions up to 24 hours at altitude over 10 miles high.

Two AE 3007A1P engines power the Embraer 145 special version aircraft used for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Aerospace, Defense and Marine Unit Announces Expanded Relationship with Wesco Aircraft

HARRISBURG, Paris, March 17, 2015 – TE Connectivity a world leader in connectivity recently announcd an expanded distributor relationship with Wesco Aircraft Holdings, Inc. Wesco Aircraft’s previous agreement included the aerospace, defense and marine (AD&M) high performance relay products and DEUTSCH products. Now, it has been expanded to include the AD&M mil/aero connectors and Raychem harness protection products (engineered polymer solutions, EPS).

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Frank Breslin, Vice President of Sales, TE Connectivity, Global Aerospace, Defense & Marine  said “The TE Aerospace, Defense and Marine Business unit is pleased to expand our relationship with Wesco Aircraft; we value our relationship with Wesco and are excited to expand our portfolio with them”.

“Wesco Aircraft’s extensive market presence with commercial and military aerospace customers will help strengthen TE’s ability to engage the growing opportunities and demands of customers in these important market segments.” he added

Wesco Aircraft is one of the world’s largest distributors and providers of comprehensive supply chain management services to the global aerospace industry. The company’s services range from traditional distribution to the management of supplier relationships, quality assurance, kitting, just-in-time delivery and point-of-use inventory management. The company believes it offers one of the world’s broadest inventories of aerospace products, comprised of more than 575,000 active stock keeping units, including hardware, bearings, tools, electronic components, machined parts and chemicals. Wesco Aircraft has more than 2,700 employees across 80 locations in 19 countries

To learn more about Wesco Aircraft  visit www.wescoair.com. 

End-to-end holistic Cyber defense solution

Kolkata 14 March,2015 - As an answer to the ever-growing domain of Cyber warfare and its strategic threat to critical infrastructure of governments and national bodies, Rafael announces the Cyber Dome – a patent-based one-of-a-kind holistic suite of Cyber defense solutions.

The Cyber Dome architecture is composed of multiple layers of defense solutions, starting from the traditional ones like firewalls, antivirus etc., and up to the most complex ones like unique technology for handling multi classification information and SCADA systems.

The Cyber Dome suite

The Cyber Dome suite is built of several domains to implement a holistic defense solution covering all customer needs. Rafael solution is custom-fit to these needs with Cyber Dome and integrates the different domains within it with unique and tailor-made software and hardware solutions.

Network infrastructure

Cyber Dome offers comprehensive network defense solutions based on proprietary traffic filtering capabilities. The solution is based on in-house expertise of networking, protocols and building proprietary networking solutions (hardware and software).

Computer infrastructure

End-to-end tailored advanced solution for devices that includes traditional solutions with additional special hardening techniques and advanced technology that can handle APT and zero day vulnerabilities.

Data

Cyber Dome contains a variety of products that covers the data domain with new approach to IT security. Rafael has a complete secure platform for transferring all kinds of files, unique standard files and multiple kinds of streaming data with different classification from secure to non secure zones and vice versa. The solution provides tools for managing the information from the stage of entering the company through the classification process inside the company and up to handling it till the information leaves the company.

Management

Cyber Dome management is based on Rafael's knowhow of monitoring, C2 (command and control) and simulation systems. The management domain includes several aspects:

·       Management tools for monitoring, alerting and response

·       Cyber HQ infrastructure for online management

·       Cyber Range for training testing and simulation

Embraer Executive Jets delivers first Legacy 500 in Australia

Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, February 9, 2015 – Embraer Executive Jets recently announced the delivery of the new Legacy 500 midsize jet to an undisclosed customer based in North Queensland , Australia. The aircraft will be used primarily for business purposes, and the purposes and the purchase was negotiated by Norris Aviation Services Australia on behalf of the buyer. The Legacy 500 was awarded type certification from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in January of this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Marco Tulio Pellegrini , President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets, said “The Legacy 500 is providing itself to be a very capable executive jet and well suited to the Australia market. It offers excellent field performance and easy transcontinental range.” We are grateful for the for the confidence that this customer has placed in Embraer and we are fully committed to supporting their operations.”

“The Owner is an astute businessman who carefully selected the Legacy 500 after reviewing all the aircraft in this class, said Peter Norris, M.D. of Norris Aviation Services Austalia Pvt. Ltd. “In the end, safety, clean sheet design, advanced systems, excellent performance, quiet comfortable cabin and professional presentation and support by Embraer made the Legacy 500 the only logical choice.”

To support the operation of the Legacy 500 in the Australasia region, Embraer Executive Jets has authorized Execujet to provide maintenance for the Legacy 500 in Australia. This is in addition to the existing maintence capability it has to support the Phenom 100, Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 customers. Hawker Pacific in Singapore is also authorized to provide full maintence support to legacy 500 customers. In addition Embraer has a regional distribution centre in Singapore which has ready stock of spare inventory including parts for the Legacy 500.

India and Russia MOU sign Fifth generation fighter aircraft R & D contract this year

Bengaluru 20 March, 2015 - India and Russia have generally agreed upon the amount and division of work during the research and development (R & D) stage of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) project. A contract for the R & D phase is being prepared and is expected to be signed this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yuli Slyusar, President and Chairman of the Management Board of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) at  Aero India 2015 in Bangalore on February 19 while addressing a press conference along with the heads of JSC IRKUT Corporation, Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG and JSC Sukhoi Company.

The export version of  the 5^th generation fighter, the perspective multi-functional fighter (PMF-FGFA) is being created in partnership with the Republic of India. The Russian and Indian parties have generally agreed on the work share of each party.

India and Russia are working out the pre-contract documentation related to the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). The preliminary design of the aircraft has been completed in 2014. The next milestone for 2015 is to hold the preliminary design acceptance procedure. To boost the program and to provide assistance to Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd. joint venture this year Russia and India have created a steering committee. 

Russia is keen to partner with Indian industry on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) program, a 100-seat new generation regional jet. As of February 2015, more than 40 SSJ100 have been delivered. The aircraft in service is being operated more than 75000 flight hours totally for more than 52000 revenue flights. Mr. Slyusar stated that UAC is ready to transfer the success of cooperation in the military segment  to the commercial one, delegating the production of some components to the Indian manufacturers. He also noted that the UAC is ready to discuss the establishment of the SSJ100 customization  centers in India.

The MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB multirole carrier fighters are developed and serially produced by JSC RAC MiG, a subsidiary of UAC. The single seat MiG-29K and the double seat MiG-29KUB are fully unified in their avionics installation and frame construction. So far 33 aircraft have been delivered to India. Six more are expected to be delivered this year and six more in 2016.  

United Aircraft Corporation is took part in Aero India 2015

Bengaluru 20 March, 2015 - The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is taking part in the 10^th edition air show Aero India 2015. The air show is being held under the aegis of the major Indian infrastructural program “Make in India”, is being held in Bengaluru in February 18 to 22. The “Make in India” initiative is designated to facilitate the access of foreign investments into the national market and to boost the growth of hi-tech businesses invarious segments of the economy, including aerospace.

Russia and India have been strategic partners in aerospace. Throughout the collaboration with India, Russia has not been just a mere supplier of ready-made aircraft solutions. Together with the Indian industry we’ve been successfully implementing a number of license production programs. Highly estimating the engineering and manufacturing potential of the Indian aerospace industry, today the UAC, together with our Indian colleagues make a significant step further, shifting to the joint design and development of the most advanced products – the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). To provide better after sales support to our customers - the Indian Air Forces and the Indian Navy – the UAC is planning to develop the collaboration with India involving private businesses.

The UAC is intended to expand the cooperation into the commercial aviation segment. For the first time at Aero India 2015 the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in VIP-configuration will demonstrated at the static display.

“Being highly interested in broadening the collaboration with our partners, we are ready to negotiate with the Indian industry the options of cooperation on our commercial programs. A work group on cooperation in commercial aviation has been set up within the framework of the Russian-Indian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The UAC has developed a road map and submitted it to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India. Paying special attention to the subject, during the air show we plan to proceed with the dialogue with the Indian side”, - stated Yury Slyusar, the President of the UAC.

At the air show at the Hall A, booth 3.1 the UAC will also showcase the models of the corporation’s product viz, Su-30MKI, MiG-35, Yak-130, FGFA, Be-200, MTA and Il-112. 

The FGFA model is also going to be demonstrated at the HAL’s booth.

Russia keen to cooperate with Indian industry in MC-21 commercial airliner project

Bengaluru 18 March, 2015 - IRKUT Corporation well-known in India as the manufacturer of Su-30MKI fighters, plans to produce its MC-21-300 airliner by the end of 2015. A maiden flight of this new plane is scheduled for 2016, while deliveries of first batch to customers are being planned for 2018.

India might be of potential interest for the MC-21 project to develop a family of 150-200 seat airliners, which offer higher return on investment than competing aircraft operating in India. The issue of India-Russia cooperation in civil aviation was discussed in November 2014 during the visit of Mr. Dmitry Rogozin, deputy of the Russian prime minister to New Delhi.

Mr. Oleg Demchenko, President of IRKUT Corporation, believes that collaboration within the MC-21 Program with Indian manufacturers could be as fruitful as one within the Su-30MKI Program. “In terms of performance, economy and comfort, the MC-21 will outperform other planes of the same category. It has a set of innovations which have never been deployed in single-aisle aircraft. MC-21 is being developed as cooperation between Russian and foreign companies.” The MC-21 makes extensive use of lightweight composite materials which improve the plane’s aerodynamics significantly and decreases its weight. 

The development of a family of airliners with 150 – 200 seat capacity is a major project of Russia in civil aviation. Its main target is to enter a market of the most numerous niche of single-aisle aircraft.