SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is focusing on indigenizing key systems and equipment to improve operational efficiency and self-reliance. One of the latest initiatives is the indigenization of a Portable Battery-Operated Towing Aggregate (PBOTA), a critical system used for maneuvering helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The ICG is inviting private sector companies to participate in the development of an improved version of the PBOTA, which offers enhanced portability, reduced weight, and greater ease of use, specifically for deployment on ships and various operational platforms.
The existing PBOTA systems, currently in use by the ICG, are essential for moving rotary-wing aircraft in and out of hangars on board ships, or across airport aprons. These systems are vital for ensuring the safe and efficient positioning of aircraft, especially in environments where space and mobility are constrained, such as aboard ships or remote airbases.
However, the current PBOTA, weighing approximately 1950 kg with dimensions of 1.78 m X 2.56 m X 0.35 m, poses significant challenges in terms of portability. Despite being classified as “portable,” the size and weight of the equipment make its transportation a cumbersome task, especially when moving it between ships or other platforms.
The Indian Coast Guard is seeking a solution that can reduce the weight and dimensions of the PBOTA without compromising its functionality. This will allow for easier handling, especially on afloat platforms where space is limited, and weight is a crucial factor.
Key Objectives for Indigenization
The ICG’s objective is to develop an indigenized PBOTA with equivalent or better technical specifications that addresses the challenges posed by the current system. Some of the key requirements for the new PBOTA include:
Battery-operated and Efficient: The system should remain battery-operated, ensuring clean energy usage and the ability to operate independently of external power sources, which is particularly important for maritime and remote operations.
Reduction in Weight and Size: The primary goal is to make the PBOTA more compact and lighter, improving its portability and ease of transport, particularly in shipboard environments. The new design should ensure that the system can be transported more easily, enhancing its operational flexibility.
Multi-functional Capabilities: The PBOTA or Multi Aircraft Nose Tail Interface System-Remote Aircraft Mover (MANTIS-RAM) should maintain or improve its current capabilities of maneuvering aircraft while also being able to transport ship’s stores, heavy cables, and ground support equipment. A robust flat-top deck will enable these additional functionalities, making the equipment even more versatile in various operational scenarios.
Ease of Use: The indigenized version should focus on user-friendly operation, enabling quick and efficient movement of aircraft with minimal crew involvement. Given the space constraints on ships and airports, the system must also offer high precision in maneuvering.
Adaptability for Afloat Platforms: The newly developed PBOTA must be optimized for use on afloat platforms, ensuring ease of deployment and retraction in naval environments where conditions can be harsh and unpredictable.
The ICG is particularly interested in solutions that integrate modern materials to reduce weight, advanced battery technologies for improved efficiency, and modular designs to ensure versatility. Additionally, the system should be rugged enough to endure harsh environmental conditions at sea and at remote airfields, while still maintaining reliability and durability over extended periods of operation.
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