Sep 9 2010
Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that the Air Force Net (AFNET), the backbone of the networked warfare capability (NCW) system, will become functional in a few days.
This will bring advanced NCW to the Air force. AFNET is an optical fiber based network over which the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) will function.
Once the AFNET becomes functional, the IAF will connect all of its space, air and ground assets quickly, for having a total situational awareness of a region. The IACCS will offer connectivity for all the ground platforms and airborne platforms, as a part of the network centricity of IAF. The IACCS also facilitates real-time transport of images, data and voice, amongst satellites, aircraft, and ground stations.
The NCW, developed by the US Department of Defence, depends on the networking communications technology and computer processing power, to offer shared details amongst the armed forces.
The IAF had earlier bought the Israeli Phalcon airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), which is the AFNET’s air link. The AWACS is a key force multiplier that will offer advance information to the IAF, whenever an enemy plane takes off. In March 2004, India had signed an agreement with Israel for the supply of three AWACS. India is building AWACS on its own using the Embraer platform, and it will also order three more AWACS.