Indian University Students Showcase Disaster Relief Module Designs for Indian Air Force

Strategic Insights -

Indian university students have presented innovative design concepts for disaster relief operations as part of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Roll-On/Roll-Off University Design Challenge. The challenge, launched in November 2014, is aimed at developing unique solutions to enhance the versatility of the C-130 fleet, which spans 16 nations worldwide. The students, from five leading Indian universities, have showcased their designs to Indian Air Force officials, highlighting the potential for disaster relief modules on the C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five Indian universities, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Chennai, Delhi Technological University (DTU), University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), and Birla Institute of Technological Studies (BITS) Pilani-Goa Campus, participated in the C-130J Super Hercules Roll-On/Roll-Off University Design Challenge.
  • The students developed design specifications for proposed modules that could be used on C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with a focus on disaster relief operations.
  • The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which have played a crucial role in recent disaster relief operations, including the Uttrakhand floods and Nepal Earthquake.
  • Lockheed Martin provided research grants for each university team to work with local industry partners and mentors from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the design specifications.
  • Three teams will be awarded a second-year grant in 2016 to develop a prototype of their module and additional mentoring to develop a go-to-market strategy.

Statistics:

  • Almost 2,500 C-130s have been delivered to operators around the world.
  • The Indian Air Force is contracted to receive an additional six C-130Js through a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. government.
  • Lockheed Martin's annual net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
  • The C-130 has a built-in ramp that allows cargo or mission system modules to be literally rolled-on and off, allowing for cargo areas to be reconfigured anywhere in a matter of hours without requiring major design modifications.

Sources:

  • M2 PRESSWIRE-August 26, 2015-: Indian University Students Participate In C-130J Super Hercules Roll-On/Roll-Off Competition; Participants showcase disaster relief module designs to Indian Air Force Officials