Pune: CSIR-NCL Collaborates with Indian Air Force for Advanced Oxygen Generation System in MiG-29 Aircraft
Pune, 3rd February 2025: CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force’s 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD), has resolved a critical issue related to the On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) of MiG-29 fighter aircraft. This initiative is a significant step toward enhancing operational safety and performance during high-altitude missions, aligning with the goals of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.’
The collaboration began in June 2023 at the request of 11 BRD and was initiated by Dr. Ashish Lele, Director CSIR-NCL and was led by Dr. Vijay Bokade, Head, Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry Division, CSIR-NCL along with Drs. Prashant Niphadkar, Nilesh Mali and Sachin Nandanwar as team members. The team successfully rejuvenated the zeolite material used in the OBOGS units, which are crucial for providing a continuous supply of oxygen to pilots during high altitudes operations. Over time, the zeolite’s effectiveness diminishes due to moisture exposure, leading to suboptimal oxygen generation.
CSIR-NCL developed an optimized rejuvenation process that significantly enhanced oxygen output in the OBOGS units. The process was scaled up to handle large quantities of zeolite, and multiple MiG-29 aircrafts have since been successfully deployed with rejuvenated units. These OBOGS units have logged considerable flight hours without any operational issues, setting a benchmark for indigenous solutions to technical challenges in defence aviation.
In April 2024, CSIR-NCL played a pivotal role in establishing a rejuvenation facility at 11 BRD to ensure sustainable and in-house maintenance of OBOGS units. As part of a long-term solution, the laboratory has also developed indigenous zeolite materials for MiG-29 aircraft. Joint efforts between CSIR-NCL and 11 BRD are now focused on completing ground trials of the indigenized zeolite with the concurrence of Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).
The qualification and certification of these indigenized zeolites for use in MiG-29 aircraft will mark a significant milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology, in line with the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister of India. This breakthrough reinforces the commitment of CSIR-NCL and the Indian Air Force to fostering innovation and technological advancements to meet national defence requirements.
