Cdr Arun Ravindranathan ( Retd) IN

Experience

• 

  Indian Navy

  May 2003 - May 2016

  Head of Department of Avionics testing, repair and maintenance facility onboard Aircraft Carrier facilitating maintenance and repairs of fighter aircraft as well as attack Helicopters deployed from the Aircraft carrier. Headed a motivated team of over 50 qualified aircraft maintainers competent in extending support to embarking aircrafts when deployed at sea and to aviation assets of all ships of western naval fleet during deployments. Experienced in providing last mile logistics connectivity and store requirements for embarking aircrafts to be deployed for extended durations from base. Operationalised the digital connectivity of logistic network utilising satellite communication for last mile logistic connectivity of aviation assets while deployed at sea. Undertook extensive deep level repairs on Naval Helicopters at sea, to clear defects not resolved even by HAL and other shore based units. Instrumental in the accounting of stores as well as aviation equipment and their suitable relocation to other unit, prior to the planned drawdown of the aircraft carrier. Show less Head of Department ( Electrical Systems) of an operational Indian Naval warship, responsible for operating and maintaining ships Electrical systems that include Power generation, Power distribution, Navigational and Communication systems, Steering gear system, Emergency Power systems etc. The appointment included a four month planned ship overall that included major work (Short Refit) on all systems and a extended deployment post refit for Anti piracy operations at Gulf of Aden for a continuous period of over 5 months, wherein the systems were kept in optimum working condition without any technical support availability. Awarded the trophy for the maximum days at sea amongst all ships of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy. Show less Head of electrical and avionics team at the only embarking fighter squadron of the Indian navy, maintaining one of the kind Sea Harrier jump jets. Ensured extended operational tempo with availability of all sensors so as to operate independently from the aircraft carrier. Enhanced sensor capability ensured outstanding performance of the squadron whilst operating with the Indian Air Force at TACDE. Operated with multi national forces specially the French Navy and ensured a seamless cross deck landing of the aircraft for the first time on a French aircraft carrier. Deputy Technical Head of the Trainer squadron for aircraft carrier operations. Instrumental in training of pilots for embarked air operations from the aircraft carrier. Deputy manager for aircraft production, with responsibility of production of Islander aircrafts for handing over to Myanmar Navy as goodwill gesture. Show less

  • Chief Engineering Officer (Avionics)

    Oct 2014 - May 2016

  • Head of Department (Electrical Systems)

    Mar 2013 - Oct 2014

  • Deputy Chief Engineering Officer (Avionics Repair facility)

    Mar 2012 - Mar 2013

  • Operations Manager (Avionics)

    May 2003 - Mar 2012
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  INDIAN COAST GUARD

  May 2016 - Jun 2017

  Head of Department ( Electrical Systems)

  Inter service Deputation from the Indian Navy to the Coast guard as the Head of Department ( Electrical Systems), of the new generation off shore patrol vessel, employed in anti smuggling, coastal surveillance and assistance to the Indian Navy during conflict situation as well as protection of natural gas and oil platforms off the western coast of India. The appointment included overall incharge of the team involved in the maintenance and operations of power generation and distribution system including the emergency power systems and backups, Navigational and Communication systems, weapon systems, Steering gear system, boarding party insertion boats as well as maintenance of all other electrical systems and equipments onboard. The duties also included the HRM of a crew of coast guard officers, Yantriks and Naviks, with different policy's from that of the Indian Navy. Instrumental in the drawn down of extensive work package for the planned major overhaul schedule (Normal Refit - NR) encompassing repair and overhaul of ships electrical systems to ensure extended operational availability post the overhaul. Show less

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  Indian Navy

  Jun 2017 - Oct 2021

  Head of Avionics repair, servicing, testing, design and development team at the largest Aviation MRO of the Indian Navy. Handled more than 120 men and women, both uniformed and civilians employed directly in specialised workshops that house facility for repair and testing of aircraft instruments, power generation systems, rotary systems, mission computers, radio and radar systems, navigational systems, generator test benches, flying probe testers, automatic test equipments (ATEs), specialised electroplating facilities for aircraft grade materials, aircraft battery maintenance, overhaul and testing facility, specialised deep level PCB repair and design facility along with repair and testing of aero engine torque measuring systems. Planned and executed the setting up of a 3d printing prototype centre to design and develop prototypes for aeronautic components. Formulated repair schemes and test procedures as well as set up test benches for testing of Avionics components being repaired for the first time at the MRO. Head of the team involved in design, testing and QA clearances of aero grade PCBs and commercial systems with clearances as per aeronautical standards. Head of the team for repair of critical avionics components of Military aircrafts of Navy, Coast Guard, Indian Airforce, HAL and systems of surface combat ships, that are not supported by the equipment manufacturers. Chief designer of aircraft museum set up at the MRO highlighting various achievements in 60 yrs of establishment. Provided extensive support to Healthcare centres and professionals during Covid-19 pandemic by 3d printing of face masks and face shields during lockdown and the design of Air Evacuation Pods, that were used to transport Covid patients, with many being exported to friendly foreign countries and other Indian govt and state organisations. Show less Head of Avionic team involved in repair, testing and maintenance of ship borne attack helicopters, operating from the only helicopter base of the Indian Navy. Head of a team of over 100 uniformed personnel involved in avionics repair and testing, with extensive range of test equipment's as well as specialised Automatic Test Sets utilized for testing of aircraft components. Provided aviation support to all ships of the western Naval fleet in terms of repair of components and inspection clearances. to ensure seamless aviation operations. Team lead for the weapon integration trials on attack helicopters with extensive interactions with OEM stakeholders like HAL, BDL, Leonardo Helicopters. Responsible for the conduct of Aeronautical QA and audit and inspection of Major Helicopter operating unit of the Western Naval Command. Head of disaster recovery site of the Integrated Logistic Management System ( ILMS) that caters for the logistic management of naval aviation. Technical lead for the planning and design of a new Naval air station with complete requirements for technical facilities and plan for aircraft basing. Show less

  • Chief Manager Avionics

    Jul 2018 - Oct 2021

  • Chief Engineering Officer

    Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
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  Aeronautical Development Agency

  Oct 2021 - Dec 2023

  Joint Director

  Selected as the SME for maintainability aspects of the design of new generation deck borne fighters for the Indian Navy, as well as to guide the design team in design of avionics systems.