AFCAT General Awareness & Military Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of an aircraft's 'transponder'?
- To transmit identification and altitude information to ground radar (Correct answer)
- To detect enemy radar signals
- To control the aircraft's autopilot system
- To communicate between crew members
Correct answer: To transmit identification and altitude information to ground radar
A transponder transmits a coded signal in response to an interrogating radar, providing identification and altitude data to air traffic control.
Question 2: Operation Vijay (1999) was the Indian military operation to recapture positions in which region?
- Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir (Correct answer)
- Siachen Glacier
- Aksai Chin
- Doklam
Correct answer: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir
Operation Vijay was the Indian military operation launched in 1999 to recapture strategic positions in the Kargil district of Jammu & Kashmir from Pakistani infiltrators.
Question 3: Which international treaty bans the development, production, and stockpiling of chemical weapons?
- Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) (Correct answer)
- Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
- Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
Correct answer: Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), enforced by the OPCW, prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.
Question 4: The term 'G-force' in aviation refers to:
- The force of gravity multiplied by acceleration experienced by a pilot (Correct answer)
- The maximum fuel capacity of a fighter jet
- The guidance frequency used in missile targeting
- The glide ratio of an aircraft in unpowered flight
Correct answer: The force of gravity multiplied by acceleration experienced by a pilot
G-force measures the acceleration a pilot experiences relative to gravitational force; high G-forces during maneuvers can cause blackouts.
Question 5: Which IAF aircraft is known as 'The Flying Fortress' for its strategic airlift capability?
- C-17 Globemaster III (Correct answer)
- IL-76
- An-32
- C-130J Super Hercules
Correct answer: C-17 Globemaster III
The C-17 Globemaster III is the IAF's largest transport aircraft, capable of strategic airlift of heavy equipment and troops over long distances.
Question 6: What is the meaning of 'TACAN' in military aviation navigation?
- Tactical Air Navigation (Correct answer)
- Target Acquisition and Control Network
- Terrain Avoidance and Collision Alert Network
- Tactical Aircraft Control and Navigation
Correct answer: Tactical Air Navigation
TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) is a navigation system used by military aircraft to determine bearing and distance from a ground station.
Question 7: The Indian Air Force's motto 'Nabha Sparsham Deeptam' is derived from which ancient text?
- Bhagavad Gita (Correct answer)
- Rigveda
- Arthashastra
- Mahabharata
Correct answer: Bhagavad Gita
The IAF motto 'Nabha Sparsham Deeptam' (Touch the Sky with Glory) is taken from Chapter 11, verse 24 of the Bhagavad Gita.
AFCAT General Awareness & Military Knowledge 5
What is the primary function of an aircraft's 'transponder'?