Navy, Coast Guard receive Advanced Light Helicopters from HAL

Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), on the last day of the Aero India 2021 on Friday, handed over three Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk III) to the Indian Navy and two ALHs to the Indian Coast Guard as part of its 16 ALHs contract at the ongoing Aero India 2021.

The helicopters were handed over by R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL to Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff and K. Natarajan, DG, Coast Guard in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"The remaining helicopters are under various stages of production, flight tests and we plan to deliver them within the contract delivery schedule despite production slowdown caused by Covid restrictions," said Madhavan.

ALH has logged close to 3,00,000 cumulative flight hours and has proven its mettle in versatile operations.

The ALH Mk III is fitted with state-of-the-art glass cockpit and powerful Shakti engine. The contract involves integration of 19 major systems with the existing ALH MK III that include IFF MKXII & ATC Xpdr with ADS-B Out, V/UHF Communication System, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS-I), SAR Homer system, Automatic Deployable Emergency Locator Transmitter (ADELT), Loud Hailer, Radio altimeter, Rescue Basket, Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), IADS System, AFCS, Digital Video Recording System (SSDVR), Automatic Identification System (AIS), High Intensity Search Light (HISL), Pressure Refueling System, Control grips, EO POD Rev III, Surveillance Radar System and 12.7 mm Gun system.

Meanwhile, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from CEMILAC.

Madhavan said the thrust is being given by HAL for indigenous R&D programmes towards self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of Armed Forces. Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engg. and R&D), stated that, the performance of the basic helicopter in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory. HAL is currently in the phase of integrating and flight-testing mission role equipment on LUH. HAL is fully geared up to fulfill the requirements of the customers in time bound manner.

The LUH is a 3-ton class new generation single engine helicopter indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre of HAL with features suitable for operations in the diverse operating conditions unique to India. The LUH will replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah / Chetak helicopters operated by the Services.

The LUH is powered by a single turbo shaft engine Ardiden 1U from M/s. Safran Helicopter Engine (SHE), France with adequate power margins to accomplish high altitude missions in Himalayas with ease. LUH is equipped with Smart Cockpit Display System (Glass Cockpit), state-of-the-art HUMS (Health & Usage Monitoring System) and is designed for various utility and armed roles.

All certification activities like Ground testing, Ground Test Vehicle endurance runs, system testing, Flight testing including hot weather trials, cold weather trials, sea level trials and hot weather high altitude trials have been completed. Based on the flight trials carried out, all PJSQR requirements for basic helicopter certification have been complied satisfactorily