HAL Dhruv
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| Dhruv | |
|---|---|
 An Indian Army Dhruv |
|
| Type | Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Maiden flight | 1992 |
| Introduced | 2002 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy Nepalese Army Air Service |
| Produced | 80+166 on order[1] |
| Unit cost | Rs 30-35 crore (basic) |
| Variants | HAL Light Combat Helicopter |
The HAL Dhruv (Sanskrit: "Pole Star") is a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is currently being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces, and a civilian variant is also available. The type has been exported to Nepal and Israel , and is currently being considered by Bolivia and Peru. Specialised military variants include anti-submarine warfare machines and helicopter gunships[2]
Contents |
[edit] Development
Hindustan's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) programme was first announced in November 1984, but progress was slow. Even after the first prototype flew in August 1992, problems arose due to the changing demands of the Indian military, funding, and contractual issues with Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, which was the consultant for design. Further delay was caused by U.S. sanctions after Indian nuclear tests in 1998, which embargoed the engine originally intended to power the helicopter. Then the helicopter used Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft producing 746 kW (1000 SHP) each and an agreement was signed with Turbomeca to develop a more powerful engine.
A Weapon System Integrated (WSI) Dhruv is under development for the Indian Military services. It will have stub wings fitted to carry up to eight anti-armour missiles, four air-to-air missiles or four rocket pods for 70mm and 68mm rockets. The WSI variant will also have FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared), CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera and a target acquisition system with thermal sight and laser rangefinder.
In December 2006, Nexter Systems (formerly Giat) was awarded a contract for the installation of the THL 20 20mm gun turret on the first 20 Indian forces Dhruv helicopters. The turret is armed with the M621 low-recoil cannon and is combined with a helmet-mounted sight.[3]
The helicopter was fitted with the more powerful Shakti engine developed jointly by HAL and Turbomeca, and now entering production.[4] The first test flight of the Dhruv with the new engine and the weaponised version took place on 16 August 2007.[5] The naval version of the helicopter is fitted with the Mihir dunking SONAR[6] which is integrated with the Helicopter Fire Control System.[7]
[edit] Operational History
Deliveries of the Dhruv commenced in 2002, a full ten years after the prototype's first flight, and nearly twenty years after the programme was initiated. The Indian Coast Guard became the first service to induct Dhruv helicopters into service. This was followed by induction by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. Seventy five Dhruvs were delivered to the Indian armed forces by 2007 and the plan is to produce forty helicopters yearly. One of only three helicopter display teams in the world, the Sarang aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force performs with four Dhruv helicopters.
The Dhruv is capable of flying at very high altitudes, a crucial requirement for the Army, which requires helicopters for operations in Siachen Glacier and Kashmir. In September 2007, the Dhruv was cleared for High-altitude flying in the Siachen Sector after six-month long trials.[8][9]. In October 2007, a Dhruv flew to an altitude of 27,500 ft ASL in Siachen. This was the highest that the Dhruv had flown, and was higher than the 25,000 ft record set by an IAF Cheetah helicopter in 2005.[10]
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is believed to be close to securing an order to supply 12 advanced light helicopter (ALH) ambulances to the armed forces. HAL Dhruv ambulances will have all the emergency medical equipment for the treatment of injured soldiers. The HAL Dhruv ambulances will be used by the Armed Forces’ Medical Services.[11]
[edit] Civilian Service
HAL also produces a civilian variant of the Dhruv for various functions- VIP Transport, Rescue, Policing, Offshore Operations and air-ambulance role, among others.[12] The interiors of the VIP Transport version has been designed by reputed Automobile Designer Dilip Chhabria.[13]
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has placed an order for 12 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Chief Test Pilot Wg Cdr Upadhyay said the helicopters will have top-of-the-line medical infrastructure, including ventilators and two stretchers.[14]
Other buyers include the Geological Survey of India (GSI) (1 Helicopter), ONGC for its offshore operations, as well as various state governments for VIP transport and policing.[15].
[edit] Foreign Sales
The Dhruv's low-cost & high-performance has elicited interest from many countries, especially for use in High-Altitude regions.
Chile had issued an RFP for 5.5 tonne, twin engined new generation helicopter and the Dhruv participating in the competition. HAL had conducted a live demonstration of Dhruv equipped with advanced cockpit, electronic warfare suite and surveillance pod in Chile. Four Dhruv choppers were involved in a wide range of applications for evaluation with the demonstration clocking a total of 107 hours. It flew to high altitudes, hot and desert conditions, carried out ship deck landing at Valparaiso, search and rescue at 12,500 ft above mean sea level at a temperature of 2° C as well as long distance ferry flights. However, Bell 412 won this contract[16] allegedly due to arm twisting by the United States government.[17] HAL will also sign an agreement with Bolivia for two Dhruv helicopters.[18] Peru has also shown interest in the Dhruv.[19] The Dhruv is also being offered to Turkey and Malaysia.
Countries like Turkey, Chile, Venezuela and Bolivia have also shown interest in the civilian variant of the Dhruv[20]. Flight certification for Europe and North America is also being planned, in order to tap the large civilian market there.
India is also reportedly planning to sell Dhruvs to Myanmar. This led to protests from Amnesty International, who pointed to the use of components sourced from European suppliers as a possible violation of the EU Arms Embargo of Myanmar.[21] In a letter to the President of the EU Council of Ministers, Amnesty stated that it had evidence that India planned to transfer two Dhruvs (with European components) to Burma.[22]. An unknown source in the government replied that “India does give defense hardware support to Myanmar but the equipment is not offensive … and not its top of the line technology”.[23]
A further order for 166 helicopters were placed with HAL since the helicopter is working well in higher altitude areas with the Indian Army.[24]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Civil operators
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Chattisgarh State Government
- Jharkhand State Government for VIP transportation & Police
- Karnataka State Government for VIP transportation
- Geological Survey of India (GSI) (on order)
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) (on order)
[edit] Incidents
- In November 2004, one of the two HAL Dhruvs sold to the Royal Nepal Army experienced a hard landing, which damaged its undercarriage and landing gear. The damage was subsequently repaired by a team from HAL.[26]
- On November 25, 2005, an ALH which was being ferried for delivery to the Jharkhand government had a hard landing near Hyderabad the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, though none of the occupants was harmed. In a statement, HAL said, "In a recent incident, when the tail rotor of one Dhruv developed some technical snag near Hyderabad, the pilot executed a safe landing without any injury to any of the passengers. The incident undoubtedly proved the safety features of ALH including crash worthiness & ease of handling emergency procedures. It was also proved beyond doubt that the design characteristics of ALH are unique as the crew and passengers descended from 5000 feet and came out of the helicopter without a scratch."[27] Nevertheless, the 65-strong fleet operated by the three armed forces and Coast Guard was grounded briefly, while HAL investigated serious tail-rotor defects, which were later fixed.
- On February 2, 2007, an ALH from the Sarang helicopter display team of the Indian Air Force crashed outside Bangalore, killing its co-pilot Sqn Ldr Priye Sharma and wounding pilot Wg Cdr Vikas Jetley.[28] HAL has dismissed suggestions of another material failure.[citation needed] A crash inquiry by the IAF's Training Command and HAL found it to be a pilot error. The pilot miscalculated the height before pulling up during the aerobatic show. The helicopter team performed in the air show.[29] [30]
[edit] Specifications (Dhruv)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
- Capacity: 4-12 passengers
- Length: 52 ft 0.8 in (15.87 m)
- Rotor diameter: 43 ft 3.7 in (13.20 m)
- Height: 12 ft 4 in (4.05 m)
- Disc area: 1,472 ft² (137 m²)
- Empty weight: 5515 lb (2502 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 12,125 lb (5500 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshafts, 1000 shp (746 kW)
Alternate engine: 2× HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshafts of 1200 shp (900 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 175 mph (280 km/h)
- Combat radius: 200 mi (320 km)
- Ferry range: 516 mi (827 km)
- Service ceiling 19,680 ft (5,865 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,771 ft/min (8.9 m/s)
- Power/mass: 0.20 hp/lb (329.73 W/kg)
Armament 8 Anti-tank guided missiles, 4 Air-to-air missiles, 4 x 68 mm Rocket Pods (Air-Force & Army), 2 Torpedoes, Depth charges or Anti-ship missiles
[edit] Gallery
 Sarang Helicopter Acrobatics team's display at the Farnborough Air Show, 2006. |
 Dhruv Display at the Farnborough Air Show 2006. |
 The HAL Dhruv |
 Frontal view of the Dhruv |
 Naval utility version |
 Sarang |
 Sarang aerobatic team performing |
 civil version of the Dhruv |
 civil version of the Dhruv |
 Sarang |
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Forces look for more armour, may shell out Rs 15 crore
- ^ Official website.
- ^ Contract awarded for 20 THL 20 turrets
- ^ Shakti-powered ALH to fly on August 1
- ^ Dhruvs with Shakti engine and weapons make maiden flight
- ^ Mihir SONAR
- ^ Helicopter Fire Control System
- ^ "Dhruv helicopter set to fly in Siachen", NDTV, 3 September 2007
- ^ "Dhruv clears trials to fly high in Siachen", Times of India, 20 February 2007, accessed 8 October 2007
- ^ "Bangalore ALH pilots fly high", Times of India, 8 October 2007
- ^ HAL likely to get Rs 420 crore order for air ambulances
- ^ HAL Website, with Brochures for individual roles
- ^ DC Design now eyes airplanes, Rediff.com Business, 13 December 2005, accessed 8 October 2007
- ^ NDMA to get 12 ALHs
- ^ HAL likely to get Rs 420 crore order for air ambulances
- ^ Chile inks contract with Bell for 412
- ^ US pressure robs chopper order from Hindustan Aeronautics
- ^ HAL Receives RFP from Chile for Dhruv
- ^ Chile keen to buy HAL’s Dhruv helicopters
- ^ Shakti-powered Dhruv helicopter to fly today
- ^ "'Threat' to EU-Burma embargo", BBC News, 16 July 2007, accessed 8 October 2007
- ^ [1] "Indian helicopters for Myanmar: making a mockery of the EU arms embargo?", Amnesty International Report about the reported sale. Also see [2] for Adobe Acrobat format of the Report.
- ^ Taipei Times, Page 5, Tuesday, 17 July 2007. A government source who asked not to be named, denied any wrongdoing and said India “does not attach much credence to reports by Amnesty International. India does give defense hardware support to Myanmar but the equipment is not offensive … and not top of the line technology,” said the source, asserting that Myanmar was helping in the battle against insurgents in India’s northeast. Another Indian official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the technology concerned was for communications only and not for offensive operations.
- ^ Forces look for more armour, may shell out Rs 15 crore
- ^ http://164.100.24.208/ls/CommitteeR/Defence/17threport.pdf
- ^ Dhruvs to be airborne next week
- ^ HAL stresses on safety features of Dhruv
- ^ ALH helicopter crashes; IAF pilot killed ahead of Aero India show. globalsecurity.org. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
- ^ Aero-India 2007, "Sarang" Helicopter Display Team, www.Bharat-Rakshak.com
- ^ Aero-India 2007, "Sarang" Aerobatic Team, Images by Arun Vishwakarma, www.Bharat-Rakshak.com
[edit] External links
- Dhruv – Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) @ Army-technology.com
- Sarang helicopter display team performing at Aero-India
- Video of Dhruv helicopter
- Video of HAL Dhruv performing at Farnborough 2006
- Video of Dhruv at Paris airshow 2007
- Digital cockpit of HAL Dhruv
- Dhruv at Farnborough 2006
- Armed version of Dhruv
- HAL Dhruv
- HAL Dhruv (Air Force)
- HAL Dhruv(Navy)
- HAL Dhruv(Army)
- HAL's ALH Dhruv Clears High-Altitude Tests; Will Join Siachen Glacier fleet
- Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) - DHRUV IAI website
- Dhruv on wings at Paris
- Dhruv at ILA 2008
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