Friday, February 02, 2007
A full-scale mock-up of a new attack helicopter will be the highlight of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) display at the Aero India show here next week, even as India's premier aircraft maker looks to cementing new partnerships with key aviation giants during the five-day show.
Loosely based on the hugely successful Eurocopter, the model of the light combat helicopter (LCH) will be loaded with a 20-mm gun, a 70-mm rocket and an electro-optical pod.
HAL has been working on the ALH design for the last one-and-a-half years and is expected to roll out the prototype in 2008.
Explaining the rationale behind the LCH, HAL chief Ashok Baweja said: 'We want an attack helicopter that operates at altitudes of over 15,000 feet. When you are operating at such altitudes you must have lighter machines. You can't have a 10-tonne helicopter operating at those heights.'
Currently the only attack helicopter in the Indian Air Force (IAF) inventory is the Mi-35 gunship, a 12 tonne machine. Additionally, the IAF has modified its Mi-17 medium lift transport helicopter by mounting machine guns and rocket launchers.
The LCH is the second rotary wing HAL has designed after the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH).
Apart from the Dhruv, HAL will showcase the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) and the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), as also a fully-functional front section of an Jaguar fighter equipped with the upgraded DARIN-II avionics suite.
The company will also exhibit its advancements in machining, composites and state-of-the-art technological capabilities in aviation and aerospace.
'On the eve of Aero India, HAL looks forward to the future with quiet confidence. In the vibrant India of today, HAL would play an enabling role in encouraging and fostering Indian ambitions to be a leading role player in the world aviation scenario of the next decade,' Baweja said.
'With a firm order book on hand, HAL is cruising ahead to become a powerhouse for design, analysis, engineering and software solutions. This Aero India, HAL will stamp its authority on rotary wing capabilities, weaponisation programmes and strengths in aerospace,' he added.
HAL is also set to interact with aviation majors including Boeing, Airbus, GE, Safran, Martin Baker, Elbit, Pratt and Whitney, Dassault, Eurocopter, Honeywell, Bell, EADS, BAe Systems, IAI, GAE, SAAB, Alenia, RUAG, Lockheed Martin, Irkut, Sukhoi Design Bureau, Rosoboronexport, RAC-MiG and NPO Saturn, a company statement said.
'HAL is also set to have fruitful discussions with potential customers and interact with some decision-makers for future cooperation and enhancement of exports,' it added.
Noting that HAL is likely to sign memorandums and agreements for co-operation in thrust areas, the statement said: 'The company will also explore sourcing possibilities from aerospace companies and pitch in for strategic alliances for IT-based services in design and development.
'HAL will use Aero India as an ideal platform to forge ties in a couple of new ventures, including that of the multi-role transport aircraft (MTA), a medium-lift helicopter, MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) for civil aircraft, and the design, development and manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20070202/37928.htm