Navy “Cold” on Joining HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Program?

[Zarvan]

Earlier this year in Aero India 2015 , Defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) showcased Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) which sported new foldable rotor system which will enable it to meet the Indian Navy’s deck requirements.

HAL also had offered Naval LUH with wheeled undercarriage and marinization of its power-plant and key systems to ensure optimal utilization during extended operations at sea.

But Naval Sources close to idrw.org have confirmed that Indian Navy will not consider Naval LUH under new-generation naval utility helicopters (NUH) tender under which Navy plans to acquire 100 new naval utility helicopters (NUH) to replace ageing Chetak helicopters in the fleet.

Navy is looking to replace single engined Chetak helicopters accident prone helicopters with Twin-engined helicopters with smaller dimensions to ensure it can fit into warship hangars and also has capability for anti-submarine warfare with torpedoes and missiles is also an required.

Indian Navy had virtually written off the naval variant of the advanced light helicopter (ALH), Dhruv, saying it has failed to meet basic operational requirements. Navy only operates 6 Naval Dhruv and have refused to place further orders with HAL since it was not satisfied with the chopper’s rotor blade folding mechanism which are crucial for storage of helicopters on warships.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which has developed a new lighter and effectively faster rotor blade folding mechanism for single engined light utility helicopters (LUH) will also integrate same system on Naval Dhruv and will again offer it to Indian Navy for further testing .
If New rotor blade folding mechanism for Naval Dhruv is success it will fix one of the issues which were falling short of navies expectations. But Defence Experts of idrw.org also pointed out that Naval Dhruv falls short of performance in ASW (anti-submarine warfare) version too and Navy is also not happy with its payload capacity which will still persist even after getting new rotor blade folding mechanism.

If New rotor blade folding mechanism for Naval Dhruv is found satisfactory it might still be used for basic naval roles such as search and rescue (SAR) and communication duties pointed out Defence Experts of idrw.org unless HAL finds a way to fix other issues.

India’s Navy also has selected Sikorsky’s S-70B helicopters for Multirole Helicopter Requirement?. proposed Indian Navy S-70B variant will include avionics and flexible open architecture Weapons Management Systems that integrate an advanced sonar, 360 degrees search radar, modern air-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes for the ASW role. A blade and tail fold capability will facilitate shipboard storage.

The S-70B aircraft will also enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities to perform non-combat maritime roles, including search and rescue, utility and external cargo lift, surveillance and casualty evacuation.

 

[sudhir007]

Both r different category LCH total weight is around 5.5 ton and s-70 is 9-10ton. Dnt understand why our media did not understand

 

[21 Dec 2012]

Navy is looking to replace single engined Chetak helicopters accident prone helicopters with Twin-engined helicopters with smaller dimensions to ensure it can fit into warship hangars

Basically they are looking for Ka-226T+.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Earlier this year in Aero India 2015 , Defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) showcased Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) which sported new foldable rotor system which will enable it to meet the Indian Navy’s deck requirements.

HAL also had offered Naval LUH with wheeled undercarriage and marinization of its power-plant and key systems to ensure optimal utilization during extended operations at sea.

But Naval Sources close to idrw.org have confirmed that Indian Navy will not consider Naval LUH under new-generation naval utility helicopters (NUH) tender under which Navy plans to acquire 100 new naval utility helicopters (NUH) to replace ageing Chetak helicopters in the fleet.

Navy is looking to replace single engined Chetak helicopters accident prone helicopters with Twin-engined helicopters with smaller dimensions to ensure it can fit into warship hangars and also has capability for anti-submarine warfare with torpedoes and missiles is also an required.

Indian Navy had virtually written off the naval variant of the advanced light helicopter (ALH), Dhruv, saying it has failed to meet basic operational requirements. Navy only operates 6 Naval Dhruv and have refused to place further orders with HAL since it was not satisfied with the chopper’s rotor blade folding mechanism which are crucial for storage of helicopters on warships.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which has developed a new lighter and effectively faster rotor blade folding mechanism for single engined light utility helicopters (LUH) will also integrate same system on Naval Dhruv and will again offer it to Indian Navy for further testing .
If New rotor blade folding mechanism for Naval Dhruv is success it will fix one of the issues which were falling short of navies expectations. But Defence Experts of idrw.org also pointed out that Naval Dhruv falls short of performance in ASW (anti-submarine warfare) version too and Navy is also not happy with its payload capacity which will still persist even after getting new rotor blade folding mechanism.

If New rotor blade folding mechanism for Naval Dhruv is found satisfactory it might still be used for basic naval roles such as search and rescue (SAR) and communication duties pointed out Defence Experts of idrw.org unless HAL finds a way to fix other issues.

India’s Navy also has selected Sikorsky’s S-70B helicopters for Multirole Helicopter Requirement?. proposed Indian Navy S-70B variant will include avionics and flexible open architecture Weapons Management Systems that integrate an advanced sonar, 360 degrees search radar, modern air-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes for the ASW role. A blade and tail fold capability will facilitate shipboard storage.

The S-70B aircraft will also enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities to perform non-combat maritime roles, including search and rescue, utility and external cargo lift, surveillance and casualty evacuation.

This is considered news? The NAVY was NEVER part of the LUH program, the LUH simply isn't being designed as a naval helo and doesn't fit with their requirements- end of story.

Basically they are looking for Ka-226T+.

Not the Ka-226