HAL Dhruv
| HAL Dhruv | |
|---|---|
 Dhruv at the ILA 2008 |
|
| Type: | Multipurpose helicopter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
August 1992 |
| Commissioning: |
2002 |
| Number of pieces: |
150 |
The HAL Dhruv (Sanskrit: Pole Star ) is a multi-purpose helicopter from the Indian Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is produced in various military but also civil versions.
description
The development within Hindustan's Advanced Light Helicopter Program (ALH) was announced in November 1984, but progressed very slowly due to changing requirements from the Indian military and financing problems (also with regard to the cooperation of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm as a consulting company). The first prototype did not fly until August 1992. In 1996 an armed version was presented. The program was delayed further when US sanctions after Indian nuclear tests prevented the delivery of the planned engines in 1998.
Dhruv Mk.1
The machine was then redesigned to a version of the Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 with a capacity of 746 kW after a corresponding contract was signed . The first version was not delivered to the Indian Coast Guard until 2000-2001, followed by versions for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force , a total of 56 pieces.
There are also civilian variants, all of which are equipped with the TM333-2B2 engine and have different features.
Dhruv Mk.2
From 2003 a new version with a glass cockpit of Israeli origin was launched, 50 of which were to be sold to Israel. But only one machine was delivered there, another to Mauritius , four to Nepal and seven to Ecuador , one of which crashed due to a pilot's error. The Indian military received 20 copies. The helicopter is state-of-the-art ( FADEC for the engines, automatic flight control system (4-axis control), articulated rotor head , anti-resonance vibration isolation system (ARIS) from Lord Corporation ).
Dhruv Mk.3
This version, which has been further improved with Shakti turbines, new systems for electronic warfare and self-protection, as well as improved vibration control. The Air Force deployed its first MK III squadron in 2012. 16 Dhruv Mk.III units were also ordered for the Navy and the Coast Guard in 2017
Dhruv Mk.4
On August 16, 2007, a further developed variant ALH-WSI had its maiden flight in Bangalore . This has a weapon carrier and sensors on a nose at the bow and is equipped with more powerful Shakti (also called Ardiden 1H ) engines with 30% higher emergency power, developed jointly by Turbomeca and India . The armament is identical to that of the LCH. In October 2007, a Dhruv set an altitude record of 9075 meters. In 2009, the Indian Army ordered the first 16 ALH-WSI.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Light multipurpose helicopter |
| crew |
|
| overall length | 15.87 m |
| Rotor diameter | 13.20 m |
| height | 4.05 m |
| Cabin volume | 7.33 m 3 |
| Empty mass | 2,502 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 5,500 kg |
| payload | 2,600 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 1,100 kg |
| Turbines | two Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 with 825 kW each (AEO
, take off) or two Shakti / Ardiden 1H with 895 kW each |
| Top speed | 270 km / h |
| Marching speed | 250 km / h |
| Rate of climb | 10.3 m / s |
| Service ceiling | 4,500 m |
| Operational range | 320 km (or 3.5 h) |
| Transfer range | 660 km |
Armament
- 8 × anti-tank missiles
- 4 × air-to-air missiles
- 4 × FZ231 rocket tube launch containers for 12 × unguided Forges de Zeebrugge air-to-surface missiles each ; Caliber 70 mm (air force and army)
- 2 × torpedo, depth charges or anti-ship missiles
Users
-
India
- Land Forces / Indian Army: 40
- Navy / Indian Navy: 17
- Coast Guard / Indian Coast Guard: Jan.
There are also a few other military and civil users.
Web links
- Hindustan Aeronautics product page
- Information page at Army Technology (English)
- Description of the TM 333 engine at Turbomeca , last updated: December 27, 2010
Individual evidence
- ↑ First India signs for naval and coastguard Dhruv ALH helos, Defense News, March 31, 2017 ( Memento of the original from June 2, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ FliegerRevue January 2011, pp. 28–30, India's attack helicopters are delayed
- ↑ Turbomeca: TM 333 2B2 ( Memento of the original dated May 14, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
