HAL releases RFI on Airframe Design and Analysis for HAL IMRH. pic.twitter.com/JVRukH3lwB
— Varun Karthikeyan (@Varun55484761) November 2, 2023
IMRH related tenders being issued by HAL
The RFIs are for: *Design development and supply of HF SYSTEM for Indian Multi Role Helicopter IMRH/ Deck based Multi Role Helicopter DBMRH* Chemical Sensor for IMRH* Design development and supply of Winchman Ministick/ Autohover Cabin Stick for IMRH / DBMRH.* Design development and supply of Weather Radar for IMRH/DBMRH* Nuclear Sensor of IMRH* Design development and supply of Batteries for IMRH/DBMRH.* Design development and supply of Biological Sensor for Indian Multi Role Helicopter IMRH* Electronic Support Measure ESM/Electronic Intelligence ELINT for DBMRH* CMDS of IMRH and DBMRH
The RFIs are for: *Design development and supply of HF SYSTEM for Indian Multi Role Helicopter IMRH/ Deck based Multi Role Helicopter DBMRH* Chemical Sensor for IMRH* Design development and supply of Winchman Ministick/ Autohover Cabin Stick for IMRH / DBMRH.* Design development and supply of Weather Radar for IMRH/DBMRH* Nuclear Sensor of IMRH* Design development and supply of Batteries for IMRH/DBMRH.* Design development and supply of Biological Sensor for Indian Multi Role Helicopter IMRH* Electronic Support Measure ESM/Electronic Intelligence ELINT for DBMRH* CMDS of IMRH and DBMRH
So, including the ASW/AshM (Sea King 42B replacement) variant, that makes 3 different DBMRH variants!
Based on the specs (conformal antenna, etc), it's gonna be our AW-101 Merlin/Crowsnest AEW equivalent.
So IA will not procure the IMRH? 353 seems to be joint procurement for IA and IAF.
Numbers will likely increase in future. The IAF is looking to supplement its high-opex CH-47 fleet with the 13t IMRH. Unlikely that more Chinooks will ever be bought.
The IA on the other hand wants to raise more combined aviation brigades and reduce dependence on the IAF for resupply, logistics, etc. So, they will definitely snap up all the IMRH they can get.
The IN had a projected requirement for 123 medium naval helos (back when they had an intl tender open with Caracal, S-92, etc participating).
Strange that they're only looking at 66 now. AFAIK, naval Dhruvs or UHMs (of which they're buying some 60) are utility-only and aren't expected to do ASW/AShW. So that doesn't add up either.
New HAL tender for "DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF IMRH AND DBMRH AIRFRAME"
The Engineering Service Provider has to carry out following activities : -
• Creation of manufacturable detailed part definitions (3D).
• Incorporating Model Based Dimensioning in CAD Models
.• Creation of System Models
• Mapping the requirements to CAD geometry.
• Establishing the trace links to verification and validation requests.
• Part & Assembly drawings within budgeted weight.
• Preliminary and Detailed sizing of components.
• Finite Element Modeling (FEM),
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) ,
• Weight optimization.
• Preparation of Stress analysis reports.
• FE/stress analysis support for ground testing.
• Preparation of Test orders and Synthesis reports.
• Creation of Dedicated Detailed FE Models (DFEM) for airframe modules & a dedicated full airframe FE model for dynamic analysis with FE input reports.
• Incorporate changes during the support period of prototype building.
Timelines : PO + 52 months i.e. Delivery or project time line is 52 months from the date of acceptance of PO.
It appears HAL is outsourcing key design & documentation to a 3rd party. I was under the impression detailed engineering design including modeling as described in Scope of Work ( SoW) & documentation is remit of the design house or design house cum production agency in case of HAL.
Whoever is chosen for this activity can well emerge as a competitor to HAL in future. Besides I wonder how many organisations have this competency in India ? More importantly why's HAL indulging in this ? Does it lack this competency in house ?
Seems difficult to digest given they've already come up with so many iterations of the ALH & have now moved onto the NUH / LUH & LCH unless of course this activity for these hptrs were similarly outsourced too .
What're your views on it ? @Milspec
