HAL LUH / Ka-226: News and Discussions
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I find the basic ALH for 150 Cr costly. And the production time of 60 months for just 41 is even more costly even after producing 250 odd choppers
It was a typing error. I meant 150 crore a piece. This is expensive as massive infrastructure and privatisation is being planned. The actual cost of ALH is going to be quite low. Even Mi17 costs 50% of ALH cost despite being imported. The production time of 60 months is also extraordinary unless the aim is to build infrastructure first and then ramp up production
Navy bought 32 for 8000 crores.
Both costs are NOT flyaway costs.
ALSO, even more money paid to Indian company, money stays in India, gets recycled in economy. Imports - total loss.
Yes, that is what I am saying. The money is not merely flyaway cost but cost of investment in manufacturing capability so that much more of these can be made for much cheaper price and faster time in the future
India issues an RFP for acquiring 200 Kamov helicopters from Russia
India has moved a step further and reached a milestone in its project of procuring and co-producing 200 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters worth Rs 21,000 crore from Russia for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, defence ministry officials privy to the matter said.
The ministry, a few days ago, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project to the manufacturer, Russian Helicopters, part of Russian corporation, Rostec. “The RFP for the 200 Kamov helicopters was signed and given a week ago to Russian Helicopters. This is a milestone in the process of procuring them,” said an official.
The RFP is an important document in the Indian defence procurement process and elaborates on the general requirement of the equipment, the numbers required, delivery timeframes, maintenance and support package.
Officials explained that the RFP was worked out in consultation with the joint venture setup between Russian Helicopters and Indian defence PSU, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HALNSE -1.05 %).
Last year, Indian and Russian officials had met several times to sort out the RFP, including understanding how the program will unfold in India. The RFP makes clear the intent to procure 200 of the helicopters, which entails 135 for the army and 65 for the IAF.
“For the army, 40 will be in flyaway condition and the rest 95 will be co-produced with Russia,” explained an official, adding that the next step is for the manufacturer to respond to the RFP to take the process forward.
Andrey Boginskiy, Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company, at the Defexpo-2018 held in Chennai last month had explained to reporters that, “In the nearest time the Russian side is expecting the issue of the RFP for 200 helicopters, and it means that we have come very close to entering into the contract.”
Officials added that the contract is likely to be signed by the end of this year. The Kamov helicopters will replace the ageing Cheetah helicopters. For this, in 2015, India and Russia had signed an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the supply and localization of the helicopter production in India. In May 2017, a joint venture within the framework of the IGA was registered in Bangalore between Russian Helicopters and HAL.
As part of the project, India will procure 60 of the 200 helicopters in flyaway condition, which will be produced at the Ulan-Ude plant of Russian Helicopters, while the remaining 140 will be made in India under the joint venture. The joint venture facility will be located in the vicinity of Tumkur, near Bangalore.
Boginskiy explained that, “At least 140 helicopters will be assembled at the facilities of the joint venture with a gradual increase of the localization level. At first, components and technologies will be transferred and the provisions will be made for the organization of production in India, then production of components from the supplied materials and assembly of helicopters will begin, and, finally, complete assembly of the helicopters will be organized.”
He added that at the same time Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is preparing at full speed to its part of work - production of 60 Ka-226T helicopters for India.
India issues an RFP for acquiring 200 Kamov helicopters from Russia
India has moved a step further and reached a milestone in its project of procuring and co-producing 200 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters worth Rs 21,000 crore from Russia for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, defence ministry officials privy to the matter said.
The ministry, a few days ago, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project to the manufacturer, Russian Helicopters, part of Russian corporation, Rostec. “The RFP for the 200 Kamov helicopters was signed and given a week ago to Russian Helicopters. This is a milestone in the process of procuring them,” said an official.
The RFP is an important document in the Indian defence procurement process and elaborates on the general requirement of the equipment, the numbers required, delivery timeframes, maintenance and support package.
Officials explained that the RFP was worked out in consultation with the joint venture setup between Russian Helicopters and Indian defence PSU, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HALNSE -1.05 %).
Last year, Indian and Russian officials had met several times to sort out the RFP, including understanding how the program will unfold in India. The RFP makes clear the intent to procure 200 of the helicopters, which entails 135 for the army and 65 for the IAF.
“For the army, 40 will be in flyaway condition and the rest 95 will be co-produced with Russia,” explained an official, adding that the next step is for the manufacturer to respond to the RFP to take the process forward.
Andrey Boginskiy, Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company, at the Defexpo-2018 held in Chennai last month had explained to reporters that, “In the nearest time the Russian side is expecting the issue of the RFP for 200 helicopters, and it means that we have come very close to entering into the contract.”
Officials added that the contract is likely to be signed by the end of this year. The Kamov helicopters will replace the ageing Cheetah helicopters. For this, in 2015, India and Russia had signed an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the supply and localization of the helicopter production in India. In May 2017, a joint venture within the framework of the IGA was registered in Bangalore between Russian Helicopters and HAL.
As part of the project, India will procure 60 of the 200 helicopters in flyaway condition, which will be produced at the Ulan-Ude plant of Russian Helicopters, while the remaining 140 will be made in India under the joint venture. The joint venture facility will be located in the vicinity of Tumkur, near Bangalore.
Boginskiy explained that, “At least 140 helicopters will be assembled at the facilities of the joint venture with a gradual increase of the localization level. At first, components and technologies will be transferred and the provisions will be made for the organization of production in India, then production of components from the supplied materials and assembly of helicopters will begin, and, finally, complete assembly of the helicopters will be organized.”
He added that at the same time Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is preparing at full speed to its part of work - production of 60 Ka-226T helicopters for India.
India issues an RFP for acquiring 200 Kamov helicopters from Russia
HAL carries out hot weather tests on its LUH in city
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out some critical tests on its latest platform named Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), in the city on Tuesday.Speaking exclusively to The Hitavada, HAL’s Chief Test Pilot Wg Cdr Unnikrishna Pillay(Retd) informed that the LUH has tremendous demand from all the three wings of Defence services, mainly for its utility of being used as an Air Ambulance, that can carry two stretchers, one doctor and one attendant, or load of 1.2 tons, besides the crew of two.
Moreover, the ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs are becoming more demanding with regards to its maintenance and increasing demands of the Services of getting a better, more modern platform, with superior avionics, to meet its requirements of operating in adverse weather conditions like hot climate, cold climate, high altitude pickets, mountains and valleys and the missions over the sea.
“The Chetaks and Cheetahs,” said Wg Cdr Unnikrishna, “I have served very successfully for 50 years now and time has come to replace them.
The LUHs are suitably designed and are easy to maintain because of indigenous technology and can be suitably modified to suit the requirements of the buyer. Moreover, with Indian economy looking up, LUH assures us of a big market for its use. India used to earlier tie up with a foreign manufacturer to design a chopper for our use, costing a fortune. Today, we have the technology to design a platform suitable to our needs.”
The LUH has high-tech computers on board, has its own cooling system, which needs to be monitored in hot weather conditions. Similarly, gear box with oil with thermal cooling system, engine and other things that are critical, need to be tested in such hot weather conditions. “So, we parked the chopper on the tarmac, exposed it to the Sun and let it absorb the outside heat, so as to give us data on how the various systems on board are behaving in such trying conditions. There are temperature sensors fitted on the chopper at various points that provide data to the systems monitoring on the ground and on reaching the limit prescribed, it alerts the pilot. There are designers and technicians on the ground who will monitor flaws, if any, and avoid risks,” Wg Cdr Unnikrishna told The Hitavada.
LUH has also has a good civil market, which will flourish ,once the Defence services start using the choppers and its trained Crew and technicians are available after their retirement, to fly in the civil service. HAL is a huge organisation having more than 30,000 employees, with factories in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, UP and Kerala. “There is one coming up in Goa now. I have been with HAL since 1999 , after retiring from the Indian Air Force and currently stationed at Bangalore,” explained Wg Cdr Unnikrishna Pillay.
Asked about his next visit, Wg Cdr Pillay gave that handsome boyish smile and said, “Yes, but with a Multirole Helicopter, a heavy lift machine, designed by HAL. But, it will take three years for that.”
Asked about his completion of the mission in Nagpur, Wg Cdr Pillay reiterated, “Yes. Now, we fly out on Wednesday and reach Bangalore. We will later go to Leh for the cold weather tests”.
HAL carries out hot weather tests on its LUH in city – Indian Defence Research Wing
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out some critical tests on its latest platform named Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), in the city on Tuesday.Speaking exclusively to The Hitavada, HAL’s Chief Test Pilot Wg Cdr Unnikrishna Pillay(Retd) informed that the LUH has tremendous demand from all the three wings of Defence services, mainly for its utility of being used as an Air Ambulance, that can carry two stretchers, one doctor and one attendant, or load of 1.2 tons, besides the crew of two.
Moreover, the ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs are becoming more demanding with regards to its maintenance and increasing demands of the Services of getting a better, more modern platform, with superior avionics, to meet its requirements of operating in adverse weather conditions like hot climate, cold climate, high altitude pickets, mountains and valleys and the missions over the sea.
“The Chetaks and Cheetahs,” said Wg Cdr Unnikrishna, “I have served very successfully for 50 years now and time has come to replace them.
The LUHs are suitably designed and are easy to maintain because of indigenous technology and can be suitably modified to suit the requirements of the buyer. Moreover, with Indian economy looking up, LUH assures us of a big market for its use. India used to earlier tie up with a foreign manufacturer to design a chopper for our use, costing a fortune. Today, we have the technology to design a platform suitable to our needs.”
The LUH has high-tech computers on board, has its own cooling system, which needs to be monitored in hot weather conditions. Similarly, gear box with oil with thermal cooling system, engine and other things that are critical, need to be tested in such hot weather conditions. “So, we parked the chopper on the tarmac, exposed it to the Sun and let it absorb the outside heat, so as to give us data on how the various systems on board are behaving in such trying conditions. There are temperature sensors fitted on the chopper at various points that provide data to the systems monitoring on the ground and on reaching the limit prescribed, it alerts the pilot. There are designers and technicians on the ground who will monitor flaws, if any, and avoid risks,” Wg Cdr Unnikrishna told The Hitavada.
LUH has also has a good civil market, which will flourish ,once the Defence services start using the choppers and its trained Crew and technicians are available after their retirement, to fly in the civil service. HAL is a huge organisation having more than 30,000 employees, with factories in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, UP and Kerala. “There is one coming up in Goa now. I have been with HAL since 1999 , after retiring from the Indian Air Force and currently stationed at Bangalore,” explained Wg Cdr Unnikrishna Pillay.
Asked about his next visit, Wg Cdr Pillay gave that handsome boyish smile and said, “Yes, but with a Multirole Helicopter, a heavy lift machine, designed by HAL. But, it will take three years for that.”
Asked about his completion of the mission in Nagpur, Wg Cdr Pillay reiterated, “Yes. Now, we fly out on Wednesday and reach Bangalore. We will later go to Leh for the cold weather tests”.
HAL carries out hot weather tests on its LUH in city – Indian Defence Research Wing
HAL tests indigenous light chopper to 20,000 feet
Success of HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (pictured here) opens door to civilian, export markets
By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 11th Dec 18
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has displayed its proficiency in the demanding field of helicopter design by successfully testing its indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) to an altitude of 6 kilometres (almost 20,000 feet).
In an organisation where engineers and technicians still smart over Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent statement that HAL was not competent to manufacture the Rafale fighter under licence, there is quiet vindication.
HAL stated on Monday that breaking the 6-kilometre barrier was “a critical requirement towards the certification of LUH… With the completion of this milestone, LUH can now undertake high altitude, cold weather trials planned in January 2019.”
This will involve operating the LUH in winter from helipads on the Saltoro Ridge that towers above the Siachen Glacier. Currently, with the decades-old Chetak and Cheetah fleets nearly obsolete, HAL’s twin-engine Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) services the army’s Himalayan posts. Once the LUH is certified for operations, it will take on many of these tasks.
Both the Dhruv and LUH are designed to operate at altitudes up to 6.5 kilometres (21,325 feet), a capability that few helicopters have. While selecting a VVIP chopper, the government brought down the altitude requirement to 4.5 kilometres, because there was just one chopper that could fly up to even six kilometres.
Yet, this altitude requirement is essential for the Dhruv and LUH, which must supply provisions to, and evacuate casualties from Siachen Glacier posts like Sonam, which, at 20,997 feet, is the highest inhabited spot on the planet.
HAL’s Chief Test Pilot, Wing Commander (Retired) Unni Pillai, who made the first Dhruv landing on Sonam, also piloted the LUH during its six-kilometre altitude test along with Wing Commander (Retired) Anil Bhambhani.
Unni Pillai circles his Dhruv ALH as he comes in to land at Sonam Post, the highest in the world
Powering this impressive performance is the Shakti engine, custom-designed by French engine-maker Turbomeca (now Safran) in partnership with HAL. The Shakti, which is now built in India by HAL-Safran, powers a successful family of HAL-built helicopters: the Dhruv ALH, the LUH, an armed Dhruv variant called Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which is close to being accepted into service.
Unlike the Dhruv, Rudra and LCH – all of them large, five-tonne helicopters powered by twin-Shakti engines – a single Shakti engine powers the three-tonne LUH. Safran markets this engine as the Ardiden 1U, while HAL calls the Shakti 1U.
With the army in dire need of 394 light helicopters, the defence ministry decided to meet that requirement through two procurements. To meet immediate requirements, 197 light helicopters would be procured from the international market. Meanwhile, HAL would develop and manufacture 187 indigenous light choppers.
In making the overseas procurement, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government decided against a global tender, instead signing an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with Russia for building the Kamov-226T helicopter in India, in a joint venture with HAL. With that contract still to be signed, the rapid pace of the LUH development gives the government the option to dispense with international procurement and build an all-Indian fleet instead.
An ambitious HAL is looking beyond purely military orders at the civil and export markets as well. “The LUH is being indigenously developed by HAL to meet the requirements of both military and civil operators,” announced the company.
Even so, for now, the priority is the military. “HAL has an in-principle order for 187 LUH that includes 126 for Indian Army and 61 for IAF,” stated HAL today.
According to HAL, the LUH “will be capable of flying at 220 kilometres per hour, with a service ceiling of 6.5 kilometres and a range of 350 kilometres with a 400 kilogramme payload… The helicopter, with a glass cockpit, can be deployed for reconnaissance and surveillance roles and as a light transport helicopter. ”
The LUH is currently being tested with two prototypes. The first flight took place on September 6, 2016, while the second prototype flew on May 22, 2017. A third prototype is currently being built.
Success of HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (pictured here) opens door to civilian, export markets
By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 11th Dec 18
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has displayed its proficiency in the demanding field of helicopter design by successfully testing its indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) to an altitude of 6 kilometres (almost 20,000 feet).
In an organisation where engineers and technicians still smart over Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent statement that HAL was not competent to manufacture the Rafale fighter under licence, there is quiet vindication.
HAL stated on Monday that breaking the 6-kilometre barrier was “a critical requirement towards the certification of LUH… With the completion of this milestone, LUH can now undertake high altitude, cold weather trials planned in January 2019.”
This will involve operating the LUH in winter from helipads on the Saltoro Ridge that towers above the Siachen Glacier. Currently, with the decades-old Chetak and Cheetah fleets nearly obsolete, HAL’s twin-engine Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) services the army’s Himalayan posts. Once the LUH is certified for operations, it will take on many of these tasks.
Both the Dhruv and LUH are designed to operate at altitudes up to 6.5 kilometres (21,325 feet), a capability that few helicopters have. While selecting a VVIP chopper, the government brought down the altitude requirement to 4.5 kilometres, because there was just one chopper that could fly up to even six kilometres.
Yet, this altitude requirement is essential for the Dhruv and LUH, which must supply provisions to, and evacuate casualties from Siachen Glacier posts like Sonam, which, at 20,997 feet, is the highest inhabited spot on the planet.
HAL’s Chief Test Pilot, Wing Commander (Retired) Unni Pillai, who made the first Dhruv landing on Sonam, also piloted the LUH during its six-kilometre altitude test along with Wing Commander (Retired) Anil Bhambhani.
Unni Pillai circles his Dhruv ALH as he comes in to land at Sonam Post, the highest in the world
Powering this impressive performance is the Shakti engine, custom-designed by French engine-maker Turbomeca (now Safran) in partnership with HAL. The Shakti, which is now built in India by HAL-Safran, powers a successful family of HAL-built helicopters: the Dhruv ALH, the LUH, an armed Dhruv variant called Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which is close to being accepted into service.
Unlike the Dhruv, Rudra and LCH – all of them large, five-tonne helicopters powered by twin-Shakti engines – a single Shakti engine powers the three-tonne LUH. Safran markets this engine as the Ardiden 1U, while HAL calls the Shakti 1U.
With the army in dire need of 394 light helicopters, the defence ministry decided to meet that requirement through two procurements. To meet immediate requirements, 197 light helicopters would be procured from the international market. Meanwhile, HAL would develop and manufacture 187 indigenous light choppers.
In making the overseas procurement, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government decided against a global tender, instead signing an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with Russia for building the Kamov-226T helicopter in India, in a joint venture with HAL. With that contract still to be signed, the rapid pace of the LUH development gives the government the option to dispense with international procurement and build an all-Indian fleet instead.
An ambitious HAL is looking beyond purely military orders at the civil and export markets as well. “The LUH is being indigenously developed by HAL to meet the requirements of both military and civil operators,” announced the company.
Even so, for now, the priority is the military. “HAL has an in-principle order for 187 LUH that includes 126 for Indian Army and 61 for IAF,” stated HAL today.
According to HAL, the LUH “will be capable of flying at 220 kilometres per hour, with a service ceiling of 6.5 kilometres and a range of 350 kilometres with a 400 kilogramme payload… The helicopter, with a glass cockpit, can be deployed for reconnaissance and surveillance roles and as a light transport helicopter. ”
The LUH is currently being tested with two prototypes. The first flight took place on September 6, 2016, while the second prototype flew on May 22, 2017. A third prototype is currently being built.
Third prototype lifts off. Made the flight on December 14
Looks pretty. A mini dhruv.
Third prototype lifts off. Made the flight on December 14
I hope someone releases a nice pic of all three together.
Third prototype lifts off. Made the flight on December 14
dont miss the LCH in the background
Approximate cost for items under technical evaluation stage (TES):
— Strategic Frontier (@strategicfront) January 6, 2019
LCA Mk1 A : $85 million
LCH for Army/IAF : $25 million (excluding infra)
Ka-228 for Army/IAF : $14 million (May include ToT/infra costs)
Now this is what you call an upgrade...
HAL Cheetah (Aerospatiale Lama)
HAL Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III)
HAL LUH -
@Falcon @randomradio @Ashwin
HAL Cheetah (Aerospatiale Lama)
HAL Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III)
HAL LUH -
@Falcon @randomradio @Ashwin
Absolutely no doubt that the HAL has produced fine machines in form of ALH and LUH. Where the credit is due, it is due
Nothing new. Just some pics I found that I think look pretty.
I gotta say though, the engine intake on that thing is almost flush to the body. Wish I could say the same about that exhaust nozzle though.
For all the design ingenuity displayed while designing the intake there was nothing special about the nozzle. But at least its well placed, you can actually see the hot gasses being pushed down by the main rotor. This will greatly disrupt the heat trail that IR seekers look for while targeting a helo.
This is hands down the best camo ever. Strangely, the tail doesn't have the black lining that is common with HAL helicopters. What's that for preventing soot build up ? There is a cover on the main rotor hub, this will reduce sound of the blades when operating.
That antenna just below the cabin looks like a Chinese man's beard.
I gotta say though, the engine intake on that thing is almost flush to the body. Wish I could say the same about that exhaust nozzle though.
For all the design ingenuity displayed while designing the intake there was nothing special about the nozzle. But at least its well placed, you can actually see the hot gasses being pushed down by the main rotor. This will greatly disrupt the heat trail that IR seekers look for while targeting a helo.
This is hands down the best camo ever. Strangely, the tail doesn't have the black lining that is common with HAL helicopters. What's that for preventing soot build up ? There is a cover on the main rotor hub, this will reduce sound of the blades when operating.
That antenna just below the cabin looks like a Chinese man's beard.
