Indian Coast Guard : Updates & Discussion

So did some digging, came across this article

" To meet its long-pending requirement of Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), the Navy is looking to procure variants of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) modified for ship-based operations, according to defence sources. "

www.thehindu.com

Navy to get variants of indigenous helicopters

HAL is preparing a detailed project report on the configuration and overall cost, according to defence sources
www.thehindu.com www.thehindu.com
Ankit Kumar said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1594968468428034049

The DG flew in LUH few days back I think.
Click to expand...


Okay so not the exact words, so was tricky to track.

This is the article.

www.freepressjournal.in

Indian Coast Guard DG VS Pathania undertakes maiden sorties of 45 minutes in the indigenous light utility helicopter in Bengaluru

Indian Coast Guard DG VS Pathania undertakes maiden sorties of 45 minutes in the indigenous light utility helicopter in Bengaluru
www.freepressjournal.in www.freepressjournal.in
 
"

ICG is exploring HAL towards development ofindigenously built helicopters to replace the ageing fleet of ICG Chetak helicopters which would be completing their service life. During his visit, the Director General was presented a detailed brief on the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) which is designed and developed as a replacement for Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and are being operated by Indian Armed Forces.

LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-Ton class and incorporates state-of-the-art technology features like Glass cockpit with Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and is powered by single Turbo Shaft engine with sufficient power margin to cater to any exigency demanding ‘higher power setting’ operations. It is envisaged that LUH will meet the emerging needs in this class of helicopters, in the coming decades.The LUH is capable of flying at cruise speed of 130Kts with a service ceiling of 6.5 Km and a range of 243Nm.

Being an ace helicopter pilot himself, the Director General undertook a maiden sortie in the LUH prototype with Wg Cdr Anil Bhambani, Test Pilot HAL, to get a first hand feel of the flying characteristics andadvanced capabilities of the helicopter. The sortie was aimed at gauging the capability of the helicopter vis-a-visits viability in meeting the maritime challenges in exercise of charter of duties of Indian Coast Guard. He later said that the helicopter has promising capabilities that encapsulates the prowess of HAL in designing and delivering aircraft custom-built to the requirements of the ICG. It is learnt that ICG will setup a committee comprising of all stake holders including HAL, that will define the qualitative requirements of a maritime single engine aircraft replacing ICG Chetak fleet.

"
Nothing is confirmed but ICG is looking at LUH as a possible solution.
 
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Ankit Kumar said:
So did some digging, came across this article

" To meet its long-pending requirement of Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), the Navy is looking to procure variants of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) modified for ship-based operations, according to defence sources. "

www.thehindu.com

Navy to get variants of indigenous helicopters

HAL is preparing a detailed project report on the configuration and overall cost, according to defence sources
www.thehindu.com www.thehindu.com



Okay so not the exact words, so was tricky to track.

This is the article.

www.freepressjournal.in

Indian Coast Guard DG VS Pathania undertakes maiden sorties of 45 minutes in the indigenous light utility helicopter in Bengaluru

Indian Coast Guard DG VS Pathania undertakes maiden sorties of 45 minutes in the indigenous light utility helicopter in Bengaluru
www.freepressjournal.in www.freepressjournal.in
Click to expand...
The way I read the navy article is that the ALH will be for their NUH role aka embarking on ships but the LUH will be for their ab-intio flight training and limited shore based duties. The navy’s flight school currently has chetaks for all their rotary wing pilots to solo on but the ALH is likely only allowed to be operated in as a multi pilot so the LUH could likely meet this need and would be a neat 2 in one solution for HAL to meet the IN’s entire helicopter pipeline requirements (IMRH/DBMRH coming later too)

not sure how the LUH fits into the ICG though considering that the ICG’s pilots I believe all do their basic training at the navy schools
 
Abingdonboy said:
The way I read the navy article is that the ALH will be for their NUH role aka embarking on ships but the LUH will be for their ab-intio flight training and limited shore based duties. The navy’s flight school currently has chetaks for all their rotary wing pilots to solo on but the ALH is likely only allowed to be operated in as a multi pilot so the LUH could likely meet this need and would be a neat 2 in one solution for HAL to meet the IN’s entire helicopter pipeline requirements (IMRH/DBMRH coming later too)

not sure how the LUH fits into the ICG though considering that the ICG’s pilots I believe all do their basic training at the navy schools
Click to expand...
We will have to wait and see. Couldn't find anything else.

An LUH might be an easy fit in the hangers, but apart from transport/SAR role, I don't know.

An unmanned Helicopter based on LUH would have been a better idea however.
 
Ankit Kumar said:
We will have to wait and see. Couldn't find anything else.

An LUH might be an easy fit in the hangers, but apart from transport/SAR role, I don't know.

An unmanned Helicopter based on LUH would have been a better idea however.
Click to expand...
Most ICG ships that have hangers are designed to house the ALH anyway.

converting a manned aircraft to unmanned is very doable especially with the all digital FCS of the LUH but it’s suboptimal because it wasn’t designed to be unmanned from the outset. If there’s a pressing need for this from the IN/ICG then HAL can come up with a clean sheet product but there doesn’t seem to be a huge demand from this even from the richest navies in the world. Maybe the shipborne role is just too dynamic for unmanned systems as of today
 
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Abingdonboy said:
Most ICG ships that have hangers are designed to house the ALH anyway.

converting a manned aircraft to unmanned is very doable especially with the all digital FCS of the LUH but it’s suboptimal because it wasn’t designed to be unmanned from the outset. If there’s a pressing need for this from the IN/ICG then HAL can come up with a clean sheet product but there doesn’t seem to be a huge demand from this even from the richest navies in the world. Maybe the shipborne role is just too dynamic for unmanned systems as of today
Click to expand...
There's certainly a requirement. My preference for this type of conversion purely lies in the success of conversion of Bell 407 airframe to a UAV by Americans. Single engine means lower operational costs, longer mission times and less worries about safety as it's unmanned.

Even African Nations now have full scale Rotary UAVs , but IN which has a standing requirement of similar system doesn't have any options.
 

Indian Coast Guard holds NMSAR Board meet, launches NMSAR Plan-2022​

The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 20th National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting at Kevadia, Gujarat on November 18, 2022. The NMSAR meeting, held as a part of the Annual Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), was headed by the Director General, ICG and Chairman of NMSAR Board VS Pathania.

@IndiaCoastGuard conducted the 20th National Maritime Search and Rescue #NMSAR Board meeting at #Kevadia, #Gujarat today. The apex level meeting was chaired by DG VS Pathania, PTM,TM, #DGICG, Chairman #NMSAR Board. NMSAR Board comprising 31 members agency. pic.twitter.com/RWbqe6CoJN
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) November 18, 2022
Click to expand...

During the meeting, the Chairman shed light on various initiatives undertaken by ICG in coordination with other agencies for strengthening the M-SAR services under the aegis of the NMSAR Board.

The Chairman also launched the National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan-2022 in the meeting. The plan acts as a policy document for all involved agencies and stakeholders, directing a coordinated and integrated approach to the operation of the M-SAR system.
The board meeting saw discussions on various concerns related to maritime safety and identified areas of improvement for SAR services through awareness programmes and policy framework.

Additionally, the subject matter experts from ICG, ISRO, Maharashtra State Fisheries, and Karnataka State Fisheries delivered technical presentations at the meeting. Brainstorming sessions and discussions were also held on various agendas of the stakeholders.

The NMSAR Board​

The National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board is constituted of 31 members from various central ministries and agencies, members of the Armed Forces, and all Coastal States & Union Territories. The board conducts the annual meeting to deliberate on various policy issues, and formulate guidelines and procedures. In addition, the NMSAR board also evaluates the effectiveness of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan and services for mariners and fishermen across the vast 4.6 million square kilometres of the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
 
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