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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 14 : HAL Choppers - 1 |
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| HAL's helicopters, the Dhruv, Chetak and Cheetah have always been present in strength at Aero India but seldom fully noted. The only new entrant this time was an upgraded and re-engined HAL Chetak, now known as the "Chetan". Another upgraded and re-engined helicopter, the "Cheetal", a HAL Cheetah also equipped with the same engine used in the Chetan upgrade, was not to be seen. HAL's Helicopter division, being located opposite Banglore's HAL Airport, is just a few minutes of flight away. | |
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A glass cockpit was promised as a part of the package but this HAL Chetan (C/N AH-345), the first and only example, has clearly not been upgraded with the new cockpit standard, although some new instruments and warning lights have been added. The new glass cockpit, Vehicle and Engine Management Display (VEMD) and a stability augmentation system (auto pilot) will be added in the near future. |
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The Chetan taxies out to the main runway. The helicopter is a license produced SA316B Alouette-III, re-engined with the Turbomeca TM333-2M2 engine, FADEC and deleted clutch. The upgraded "Cheetal" helicopter, using the same TM333-2M2, created a world record by landing at a density altitude of 25,150 feet. The Cheetal also uses a modified instrument panel, FADEC and GPS, VHF homers, Flight Monitoring System, Emergency Locator Transmitter and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). |
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As the Chetan prepares for flight, a Sea Harrier hovers in the background. HAL's own paint schemes have been nothing short of excellent and this is no exception. The helicopter was originally painted in olive-green but seems to have been quickly repainted for the show. The inaugural flight took place only on 01 Feb 2005. The golden coat appears to be of similar composition to that used on the civil variant of the HAL Dhruv. |
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The Chetan is being flown by Wg Cdr P S Rao and Sqn Ldr S Jain. HAL propose to upgrade all Chetaks operated by the Army to the Chetan standard but given the age of the type and a new Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) requirement, the Army is somewhat reluctant. The proposition itself is strange since the Dhruv was originally meant to replace the Chetak. The related TM-333-2B2 engine is also currently being overhauled at HAL. |
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The lighter and more powerful engine, reduces the empty weight by 20 kg (1180 kg), increases the endurance by 45 minutes (80 km extra range, 580 km) and allows for a 60 kg payload at an altitude of 6000 m where no payload was previously possible. Overall payload increase is 90 kg. The maximum operating altitude however, remains static, at 6500 m. In comparison, the Cheetal has an increased range of 640 km (up 80 km, 40 min. endurance). |
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A conventional Chetak (Z-1414) from the IAF. Compare this example's Artouste-IIIB engine to the Chetan's TM-333-2M2. The latter has an SFC of 0.38 kg/kW hr compared to the former's 0.47 kg/kW hr. |
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The solitary civilian variant of the the Dhruv (VT-XLH). The helicopter was originally painted white and didn't get much attention in those days but is now yet another example of HAL's exemplary paint schemes . |
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The civilian variant is similar to the naval variant, with the retractable, wheeled undercarriage. |
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The exclusive VIP-configured interior of the civil variant has been designed by Dilip Chhabria, India's best known automobile designer. The civil variant can also be configured for the commuter role, seating 12 passengers besides the crew. One example of this variant has been acquired by Israel. |
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The Dhruv takes off amidst the display smoke from the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team's aircraft. This sortie is not a part of the aerial display. Note the lack of any military blade antennae on this variant. |
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This example among some other Dhruvs including the naval variant, flew back to HAL's helicopter division at the end of each show day. |
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The naval variant of the Dhruv (IN-704). This example is equipped with a rescue winch, as on IN-703 and IN-705. To complete the equipment fit, the helicopter should also receive the SV-2000 radar, KITE ESM system and Mihir dunking sonar. The dunking sonar should already been installed. |
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Although they appear operational with the services, a number of Dhruvs are still with HAL. The naval variant is also provided with an emergency flotation system which is effective under Sea States 5/6. The export version of the naval variant is also offered with the Elta EL/M-2022A radar, instead of the SV-2000. |
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One may have expected the radar-equipped Dhruvs but nevertheless, IN-704 was new as far as public eyes were concerned. |
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Close up of the rescue-hoist system and winch. The Coast-Guard variant of the Dhruv uses a similar system and is fully operational. |
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