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2020-11-15

HAL Completes Production of 300th ALH Dhruv

Recently, the 300th Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-Dhruv) rolled out from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) hangar in Bengaluru, India. The roll-out certificate of the 300th helicopter was handed over to G. V. S. Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer, Helicopter Complex by Y K Sharma, Additional Director General (South Zone), Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) at a programme held at HAL’s Helicopter Division.

Bhaskar said: “With more ALH getting inducted into the services, our focus on customer support is ever increasing. With over 2,80,000 flying hours, ALH has proven to be a multirole helicopter for any mission, any place, any time.”

The helicopter, which is built to FAR 29 specifications, entered series production in 2000. The Dhruv entered service in 2002. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators, with military variants of the helicopter being developed for the Indian Armed Forces, while a variant for civilian/commercial use has also been developed. Its prime variants are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III and Mk-IV or Weapon System Integrated (WSI).

Military versions in production include transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation variants. Based on the Dhruv platform, the HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) a dedicated attack helicopter and HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a utility and observation helicopter, are currently being developed.

Currently, HAL is producing 73 ALHs contracted for the Indian Army (41), Indian Navy (16) and Indian Coast Guard (16). Out of this, 38 ALHs have already been produced and the remaining will be completed by 2022.

Multirole Helicopter

The Dhruv ALH helicopter is of conventional design and about two-thirds by weight of composite construction. The high tail boom allows easy access to the rear clamshell loading doors.

The helicopter is equipped with an active vibration control system developed by Lord Corporation of North Carolina that uses sensors to monitor on-board conditions and outputs signals to actuators to cancel fuselage floor vibrations.

The cockpit section of the fuselage is of Kevlar and carbon-fibre construction and is fitted with crashworthy seats. The navigation suite includes a global positioning system, distance measuring equipment, automatic direction finder, radio altimeter, VHF omnidirectional ranger and instrument landing system (VOR/ILS) and marker beacons, among others.

HAL and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) have an agreement to market the Dhruv helicopter worldwide. IAI developed an integrated helicopter avionics suite for the Dhruv, including daylight and thermal imaging cameras, electronic warfare suite, and observation and targeting devices. The helicopter has been supplied to the Nepal Army, the Mauritius Police, and Maldives.

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