Bids In To Engine , HAL's Light Utility Copter

[Zebra]

2 Bids In To Engine HAL's Light Utility Copter

Tuesday , September 27 , 2011

In the first week of this month, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) opened technical bids from two engine houses, the starting point of a process to select a turboshaft engine for its in-development Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The two contenders are Turbomeca offering the Ardiden 1H1/Shakti -- which powers HAL's Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter -- and T800, manufactured by LHTEC, a joint venture of Rolls-Royce and Honeywell. Turbomeca's Shakti engine, which was to have powered the LUH (platform schematics), was dropped as a default choice following a reported fall-out between the company and HAL over license fees. The LUH is being developed to meet a requirement of 187 helicopters (126 for the Indian Army and 61 for the Indian Air Force).

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[Zebra]

The LHTEC T800 is a collaborative turboshaft engine between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.

"¢T800 power range: 1,300 - 1,800shp
"¢First engine delivery (CTS800-4) September 2001
"¢CTS800-4N certification completed in November 2003
"¢CTS800-powered Super Lynx now ordered by four customers

.Description
The T800 engine and its civil derivatives (CTS800/CTP800) feature modular design with dual shafts, two-stage centrifugal compressor, annular combustor, two-stage HP and two-stage power turbine. Turboshaft models are equipped with an inlet particle separator module. Some versions (including the CTP800) are also equipped with a speed reduction gearbox. All models are controlled by advanced FADEC (full authority digital engine control) (Mil-Std 1553 or ARNIC 429 bus) systems.

The next-generation T800 turboshaft/turboprop family has been developed by the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50:50 partnership between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell. Setting a new benchmark in engine performance and reliability, the T800 was originally developed to power the US Army's Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche stealth helicopter.

Military qualification and civil certification of the baseline T800-LHT-800 was completed in 1993. A 17 per cent growth version, designated T800-LHT-801, has since been developed, first flown in the Comanche in June 2001. A further 7 per cent 'throttle push' upgrade has resulted in the T800-LHT-802 engine, delivering 1,608shp.

The T800 has generated a large number of potential applications during its development, with flight testing undertaken on the Eurocopter AS.365, Vought HH-65, Bell UH-1H and HAL ALH. The commercial CTS800 has also been selected as the boundary layer compressor drive for the ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious search and rescue aircraft upgrade. A T800-powered version of the Agusta A129 attack helicopter first flew in 1988, this engine being offered for both new A129 sales and fleet upgrades.

The CTS800 also powers the next generation of AgustaWestland Super Lynx aircraft, having first flown in the Lynx in 1991. The CTS800-powered Super Lynx has already attracted four new operators, with the engine also being offered as an upgrade for existing Lynx fleets.

Engine specification Specification T800-LHT-801 / CTS800-4N
Power (shp) 1,563 / 1,362
Pressure ratio 14 / 15
Length (in) 33.7 / 48.4
Diameter (in) 21.7 / 22.1
Basic weight (lb) 330 / 383
Compressor 2CFHP / 2CFHP
Turbine 2HP, 2PT / 2HP, 2PT

*Technical data (ISA SLS)

T800 - Rolls-Royce
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[Zebra]

The Ardiden features a simple and modular design with 3 modules for easy maintenance: a reduction / accessory gearbox module, a gas generator module and a power turbine module.

The Ardiden has a TBO (Time Between Overhaul) ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 hours. EASA certified start 2009, the Ardiden 1H1, christened "Shakti", powers the Dhruv twin-engine helicopter (formerly called ALH - Advanced Light Helicopter) built by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.) of India. The Dhruv, re-engined with the Ardiden 1H1, made its maiden flight on January 12th 2009, in HAL's helicopter division, Bangalore, India.

Turbomeca - Ardiden 1H1

 

[arnabmit]

HAL selects Power Plant for Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

According to the latest issue of " Force Magazine ", HAL has selected Turbomeca's Shakti 1U engine over the Rolls Royce Honeywell LHTEC CTS-800 engine to power Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) . Turbomeca's. Shakti 1U engine is a derivative of the Shakti 1H1 engine used on Dhruv. Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Program has been stuck due to delays in selection of the engines .

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is a 3-tonne, single-engine helicopter which will be inducted by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force and will replace the fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. HAL is already working on the first Prototype and plans are to built three prototypes before it hits production .

First flight of LUH might take place next year and HAL has no plans to built Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters and the LUH will directly enter series production after the three prototypes are built and test flown.The LUH will look to service a requirement of 184 helicopters for the three services to augment the 197 being procured through a global tender, The 197 copter bid, being contended by Eurocopter's AS550 C3 Fennec and the Russian Ka-226T Sergei but the Deal has been Suspended, Indefinitely.

In November 2012, the bottom structure assembly of the LUH ground test vehicle was completed . Turbomeca's. Shakti 1U engine will feature a dual channel FADEC along with an additional back up channel to provide extra safety margin for single engine operation (an important feature at high altitudes). Turbomeca will also develop the back up control and perform other minor modifications as required by HAL.