HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv

[vram]

Army chopper crashes in Siachen, no casualty | NDTV.com

Dhruv ALH Mark III crashes in Siachen. Both the pilots survived the accident.

@abingdonboy nice video buddy just noticed it...

Has there been any follow up reporting on this crash. I definitely am thankful that the pilots did not suffer any last injuries.
But this also bring to my mind the recent tender that is taking place for the LUH that is supposedly expected to take over these roles of air maintenance, air observation etc...

If you would notice crashing on a GLACIER that too at high velocities that is required to maintain stability there due to air starvation is no small disaster. Hence it is a small comforting fact that the BOTH PILOTS escaped with minor injuries...speaks volumes about the capability of the Dhruv when it is properly maintained. Even the equadorian crash if I remember correctly the pilot survived. The only fatalities have been in head to head crashes and difficult survivability terrain.

Now contrast this with the Cheetah crash that happened earlier in the same glacier and you can see the risk to life there

Army aviation pilot dies in Siachen chopper crash, another injured | NDTV.com

So it begs the question is why are we conducting a different tender when we can very well increase the count of Dhruvs ordered and multiply them for these operation. We will also save lots due to platform uniformity during maintenance.
@Kunal Biswas any comments on this?

 

[sayareakd]

any helicopter which crashes and pilots and crew survive is wroth having.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

There is absolutely no need for LUH / LOH, Dhruv are more capable both in service ceiling and payload capacity ..

There are two reasons :

1. New technological advance in Indian Military are not well studied and hence relaying on Old Ideology of different catagory for specific tasks, Dhruv is multi-role high preform-ace universal platform..

2. Corruption cannot be ignored when there are hundreds of scams emerge every year in Indian Defense procurement, LUH deal is already under scam radar..

@So it begs the question is why are we conducting a different tender when we can very well increase the count of Dhruvs ordered and multiply them for these operation. We will also save lots due to platform uniformity during maintenance.
[MENTION=4163]Kunal Biswas any comments on this?

 

[vram]

There is absolutely no need for LUH / LOH, Dhruv are more capable both in service ceiling and payload capacity ..

2. Corruption cannot be ignored when there are hundreds of scams emerge every year in Indian Defense procurement, LUH deal is already under scam radar..

Yep thats what I thought as well. Especially when the HAL and army brag about the fact that the Dhruv was specifically designed and developed for Siachen operations. Makes one question the logic behind half the tenders out there doesn't it? Sad but true in my case. There was a time when I used to blindly accept army requirements and statements as true becuase it was one of the least corrupt organizations in the nation...no longer so...

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Its still remain the least corrupted organization, Most corruption are at top levels where they have political backs from MOD..

But If one goes in Siachen and ask about Dhruv or, Go to any Infantry unit using INSAS 1B1 there view will force you questions these procurement are actually for whom..

There was a time when I used to blindly accept army requirements and statements as true becuase it was one of the least corrupt organizations in the nation...no longer so...

 

[sayareakd]

just few dirty fishes, lots of middlemen with black money and paid media is doing all this.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Exercise Brazen Chariots 2008 >> Thar Desert

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Siachen Duties >>

 

[abingdonboy]

@<a href="http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/member.php?u=6029" target="_blank">abingdonboy</a> nice video buddy just noticed it...

Has there been any follow up reporting on this crash. I definitely am thankful that the pilots did not suffer any last injuries.
But this also bring to my mind the recent tender that is taking place for the LUH that is supposedly expected to take over these roles of air maintenance, air observation etc...

If you would notice crashing on a GLACIER that too at high velocities that is required to maintain stability there due to air starvation is no small disaster. Hence it is a small comforting fact that the BOTH PILOTS escaped with minor injuries...speaks volumes about the capability of the Dhruv when it is properly maintained. Even the equadorian crash if I remember correctly the pilot survived. The only fatalities have been in head to head crashes and difficult survivability terrain.

Now contrast this with the Cheetah crash that happened earlier in the same glacier and you can see the risk to life there

Army aviation pilot dies in Siachen chopper crash, another injured | NDTV.com

So it begs the question is why are we conducting a different tender when we can very well increase the count of Dhruvs ordered and multiply them for these operation. We will also save lots due to platform uniformity during maintenance.
@<a href="http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/member.php?u=4163" target="_blank">Kunal Biswas</a> any comments on this?

My latest vid:

 

[abingdonboy]

@Kunal Biswas and @vram one cannot discount the cost angle- the ALH is a twin-engine 5.5 ton Helo, you're not always going to need such a capable bird to trasport the odd bit of kit here and there- sometimes the ALH is overkill. So sending a smaller, single-engine LUH/LOH out to do the job makes sense. Addtionally the IA intedns to use the LUH/LOH in recon and observation roles for the mech forces and arty- here using the ALH is more than overkill it is wasteful and absurd. Every modern army has relatively large numbers of inexpensive LUHs.

 

[pmaitra]

Not sure whether already posted. Enjoy!!!

ध्रुव हेलीकाप्टर DHRUV HELICOPTER , INDIAN ARMY - YouTube

<<In Hindi>>

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The ULH purchase here is for High alt posts, Where Dhruv suits the need much better than all the contenders, Imho the cost would be an issue if this was in late 90s, But we have enough money for such projections, Army actually use Dhruv for this purpose and it needs more..

ULH in army have very limited roles such as observation and for that we have cheeth, Now days ULH are even taken out from Arty units and replaced by UAVs, So all need for these ULH are not needed as specified via various sources..

@Kunal Biswas and @vram one cannot discount the cost angle- the ALH is a twin-engine 5.5 ton Helo, you're not always going to need such a capable bird to trasport the odd bit of kit here and there- sometimes the ALH is overkill. So sending a smaller, single-engine LUH/LOH out to do the job makes sense. Addtionally the IA intedns to use the LUH/LOH in recon and observation roles for the mech forces and arty- here using the ALH is more than overkill it is wasteful and absurd. Every modern army has relatively large numbers of inexpensive LUHs.

 

[vram]

@Kunal Biswas and @vram one cannot discount the cost angle- the ALH is a twin-engine 5.5 ton Helo, you're not always going to need such a capable bird to trasport the odd bit of kit here and there- sometimes the ALH is overkill. So sending a smaller, single-engine LUH/LOH out to do the job makes sense. Addtionally the IA intedns to use the LUH/LOH in recon and observation roles for the mech forces and arty- here using the ALH is more than overkill it is wasteful and absurd. Every modern army has relatively large numbers of inexpensive LUHs.

The cost is defnitely an important factor. But wieghed against what factors is the more critical question I feel?
A twin engined aircraft is always better suited for survival than a single engine helis. Especially these are not your run off the mill operations. Siachen and certain north kashmir border posts are as Hostile and environment as you can get on planet earth . If it improves the survivability of the pilots who we have spent lacs training leave alone the factor of every life being precious I feel todays India can definitely bear the expense. And note I am still not convinced on this cost arguement. we can always change the flight rosters and drops of materials to have lesser number of runs and more equipment,kits etc...carried in a single run. Afterall the Dhruv is much more capable than the Cheetal and Cheetah..

 

[Ganesh2691]

HAL To Reconfigure The ALH Dhruv As A Dedicated Air Ambulance

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL] recently issued a global Request For Quotation [RFQ] seeking bidders to help turn the civilian version of its Advanced Light Helicopter [ALH], Dhruv, into a fully functional Air Ambulance platform. The accompanying document stipulates that the modified chopper be able to accommodate 2 patients lying down on stretchers with provision for a doctor & a medical attendant to accompany them during flight. It is also required that the helicopter be kitted with on-board Oxygen cylinders, Defibrillator, Ventilator, among other necessary equipment needed to attend to them during the 'Golden Hour'. Once completed, it would have to pass all relevant certification necessary for operation. It appears that HAL has gained suitable appreciation of the relatively new concept of On-Condition Maintenance as it specifies that LRUs being used in this project be capable of being serviced in accordance with this philosophy.

It is unclear, though, whether this conversion is being carried out in response to any specific external work-order in HAL's hands. It has given out no indications of any 3rd party operator for this helicopter. It does, however, appear there is a definite customer for this modified bird, since HAL has stipulated that the winning vendor be able to provide a 30-year life-cycle support for the on-board medical systems, along with provisions for spares. Perhaps, this may be inducted into its own heli ambulance service, the 'Vayu Vahan', that presently uses a similarly modified 'Chetak' helicopter, a 60s design of French origin, to do the job. Additionally, it could also be used to showcase the different possible applications that the Dhruv could be adapted for. Turkey from 2008 has been operating three such modified Dhruv's as Air Ambulances, that it has taken on a 5 year lease from HAL. According to the agreement signed, it has the option to purchase them at the end of its lease period, if it so desires. The lease period is to get over this year, in 2013. One needs to keep one's eyes open for development on this front.

This RFQ also brings back into focus an earlier news report which suggested that HAL was to supply Peru with 2 such similarly configured versions of the ALH. However, since that time there seems to have been no news of any actual delivery having taken place, despite reports of the contract being signed. Neither does HAL list the country as one of its customers on its official website. Reporters appear to have jumped the gun on this one. Unlikely that the RFQ floated is wrt to executing the Peruvian order - taking 5 years to execute a contract for 2 choppers seems too inordinate a delay. Moreover, HAL has stated it would provide only one airframe for the modification. What is interesting, though, is that in the Peru [non]deal, that followed the confirmed Turkish deal, HAL was quoted on record to be looking for a European partner to carry out the modification. Weighing this bit of news with the earlier Turkish report, one could conclude that HAL had supplied the ALH Dhruv in the baseline configuration, & Turkey itself carried out the application-specific conversion. It might explain this search for a vendor to do a similar job.

Recent events in the country have only highlighted the need for such life-saving systems to be available in sufficient numbers when the need arises.

HAL To Reconfigure The ALH Dhruv As A Dedicated Air Ambulance - AA Me, IN

 

[Armand2REP]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

can mig 29 carry brahmos missiles?? if not will navy think to operate some heavy fighters onboard the IAC)#1??

will dhruv be the carrier on-board delivery aircraft for vikramaditya?? or do/did we have a concept of carrier on-board delivery on Viraat and Ex INS Vikrant??

No to both. Without catapults you aren't going to be carrying more than A2A missiles. Dhruv is not naval certified.

 

[Somreet Bhattacharya]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

But the Dhruvs have manually folded rotors right? which is why the Navy is complaining...

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

The major issue is that Navy wanted the tail folded completely also as you said automatic folding..

But this idea conflicted with the ideology of ALH Dhruv, Such modifications will increase weight..

But the Dhruvs have manually folded rotors right? which is why the Navy is complaining...

 

[arnabmit]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

Automatic folding rotors would add 100kgs to the air-frame which would effect the usable payload.

But the Dhruvs have manually folded rotors right? which is why the Navy is complaining...

 

[Armand2REP]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

Over INS virrat and inside its hangers, Operational Dhruvs..

It is not operational as it never received certification for naval ops.

Broadsword: The Indian Navy’s Dhruv: falling between two stools

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Re: INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

The article talks about why Dhruv light helo cannot take place of Medium class Sea Kings..

It has nothing what you talking here, With out certification helo cannot be stationed on an active CV or Naval station..

Dhruv in IN are mainly for Search and Rescue ops..

It is not operational as it never received certification for naval ops.

Broadsword: The Indian Navy's Dhruv: falling between two stools