Tata Advanced Systems-Bell Helicopter to jointly bid for $2-billion naval chopper contract

[WolfPack86]

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will tie up with U.S.-based helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter to jointly bid for a $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract. TASL-Bell will jointly bid against Mahindra-Airbus combination for the naval contract, the Economic Times reported.

The Indian Navy is awarding a contract for 100 utility helicopters, which will be operated from warships and would have a "Make in India" tag.
Under the existing norms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms, Indian firms can bid for defence contract with a foreign company as a technology partner. Selection between Bell and Airbus is expected to be based on technical and commercial grounds.

"The TASL-tie up with Bell Helicopter is likely to be announced formally soon. It will make the competition more or less a direct fight between Mahindra and Tata," sources were quoted as saying by the daily.

The Indian Navy is on the lookout for alternatives to replace its ageing Chetak Helicopters fleet. The initial requirement is for 100 helicopters, but may increase as the navy plans to expand the size of its fleet.


TASL is strategic Aerospace and Defence arm of the TATA Group. It is a key player in India and delivers missile systems, radar systems, unmanned aerial systems and maritime systems. In the past, the company has produced major systems for global giants Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Bell Helicopter, which was founded in 1935, delivers more than 35,000 aircraft to its customers across the globe.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/tata-advan...ter-jointly-bid-naval-chopper-contract-684617

 

[Kshatriya87]

Can you post the specs of these choppers here please.

 

[WolfPack86]

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will tie up with U.S.-based helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter to jointly bid for a $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract. TASL-Bell will jointly bid against Mahindra-Airbus combination for the naval contract, the Economic Times reported.

The Indian Navy is awarding a contract for 100 utility helicopters, which will be operated from warships and would have a "Make in India" tag.
Under the existing norms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms, Indian firms can bid for defence contract with a foreign company as a technology partner. Selection between Bell and Airbus is expected to be based on technical and commercial grounds.

"The TASL-tie up with Bell Helicopter is likely to be announced formally soon. It will make the competition more or less a direct fight between Mahindra and Tata," sources were quoted as saying by the daily.

The Indian Navy is on the lookout for alternatives to replace its ageing Chetak Helicopters fleet. The initial requirement is for 100 helicopters, but may increase as the navy plans to expand the size of its fleet.


TASL is strategic Aerospace and Defence arm of the TATA Group. It is a key player in India and delivers missile systems, radar systems, unmanned aerial systems and maritime systems. In the past, the company has produced major systems for global giants Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Bell Helicopter, which was founded in 1935, delivers more than 35,000 aircraft to its customers across the globe.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/tata-advan...ter-jointly-bid-naval-chopper-contract-684617

Can you post the specs of these choppers here please.

Specifications (Bell 429)[edit]

Cabin of a medical evacuation Bell 429
Data from Bell 429 brochure,[33] Bell Helicopter 429 product specifications,[34] Flug Revue Bell 429 page,[35] Aviation Week[6]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot)[6]
• Length: 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m)
• Rotor diameter: 36 ft (10.97 m)
• Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
• Empty weight: 4,245 lb (1,925 kg)
• Useful load: 2,755 lb (1,250 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D1 turboshaft, 625 shp (466 kW); 730 shp (545 kW) takeoff power[6] each
• Cabin volume: 204 ft³ (5.8 m³)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 155 kn[6] (178 mph, 287 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 150 knots (172.5 mph, 273 km/h)
• Range: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_429_GlobalRanger
  
• Eurocopter AS565 Panther
  
  
• Specifications
  Engine - 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2C
  Power - 851.00 Horsepower
  Avionics - Thales Avionics navigation system
  Maximum Cruising Speed - 306.00 km per hr 190.15 mph
  Service Ceiling - 5,864.96 metres 19,242.00 feets
  Rate of Climb - 530.35 mpm 1,740.00 fpm
  Numbers Ordered/Sold - 0
  Cabin Height - N/A N/A
  Cabin Width - N/A N/A
  Cabin Length - N/A N/A
  Exterior Length - 13.68 metres 44.88 feets
  Wingspan / Rotor Diameter - 11.94 metres 39.17 feets
  Fuselage Diameter - N/A N/A
  Baggage Volume - N/A N/A
  Maximum Take Off Weight - 4,300.00 kgs 9,479.78 lbs
  Maximum Payload - 1,911.00 kgs 4,212.99 lbs
  Fuel Tank Capacity - 298.55 gallon 1,130.00 litres
  Fuel Economy - 0.73 km per litre 1.72 NM per gallon
  Minimum Take Off Distance - N/A N/A
  Minimum Landing Distance - N/A N/A
  http://www.aircraftcompare.com/helicopter-airplane/Eurocopter-AS565-Panther/210
• Eurocopter AS565 Panther
• General characteristics
  
  
  • Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 10 troops
  • Length: 13.68 m (44 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 3.97 m (13 ft 0 in)
  • Empty weight: 2,380 kg (5,247 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Turboméca Arriel 2C turboshaft, 635 kW (852 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 11.94 m (39 ft 2 in)
  • Main rotor area: 111.98 m2 (1,205.3 sq ft)
  Performance
  
  
  • Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph; 165 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 5,865 m (19,242 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 8.9 m/s (1,750 ft/min)
  Armament
  
  
  • Guns: Giat M621 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon pods.
  • Rockets: 68 mm (2.677 in) or 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rockets.
  • Missiles:
    • Matra Mistral air-to-air missiles.
    • AS 15 TT anti-surface missiles.
    • HOT anti-tank missiles.
    • Mk46 or Whitehead A.244/S anti-submarine warfare torpedoes.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS565_Panther

 

[Raj Malhotra]

This tender clearly shows gross incompetence of HAL is not being able to change the Rotor assembly Hub of ALH/LUH to incorporate folding blades. Unfortunately after the exit of MBB, HAL has been basically tinkering with the ALH design without being able to make any major improvement. I think that HAL should hire a major player and ask them to incorporate a new rotor assembly hug in ALH/LUH which has folding rotor blades assembly. Though it goes without saying that they need to get the LUH flying which we have been hearing about for last 4 years.

 

[WolfPack86]

TASL-Bell Helicopter JV To Compete With Mahindra-Airbus For $2 Billion Indian Naval Chopper Contract

Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) is tying up with Bell helicopters competing against Mahindra-Airbus combine for the Indian Navy’s $2 billion contract for 100 utility helicopters to be operated from warships.

Tata will form a joint venture with Bell to bid for the contract under existing foreign direct investment norms, ET reported Tuesday citing unnamed sources from TASL.

"The TASL tie-up with Bell Helicopter is likely to be announced formally soon. It will make the competition more or less a direct fight between Mahindra and Tata," people involved in the developments told ET. The Indian Navy is looking for a modern chopper to replace its ageing Chetak helicopters.

While the initial requirement is for 100 helicopters, the number may go up as the navy inducts newer platforms and increases the size of its fleet.

Under the route being followed to get the choppers, Indian companies will lead the procurement bids with a foreign company as a technology partner. TASL will be the lead company in partnership with Bell Helicopter, based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Competition for the new choppers is expected to play out between the Bell 429 and the Airbus AS565, one of which will be selected on technical and commercial grounds.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16...on_Indian_Naval_Chopper_Contract#.V3IkUfl97IU

 

[WolfPack86]

Tata Advanced Systems-Bell Helicopter to jointly bid for $2-billion naval chopper contract

A BELL 429 GlobalRanger Twin-Engine Helicopter
NEW DELHI: Looking to consolidate its position as a leader in the Indian defence aviation industry, Tata Advanced Systems is tying up with Bell Helicopter of the US to compete against the Mahindra-Airbus combination for a $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract.
The mega contract for 100 utility helicopters to be operated from warships will be awarded as a 'Make in India' project. Tata will form a joint venture with Bell to bid for the contract under existing foreign direct investment norms, three people with direct knowledge about the developments told ET.

Under the route being followed to get the choppers, Indian companies will lead the procurement bids with a foreign company as a technology partner. TASL will be the lead company in partnership with Bell Helicopter, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Competition for the new choppers is expected to play out between the Bell 429 and the Airbus AS565, one of which will be selected on technical and commercial grounds.
Bell 429 Cabin Construction

"The TASL tie-up with Bell Helicopter is likely to be announced formally soon. It will make the competition more or less a direct fight between Mahindra and Tata," people involved in the developments told ET. The Indian Navy is looking for a modern chopper to replace its ageing Chetak helicopters.
While the initial requirement is for 100 helicopters, the number may go up as the navy inducts newer platforms and increases the size of its fleet.
TASL is the leading military aviation player in India and has tied up for or is producing major systems for global giants including Sikorsky, Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated a Boeing-Tata venture for producing the fuselage of AH 64 Apache attack helicopters in India. The joint venture was described by Parrikar as the largest foreign investment project in India in the defence sector.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/06/tata-advanced-systems-tying-up-with.html

 

[HariPrasad-1]

OMG, All companies have lined up with TATA to make defense tie with TATA, Boeing, SAAB and many others.

 

[MKM]

Where is Reliance in this project?

 

[harsh]

Can anyone tell me how these helicopters are better in comparison to hal dhruv????

I think hal dhruv is same dual engine and better specifications.

 

[abingdonboy]

Can anyone tell me how these helicopters are better in comparison to hal dhruv????

I think hal dhruv is same dual engine and better specifications.

The ALH is 5.5 tons. For som of its smaller vessels (OPVs and the like) the IN needs a 3.5-4 ton LUH. The NLUH will be twin engined also as it has to operate over the water.

 

[WolfPack86]

Make in India: Tata Advanced Systems, Bell forge pact to manufacture choppers
Tata Advanced Systems and US-based Bell Helicopter announced an agreement on Thursday for working together to manufacture helicopters under Make in India initiative to meet civil and military requirements.

The pact looks to tap the multi-billion dollar potential rotary wing market in India in light utility and reconnaissance segments.

The scope is intended to include potential production and assembly capabilities, training and maintenance, repair and overhaul needs, research and development and technology sharing that will grow industrial capabilities and result in innovative Make in India solutions, a statement by Tata said.


“TASL’s alliance with Bell Helicopter is significant because of our shared synergies… our defence manufacturing capabilities and focus on innovation are well aligned with Bell Helicopter’s core competence,” S Ramadorai, Chairman of Tata Advanced Systems, said.
He added that this will build on the partnerships that TASL already has in the rotorcraft market, allowing it to offer a full range of products to potential customers.

“The collaboration, which is in line with the government’s Make in India initiative, holds potential not only in the domestic market, but will strengthen India’s position in the international market,” he said.

TASL, which is focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security, has become a significant player in the global aerospace market.

“We are honoured to build on our relationship with TASL to leverage its experience and knowledge to customise, integrate and manufacture specific local Bell Helicopter solutions for India,” said Mitch Snyder, President and CEO of Bell Helicopter.

Bell Helicopter has been supplying helicopters to India for more than six decades — the first Bell Helicopter was delivered to the country in 1953. Today, there are more than 90 Bell aircraft operating throughout India in several sectors, including commercial, civil and government, and military operations.
http://indianexpress.com/article/bu...l-forge-pact-to-manufacture-choppers-2913297/

 

[Bahamut]

Well it is a nice news.What is the time line for the production.?

 

[Mikesingh]

Wow! India seems on a roll!

 

[Zebra]

Are there any military variant of Bell 429 .....!....?