HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter

Dhruv Advanced light Helicopter (ALH) is a 5.5 t class helicopter developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics limited for Indian army, air force, and navy. In February this year, HAL handed over five Dhruv mkIII helicopters to the IA throughout Aero India 2011 Air Show.

The Dhruv has high military capabilities for heliborne assault, logistic support, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and training. It can even be used as air observation post. it's designed to fulfill the requirement of both military and civil operations. The civil variant of Dhruv carries forward the ruggedness of the military variant. It will carry six passengers in the executive version and twelve in the passenger version.

The Dhruv was originally powered by a pair of TM333-2B turbo shafts developing 746 kW (1000 shp) from Turbomeca of France. This was later switched to the LHTEC CTS800-4N turbo shaft (from the then Allied Signal of USA - now Honeywell) developing 970 kW (1300 shp). The more powerful CTS800-54 turbo shaft developing 1235 kW (1656 hp) was offered as an possibility. but these engines were embargoed by the US, for imposing sanctions on India for her nuclear tests in may 1998. Connections were re-established with Turbomeca and the TM333-2B2 engine was selected, developing 825 kW (1100 shp) at take-off, with growth potential to 900 kW (1200 shp) for subsequent versions and features full authority digital electronic control(FADEC).

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HAL Light Combat Helicopter

The HAL light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a multirole combat helicopter being developed in India by Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAL) to be used by the Indian Air Force and also the Indian Army.

The Light Combat Helicopter is powered by engines created by Turbomeca of France, and fitted with anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles and electronic warfare equipment, will perform anti-tank and counter insurgency roles, also as scout duites, escort to heliborne operations and support for combat SAR operations. Armament includes a chin mounted twin barrel 20 mm cannon, rockets, air to surface and air to air missiles.

The LCH will have a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with FLIR, Laser rangefinder and laser designator. Weapons are going to be aimed with a helmet mounted sight and there'll be an electronic warfare suite with radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver and a missile approach warning system.

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