HAL Dhruv
Encyclopedia : H : HA : HAL : HAL Dhruv
| HAL Dhruv | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Multi-role Military and Civilian Helicopter | |
| Crew | one or pilots | |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.89 m | 42 ft 3 in |
| Height | 3.76 m | 12 ft 4 in |
| Main rotor diameter | 8.20 m | 26 ft 11 in |
| Main rotor area | 137 m² | 1,472 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Maximum takeoff | 5,500 kg | 12,100 lb |
| Empty | 2,580 kg | 5,690 lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Option 1 | 2x Turboméca TM 333 2B | |
| Power | 747 kW | 1,000 shp |
| Option 2 | 2x Turboméca & HAL Ardiden 1H (Shakti) | |
| Power | 900 kW | 1,200 shp |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 280 km/h | 175 mph |
| Range | 640 km | 530 miles |
| Service ceiling | 7,000 m | 23,000 ft |
| Rate of climb | 540 m/min | 1,771 ft/min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 1x 20 mm | |
| Other | 8 anti-tank guided missiles OR 4 AAMs OR 4 x 68 mm rocket pods (Air-Force &Army) 2 torpedoes, depth charges OR anti-ship missiles | |
| Customers | Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Nepal and Israel | |
The HAL Dhruv (Sanskrit:"Pole Star") is a multi-role advanced helicopter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). It is currently being supplied to the Indian Armed forces (Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army), a civilian variant is also available. It has also been exported to Israel, Chile and Nepal. Specialised military variants will eventually include ASW machines and helicopter gunships.
Development
Hindustan's ALH programme (Advanced Light Helicopter) was first announced in November 1984, but progress was slow. Even after the first prototype flew in August 1992, problems arose due to the changing demands of the Indian military, funding, and contractual issues with MBB, which was the consultant for design. Further obstacles were created by the US sanctions after Indian Nuclear Tests in 1998, which embargoed the engine originally intended to power the helicopter.Deliveries of the 300 machines on order finally commenced in 2002, a full ten years after the prototype's first flight, and nearly twenty years after the programme was initiated.
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