Indian Military Helicopters

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 27 Jan 2018 10:54

Shubham, can you share the link please? I have been searching for the citations since yesterday, just found the Army gallantry award winners' list in PIB website.

Shubham · Post by **Shubham** » 27 Jan 2018 12:28

The link of citation posted above is
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease. ... lid=175900

One citation for Anti Naxal operation.
http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePag ... ID=1517887

In Jun 2017, the Chhattisgarh Police and CRPF had launched "Operation Prahar", a major joint operation against Naxalites in Sukma district. Anti Naxal Task Force (ANTF) was involved in large scale troop induction missions and was on hot stand-by at Sukma and Jagdalpur. On
24 Jun 17, a heavy exchange of fire took place between CRPF and the Naxals at Tondamarka located 20 km south of Chintagufa in Sukma, in which five jawans of the Special Task Force (STF) of Chhattisgarh Police were critically injured. Since it was impossible to move the casualties to any nearby helipad, the IAF agreed to evacuate the casualties from the encounter area itself. Sqn Ldr Kamal Sharma Flying (Pilot), an experienced Helicopter Combat Leader was tasked to proceed immediately to Sukma.

Sqn Ldr Sharma assessed the complete situation and took an operational update from SP Sukma. On receiving the go ahead from Task Force Commander, he immediately proceeded to the dangerous conflict zone to land at a designated unprepared landing zone as captain of the lead aircraft, with another helicopter providing overhead escort protection. The weather was inclement and the encounter zone was in thick jungles in an unfamiliar area where the security forces had never ventured earlier. Judiciously avoiding known threat zones and in a display of courage, he safely landed in a small clearing in the encounter zone in the thick jungle and picked up the five casualties. While taking off, the helicopter was fired upon by the Naxalities. There were bullet hits in the cargo compartment and a rotor blade. Notwithstanding the firing on the helicopter, he remained undeterred. He displayed exceptional courage and situational awareness, in maneuvering the helicopter from the firing zone as the safety of the casualties, his crew and the aircraft was paramount in his mind. After ascertaining the aircraft's airworthiness by getting it visually inspected by the escort helicopter, he carried out a safe landing at Sukma. He further ensured that the casualties were promptly moved in the other helicopter to Raipur. By willingly accepting and executing a very high risk mission, saving precious lives and the helicopter, Sqn Ldr Sharma displayed exceptional courage which has special significance not only for the IAF but also for the troops involved in these operations.

For his act of exceptional courage and fortitude in the conduct of a daring mission in Operation Triveni, Squadron Leader Kamal Sharma has been awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 27 Jan 2018 19:33

There was this question asked whether boom can support 3 soldiers as a SOP. It can - since 2003
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galle ... e.jpg.html

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 27 Jan 2018 19:39

Shubham wrote:...

Thanks Shubham. I poked around around a bit, there are a few more citations there. Don't think all citations are released yet.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 28 Jan 2018 04:07

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Jan 2018 05:51

https://twitter.com/indiandefencera/sta ... 9746137089 ---> Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Rosboronexport expect to finalize their joint venture for the license manufacture of Ka-226 light utility helicopters in India by the first quarter of 2018. (DDR)

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 30 Jan 2018 12:43

Prem wrote:

I have seen different coloured jumpsuits in IAF - orange, green, dark blue, etc. Can anyone tell me what each colour represents?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Jan 2018 20:42

Orange is usually used by air crew that operate over sea. Easy to spot via helicopter - in the vast ocean - in the unfortunate event of a crash. There is a picture on BR's IAF page of a Su-30MKI crew wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Added Later: Found it! Check link below and look at the WSO (rear air crew). You can see the orange jumpsuit.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galle ... 9.jpg.html

Green is the standard used by air crew. Dark Blue is more or less the same, but I could be wrong. Perhaps deejay or some other guru can enlighten on dark blue.

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 31 Jan 2018 11:45

Thanks Rakesh, I used to think Naval Aviation chaps only wore orange; your point makes more sense though - all pilots flying over sea wear orange.

Let's see what Deejay has to say about dark blue vs green.

srai · Post by **srai** » 31 Jan 2018 12:58

Dark blue is worn by engineers going by the recent Tejas squadron video uploaded by Tarmak007.

Haridas · Post by **Haridas** » 31 Jan 2018 14:07

Rakesh wrote:Orange is usually used by air crew that operate over sea. Easy to spot via helicopter - in the vast ocean - in the unfortunate event of a crash. There is a picture on BR's IAF page of a Su-30MKI crew wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Added Later: Found it! Check link below and look at the WSO (rear air crew). You can see the orange jumpsuit.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galle ... 9.jpg.html

Green is the standard used by air crew. Dark Blue is more or less the same, but I could be wrong. Perhaps deejay or some other guru can enlighten on dark blue.

I have seen some Pilots of 114HU at Leh wear orange overalls.
My father used to sometime wear orange overall when flying Superconnie @ #6 IAF Sqn, or when in training command, or even when he was examiner at the Aircrew Examining Board.
So there is no hard & fast rule.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Jan 2018 14:53

Avalanche rescue stuff / snow rescue also is orange as are signal smoke flares

ashishvikas · Post by **ashishvikas** » 31 Jan 2018 19:17

LCH Makes Maiden Flight with Indigenous AFCS. It is Designed & Developed for the First Time in the Country by HAL.

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/958696004441681921

Shubham · Post by **Shubham** » 31 Jan 2018 19:32

atreya wrote:
Prem wrote:
I have seen different coloured jumpsuits in IAF - orange, green, dark blue, etc. Can anyone tell me what each colour represents?

Orange provides good contrast so it preferred in snow bound areas and sort of necessary in case of sea flying.

Green is the standard flame retardant one, used by all aircrew ( pilot, engineer, gunner etc) , across different services and platforms.

Indigo blue was the vintage, used before flame retardant green came into vague.

But I heard, one can wear what he/she can manage !!

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 31 Jan 2018 20:54

Light Combat Helicopter makes maiden flight with indigenously developed AFCS

HAL today said it has carried out the first flight of Light Combat Helicopter (Technology Demonstrator-2) with the Automatic Flight Control System designed by it, for the first time in the country.

The maiden flight was 'flawless' and flew for 20 minutes with the engagement of the system throughout, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said in a press release.

Wing Commander( Retd) Unni K Pillai, Chief Test Pilot and Group Captain (Retd) Rajesh Verma, Test Pilot were at the controls of LCH, it said.

The development of indigenous AFCS is a HAL funded project and would replace the high value imported system, HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

"The AFCS is a digital four axis flight control system capable of performing control and stability augmentation function and auto-pilot modes of helicopters."

"The indigenous development of the Hardware, Software and Control Law is a fully in-house effort of HAL R&D Centres - RWR&DC and MCSRDC at Bengaluru, SLRDC at Hyderabad and Korwa Division," he said.

Representatives from certification agencies and senior officers from HAL were present during the flight.

HAL said it has already indigenised the Cockpit Display System on LCH, namely Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS) with the participation of Indian private industries and that development flight testing was under progress.

The Initial Operational Clearance for LCH was given on August 26, 2017 in the presence of the Union Defence Minister.

chola · Post by **chola** » 31 Jan 2018 21:08

^^^ Wonderful news.

HAL’s helicopter division needs to be recognized publicly and constantly for the absolutely incredible job it is doing. We need to remind the babus that we have a first rate helo industrial complex.

We need to hammer this fact home so we don’t end up with another firangi deal like the Kamov 226 that occurred during the same time as our very own LCH is being created and tested out.

Rishi_Tri · Post by **Rishi_Tri** » 31 Jan 2018 21:12

"The Initial Operational Clearance for LCH was given on August 26, 2017 in the presence of the Union Defence Minister. "

Wonder why LCH was not part of 26th Jan or there is good amount of news flow on LCH given that IOC is done, LSP production would have started, good number of firing trials have taken place? Is it that it shall deliver that huge advantage over the Pir Panjal, Karakoram ranges, and there is that urge to keep it a little more shrouded for all its worth.

Rishi_Tri · Post by **Rishi_Tri** » 31 Jan 2018 21:14

chola wrote:^^^ Wonderful news.

HAL’s helicopter division needs to be recognized publicly and constantly for the absolutely incredible job it is doing. We need to remind the babus that we have a first rate helo industrial complex.

We need to hammer this fact home so we don’t end up with another firangi deal like the Kamov 226 that occurred during the same time as our very own LCH is being created and tested out.

+++

HAL Rotary Division is shining light of India's defence sector outside of Missile Effort.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 31 Jan 2018 21:47

Not to be a party pooper, they still haven't managed to setup MRO facilities for the Shakti engines. We've 100's of helos that can be grounded by sanctions.

sudeepj · Post by **sudeepj** » 31 Jan 2018 22:17

JTull wrote:Not to be a party pooper, they still haven't managed to setup MRO facilities for the Shakti engines. We've 100's of helos that can be grounded by sanctions.

Dont worry. Now we are in a state where we will impose sanctions on other countries.

JayS · Post by **JayS** » 01 Feb 2018 10:52

JTull wrote:Not to be a party pooper, they still haven't managed to setup MRO facilities for the Shakti engines. We've 100's of helos that can be grounded by sanctions.

Didn't they start something in Goa...?

sum · Post by **sum** » 01 Feb 2018 11:02

The development of indigenous AFCS is a HAL funded project and would replace the high value imported system, HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

"The AFCS is a digital four axis flight control system capable of performing control and stability augmentation function and auto-pilot modes of helicopters."

I dont get it.....what was the CEMILAC certification for when the LCH LSP was inagurated last year if the 1st flight with the new ACFS is happening now?

That means the older certification was invalid and needs to be redone since ACFS is a big part of the system?

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 01 Feb 2018 13:36

Do the knowledgeable BRFites think this new flight control system (AFCS) could be a stepping stone to finally getting a desi unmanned platform? If so, it could be great news for IN.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 01 Feb 2018 14:16

sum wrote:
The development of indigenous AFCS is a HAL funded project and would replace the high value imported system, HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

"The AFCS is a digital four axis flight control system capable of performing control and stability augmentation function and auto-pilot modes of helicopters."
I dont get it.....what was the CEMILAC certification for when the LCH LSP was inagurated last year if the 1st flight with the new ACFS is happening now?

That means the older certification was invalid and needs to be redone since ACFS is a big part of the system?

That was with the imported AFCS system. And the LCHs will continue to be produced and delivered with imported AFCS till the indigenous one is fully certified. I think it will be at least 2 years till the new AFCS is fully certified as they need to run all the tests again at various flight envelopes and ensure it behaves similar to that of the imported one. In the meanwhile, the LCHs will be delivered with the imported AFCS

srai · Post by **srai** » 01 Feb 2018 15:42

Rishi_Tri wrote:"The Initial Operational Clearance for LCH was given on August 26, 2017 in the presence of the Union Defence Minister. "

Wonder why LCH was not part of 26th Jan or there is good amount of news flow on LCH given that IOC is done, LSP production would have started, good number of firing trials have taken place? Is it that it shall deliver that huge advantage over the Pir Panjal, Karakoram ranges, and there is that urge to keep it a little more shrouded for all its worth.

Once the LCH is inducted into squadron service, then only the IAF will fly it on the Republic Day.

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 02 Feb 2018 04:49

another Question @srai

why hasn't an operational squadron been raised to help with IOC to FOC journey
which was done for the Tejas.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2018 05:22

Khalsa wrote:another Question @srai

why hasn't an operational squadron been raised to help with IOC to FOC journey
which was done for the Tejas.

We don't know how many LCH were produced to be inducted into a squadron.
Soon they will be assigned to a squadron.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2018 09:22

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.in/2018/02/l ... r.html?m=1

Ajai has written a nice article on LCH:

Light Combat Helicopter gets cheaper with crucial indigenisation flight control system (AFCS)

The Light Combat Helicopter flying on Wednesday with an HAL-developed "automatic flight control system"

By Ajai Shukla

Business Standard, 1st Feb 18

The indigenous Light Combat Helicopter, which is already a success story that has been ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the army, logged an important breakthrough today by flying with an “automatic flight control system” (AFCS) designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

An AFCS is a powerful computer that keeps a helicopter flying stably, by sensing any deviation from level flight in microseconds, and sending flight controls the correctives needed to revert to stable flight.

So far, the LCH had been flying with an expensive, imported AFCS.

HAL developments for LCH:

“The development of indigenous AFCS is a HAL-funded project and will replace the high value imported system,” said T Suvarna Raju, the chief of HAL.

HAL’s Mission Control Systems R&D Centre (MCSRDC), which has developed this system, is credited with a string of software development successes – notably the Jaguar fighter’s DARIN navigation-attack system that guides the aircraft with pinpoint accuracy to deliver bombs on a target hundreds of kilometers away.

HAL also announced on Wednesday that it had “indigenised the Cockpit Display System on LCH, namely the Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS) with the participation of Indian private industries.” This system, which is being flight tested, also replaces an expensive imported system.

These import-substitution measures are expected to cumulatively bring down the cost of the LCH from the Rs 231 crore per chopper that has been negotiated for the first 15 helicopters that the military ordered in December.

The LCH is one of HAL’s four major success stories in helicopter development. It started with the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH), which is the mainstay of the army aviation corps. That was followed by an armed version of the Dhruv, called the Rudra, which participated in the Republic Day flypast last week. Undergoing testing is the eponymous Light Utility Helicopter, which is in a race with the Russian Kamov-226T to enter production.

The LCH was accorded Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on August 26, in the presence of the defence minister.

Benefit to Army:

For the army, the LCH is a crucial force multiplier – by providing fire support at extremely high altitudes to Indian infantrymen, who can carry only limited weaponry in those rarefied altitudes. With an LCH at hand, they will benefit from its 20-millimetre turret gun, 70-millimetre air-to-ground rockets, and air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles.

The LCH, which is a 5.8-tonne, twin-engine helicopter will cost less than half the price of the AH-64E Apache, which the IAF has bought from Boeing, USA. The Apache is more heavily armed and armoured and has the sophisticated Longbow fire control radar. The LCH does not yet have radar, but HAL is in the process of developing one before mass production begins.

I recall reading n the Flight international about a NATO exercise in the 80s when a flight of six MBB Bo-105 effectively stopped an armoured brigade. This spurred the development of anti-armor helicopters like Apache.

Thanks Ajai if you are reading.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Feb 2018 09:39

>> The LCH does not yet have radar, but HAL is in the process of developing one before mass production begins.

interesting data point. they might avoid the problems of managing vibration in a mast mount and go for roof mount, underbelly or under/over nose mount to start with...maybe even try a distributed aperture of one atop the nose and two under the belly side looking .. small apertures and light aesa panels. less challenging than a fighter FCR that must do 100s of things well.

this will still permit the longbow to claim the upar hand as a superiah tfta product and keep various big egos also happy while getting the dal-roti work done

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 02 Feb 2018 14:15

Khalsa wrote:why hasn't an operational squadron been raised to help with IOC to FOC journey which was done for the Tejas.

Operational Squadron do not help from IOC to FOC journey. No 45 Squadron job is to develop A2A & A2G Standard Operating Procedures, train other pilots as new planes come online, and give pilots experience in those planes. Tejas IOC to FOC journey was done by ADA and NFTC pilots on PVs & LSPs.

For LCH, HAL has ample pilots to do the IOC to FOC journey supported by ASTE.

LCH can fly in Republic Day as part of HAL contingent - that doesnt exist yet - but HAL can put up a team comprising pilots flying HTT-40 and various Dhruv variants manufactured by it.

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 02 Feb 2018 14:18

^^ Radar is overkill for a ground attack helicopter. An EO sight is good enough. A hell lot of effort goes in developing clutter rejection at low level. A Thermal Imager is good enough.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Feb 2018 15:15

I believe weather conditions, dust, smoke and next-gen aerosol clouds make life tough for thermals.
and secondly radar permits good viewing even at 8km and maybe even 15km for next gen ATGMs while thermals are limited to around 4km ?

i bet this is only for ideal conditions:: even a nicely made heat masking jihadi shawl will be useful to evade LCH and scowl their hated of yindia...

The FLIR Systems Ranger HRC infrared camera is network-enabled, and uses the MPEG4 digital video format. It has long-range optics that are able to detect a man-sized target as far away as six miles, vehicle-sized targets more than 12 miles away

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Feb 2018 23:19

GD, That is khan type logic which will delay what's available now to day after tomorrow.
Don't fall for brochuritis or Discovery channel videos.

IA needs LCH to roast Paki tanks in desert.
What jihadis you are talking about other than the fistula types?

jaysimha · Post by **jaysimha** » 03 Feb 2018 11:03

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease. ... lid=176091

Casuality Evacuation: Saving Lives

Nine year old Taufik started suffering acute pain as a result of a very serious case of appendicitis, at night. He lives in Gurez an area where adequate medical care for these situations is not available.

Prompt action by IAF and its highly motivated crew led by Squadron Leader Vinit Singh Sikarwar and co-pilot Lakhsay Mittal of “Hovering Hawks” saved a young life. Taufik is now recuperating at a medical facility in Srinagar.

jaysimha · Post by **jaysimha** » 03 Feb 2018 11:15

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease. ... lid=175770

20-January-2018 09:46 IST
Casuality Evacuation: Tibba Cave (link to the details was not posted earlier... )

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Feb 2018 03:14

HAL chopper plan gets ‘green’ nod
http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/b ... 856537.cms

The official green clearance has been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to embark on its Make-in India helicopter programme in Tumakuru by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The official nod for the project came on December 4, 2017. The defence PSU had sought the ministry to grant environmental clearance in June last year and subsequently the proposal for grant of environmental clearance to the proposed project was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee (Infra-2) in its meetings held on August 21-24, 2017. The foundation stone for the new manufacturing facility at Biderehalla Kaval, Gubbi Taluk, Tumakuru, about 100 km from Bengaluru, had been laid two years ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which he said that he expected the indigenous helicopter under Make-in-India, to fly-out by 2018.

The facility will have production, testing facilities and manufacturing capabilities of a wide range of helicopters of 3-tonne to 12-tonne class. The proposed integrated infrastructure facilities are conceptualized with an eco-friendly design and will have mainly buildings, heli runways, landscaping, etc to produce initially Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and ultimately with futuristic helicopters of new generation. The LUH is 3-tonne Class new generation helicopter being developed by HAL to meet the requirements of both military and civil operators. As per documents submitted by HAL the proposed site is sparsely vegetated arid land admeasuring about 615 acre has been allotted by Government of Karnataka to set-up an integrated infrastructure facilities for HAL new helicopter factory and township. It also added that the initial man power requirement will be to the tune of 1009 and will ultimately reach 4000 personnel progressively when full production is achieved. A township is planned in an area of 123 acre of land. Township will have 2,200 married accommodations 100 bachelors and 30 single living accommodation for officers along with other amenities which also include a 50-bedded hospital and primary school.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 13 Feb 2018 04:22

Interesting that there is no mention of assembling Ka-226Ts at this new helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumkur.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 13 Feb 2018 05:25

This Tumkur plant is the LUH and the heavy helicopter facility which was talked about.

Ka-226T was to be in Bengluru.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 13 Feb 2018 06:35

I was just thinking - nothing Russian is made in BLR..but all the "weshtern" and Indian stuff is..

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 13 Feb 2018 21:54

My guess is that Ka-226T will be in a new facility separate from all other HAL facilities. I recall there was talk of bringing in an Indian private sector partner in this project as a partner at a later stage, so HAL would probably not want to share any of their other locations for this venture.

At different times, Khemkas (of Russia fame) and Chhota Bhai have been mentioned as potential partners.

If they select Nagpur as the location, then my speculation will be right