Indian Military Helicopters

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Indranil
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Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Indranil »

NRao
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by NRao »

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9M0X7UYFc0/V ... C_4630.JPG

All those rectangular panels I assume are access panels.

I also assume that they will have some sort of a cladding to make it stealthy. Unless they go with a paint, how will they tackle those panels?
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

^^^
Maybe they will install a Trophy kind of system :P , a NRUAV system might be useful to try it out
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by member_22605 »

Would be happy if you could explain how the panels affect the "stealth" of the aircraft and also the thing about paint in your post kinda didn't make sense too.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by shiv »

NRao wrote:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9M0X7UYFc0/V ... C_4630.JPG

All those rectangular panels I assume are access panels.

I also assume that they will have some sort of a cladding to make it stealthy. Unless they go with a paint, how will they tackle those panels?
They could be panels where the metal is cut out and replaced with composite,making it lighter, tougher and more stealthy. Note that the peripheral angled parts could be metal and the flat bits composite.

The other question is, no matter what the Americans seem to be saying and doing, how important is radar stealth to a helicopter that will be directly exposed to enemy gunfire while approaching the area with stealthy nap-of-the-earth flying. Weight, noise and IR reductions would IMO be more profitable than a massive reduction in radar reflections - much of which comes from the rotors anyway rather than the body.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Thakur_B »

raghuk wrote:Would be happy if you could explain how the panels affect the "stealth" of the aircraft and also the thing about paint in your post kinda didn't make sense too.
Raghu saheb, any chai biscuit on the IMRH program ?
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by deejay »

At the speeds that helicopters fly, the parasite drag effect of the tail gear should not be important. The fairing looks like a protective cover for the hydraulic struts (IMO).

For details on Helicopter Aerodynamics one may read up R W Prouty's books.

@Shreeman ji, Helicopter flight lines always see hover 'taxi' from the 'Dispersal' area itself in case of birds with skids. Only wheeled birds taxi out. The Dispersal discipline is paramount and in the video I saw there were no visible violation. The ATC is in control of Crash Fire Tenders and other emergency services and at a time when the airfield is live the CFT's would remain in central location to cover the entire airfield.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by SaiK »

tarmak updates

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2014/11/l ... video.html
check out the video

Image
Image
Image
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by srin »

On the drag issue, I refer you to the AeroIndia 2013 LCH seminar from Prasad Sampath. Goto 24:50.



The only surprise here is that the TD3 doesn't have fairing on the Main landing gear.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Thakur_B »

srin wrote:On the drag issue, I refer you to the AeroIndia 2013 LCH seminar from Prasad Sampath. Goto 24:50.



The only surprise here is that the TD3 doesn't have fairing on the Main landing gear.
TD-2 got it after a while, TD-3 will too hopefully.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Karan M »

shiv wrote:
NRao wrote:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9M0X7UYFc0/V ... C_4630.JPG

All those rectangular panels I assume are access panels.

I also assume that they will have some sort of a cladding to make it stealthy. Unless they go with a paint, how will they tackle those panels?
They could be panels where the metal is cut out and replaced with composite,making it lighter, tougher and more stealthy. Note that the peripheral angled parts could be metal and the flat bits composite.

The other question is, no matter what the Americans seem to be saying and doing, how important is radar stealth to a helicopter that will be directly exposed to enemy gunfire while approaching the area with stealthy nap-of-the-earth flying. Weight, noise and IR reductions would IMO be more profitable than a massive reduction in radar reflections - much of which comes from the rotors anyway rather than the body.
Reducing radar reflections will be key to reducing the range at which it can be detected if the opponent has located radars on tall masts for low flying objects
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by NRao »

^^^^^

I agree.

"Stealth" never has meant "invisible". It has *always* meant later-the-detection-the-better. And, "stealth" comes in many shapes and forms.

Having said that I have been around Apaches (got some cool pictures too), but never took the time to look at "panels" - never struck me as an important item to look for nor did I "panels" stick out on that bird.

But, that particular picture struck me in two respects: 1) The shape of the bird - is clearly shaped to reflect as little as possible and 2) It seemed to have a lot of access panels - may be the numbers are justifiable, do not know - which is why I posed that question. The two seemed somewhat contradictory and yet it was there. So, the next question was how is such a problem solved (one was is to have saw tooth edges) - paint, some other material, ..........??????

Being a TD could be this is question too early in the process. Who knows they may even reduce the number of panels.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Indranil »

Raghuk, Congratulations on the first flight of TD-3.

Please answer at your discretion.
1. Why isn't the TLG fairing shaped as an aerofoil?
2. Has the designed top speed been attained, or are you guys still looking to lowering the drag?
3. I had read or heard somewhere that Dhruvs with fenestrons are being studied. True?
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by AdityaM »

Thanks!
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Comer »

@narendramodi
Handed over the DHRUV Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III to Nepal.
Indranil
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Indranil »

Tarmak007 reports that LUH GTV has undergone its first successful ground run.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Kartik »

Very good news on the LUH. Hopefully the first flight is not far away.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by srai »

Image
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Victor »

NRao wrote:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9M0X7UYFc0/V ... C_4630.JPG

All those rectangular panels I assume are access panels.
There should be a lot of armor plating around the pilots, engines and other sensitive areas. Not sure what materials are used.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Bala Vignesh »

Sraiji, Is that the squadron's coffee table book???
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by KiranM »

Interesting pics on INAS322 in IN website. I see an Army Aviation pilot on deputation in this pic. The same gent can be seen standing in another pic with Army shoulder insignia. Same pic I see 4 gents squatting who do not seem to have any shoulder insignia. 1 more gent on extreme left is wearing black insignia. Gurus can you please help out identifying the service of the 5 squatting gents in question?
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by rohitvats »

KiranM wrote:
Interesting pics on INAS322 in IN website. I see an Army Aviation pilot on deputation in this pic. The same gent can be seen standing in another pic with Army shoulder insignia. Same pic I see 4 gents squatting who do not seem to have any shoulder insignia. 1 more gent on extreme left is wearing black insignia. Gurus can you please help out identifying the service of the 5 squatting gents in question?
The three person squatting on right and two on left do not seem to be aviators. As evidenced by lack of Wings on left chest pocket which you can see on all other people who are pilots for sure.

Further, one can make out the Combat Divers Badge over right chest pocket on three gents on right which is missing on two gentlemen on left. Common to all of them is a badge over left chest pocket.

Considering that this is a SAR Squadron, the men with Combat Divers Badge could be the observers/rescuers for actual extraction of people from the water. The other badge looks similar to UAV Pilots badge - wouldn't be surprised if the Squadron also operates a flight of UAV.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by KiranM »

Thank RV. Any indicators about their service? The last person squatting on left seems to be wearing the shoulder sleeve insignia of Chief Petty Officer/ Master Chief of IN. But the 3 squatting on left do not seem to be wearing any at all. Looking at their combat diver badges indicates they are from IN, but combat diver badge is given to even other service folks who complete the course. From this pic I am trying to understand if there is deputation across services even at JCO/ NCO level.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by VinodTK »

India Requires Russia, S. Korea to Partner With Local Firms in Helo Contest
NEW DELHI — India's Defence Ministry has decided that South Korea and Russia must partner with Indian firms in order to take part in its helicopter competition, despite offers of complete technology transfer, according to an MoD source.

South Korea is offering its Surion light utility helicopter (LUH) and Russia its Ka-226 machine. Russian President Vladimir Putin made the offer during his Dec. 11 visit to India.

"MoD's decision to buy LUH only through competition from domestic vendors is a virtual rejection of any government-to-government helicopter production deal between India and Russia," said defense analyst Nitin Mehta.

The MoD source, however, said the decision not to enter a joint program with either South Korea or Russia is part of a policy to boost the domestic private sector defense industry, and that the MoD would like to see partnerships for weapons programs with overseas companies.

After coming to power, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi canceled two global tenders for light utility helicopter purchases and approached the domestic companies to participate in the procurement of unspecified numbers of helicopters, either alone or in partnership with an overseas company.

India needs 440 LUHs to replace its aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters used for reconnaissance and logistics in the high altitude battlefields in the Himalayas.

After the summit talks with Putin, Modi said in a statement: "I am pleased that Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian use. We will follow up on this quickly."

South Korea has also offered India full tech transfer of the Surion helicopter, the MoD source said. A diplomat from the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that a proposal was been made to India in December, but gave no details.

In August, MoD canceled the 2012 tender for the purchase of 56 naval utility helicopters, in which Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland were in the race.

In July, MoD canceled the 2008 global tender for the purchase of 197 light utility helicopters worth $1 billion, in which now Airbus Helicopters' AS550 was in competition with Russia's Ka-226T built by Kamov.

India's helicopter requirement is expected to grow to 600. In addition, the MoD also plans to procure 90 multirole helicopters worth $2.5 billion through the "Buy and Make (India)" route.

"Except for state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL], no private-sector defense major has ever produced a military helicopter," Mehta said. "But in the future, tie-ups are expected with overseas defense companies to tap the emerging helicopter market."

US-based Sikorsky and Tata Group already have an agreement, and in October, Airbus Helicopters also announced a tie-up with the Tata to jointly produce Avro transport aircraft.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Thakur_B »

Let HAL slug out against foreign designs like Surion, Ka-226, Fennec etc. I don't see any major progress on LUH procurement front for the next year and half. By the time trials are carried out, HAL's LUH should be ready for user trials as well. HAL's rotorcraft division being one of their better divisions should make them a heavyweight in this competition.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

Indranil saab, taking inspiration from the recent glide bomb test, can the LCH have its wings designed to provide such lift? check the 3rd picture of SaiK saab's post above

while there are no pictures of the glide bomb, speculation by BR members is it could be like this MSOV,

Image

with so much downdraft from the main rotor, these wings would see more air flow, even the tail planes, just that the AoA of the wings maybe be even more angled to the plane of rotation of the main rotor, obviously the goal would be fuel savings

then the chopper should be able to glide down on wings alone maybe for shorter distances for safe landing
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Pratyush »

^^^

IIRC, the MI 25 family uses the concept as visualized by you. That its wings do provide some amount of lift. However, when it comes to landing. Please note that every helo has the auto rotation ?? landing capacity. So am not sure what your point is regarding the sorter distance for safe landing.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

Heard about that on Mi-25 series, however the glide bomb has set a new benchmark, and from a layman's pov, I don't think these wings are as optimized to glide

auto rotation is there, but it relies on pilot skill while a glide landing can be done using the FCS, or rotors could be gone like those recent chetak accidents or you are in mountainous terrain, and very few spots to even land and not end up on a slope
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by shiv »

Helicopters are called "rotary wing" because the rotating blades act like a solid disc wing placed above the fuselage. As long as the rotors rotate, even without engine power, they provide some lift. The big difference between static wings and rotary wings is that rotary wings do not require forward motion for lift. Static wings do (unless some artificial means are used like boundary layer blowing). Without forward motion no aircraft or helicopter or bomb can "glide" on static wings. But a helicopter that is static and hovering in the air can still come down at a rate that is slower than free fall when the blades are in auto rotate mode without power.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

Agree with your primer, while hover is part of their flight profile, choppers do have forward velocity due to the tilt of the main rotor and then the blades themselves are changing angle to force air down when moving from axial to ventral position and then back to axial position so that air isn't forced on the airframe itself but only in the two hemispheres on the either side of the axial airframe. with the addition of stub wings, they might divide that down draft into four air 'channels', one for each quadrant avoiding the ventral line as well. Discretizing airflow just for illustration.

back to the glide bomb there were thoughts about integrating a turbofan to increase range which is compensating for the drag

if the Chopper's stub wings are ploughing through the forward quadrant air channels, they might as well design the stub wings for good glide ratio and tilt the main rotor even forward, the rear quadrant air channels might help the tail plane wings, the increased air flow around the stub wings from the main rotor is doing the work of the turbofan so to speak.

And before landing they could throttle down the main rotor so the lift is entirely due to the stub wings and the forward speed, well thats the concept.

In hover mode there is no such advantage.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Indranil »

I am sorry, I missed your post earlier. Please don't call me sir/saab. I don't like it. :)

Actually, I am confused with what you are trying to achieve. You want to use the stub wings to glide the helicopter down?

The Mi-35 (like the LCH) uses its stub wings to offload the rotors in forward flight. This allows them to have higher cruise speeds as stub wings have lesser drag. So they do what you are suggesting. If you glide a helicopter down, then you would need a runway which will defeat the purpose of making a helicopter in first place.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

ok Indranil, the time when the Mi-25 was designed and today when the one ton glide bomb was tested for 100km, one would think the stub wing design has improved, so would the fuel efficiency? given the higher lift from the new wing

and about the glide landing, the chopper still has its rotor running probably good for hover and land while the approach itself can be a glide while the rotor is still doing its bit with lesser throttle than traditional
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Indranil »

Unfortunately, the study of aerodynamics when it comes to subsonic low-sweep wings had saturated much before the design of the Mi-35s. The only things that have changed is the material, which allows us to make lighter and much stronger wings.

The wings on a glide bomb are designed for completely different reasons than the stub wings of a helicopter. The glide bombs fly much faster than helicopters and are not very manoeuvrable, allowing such small wings on such heavy bombs. The equivalent wings for helicopters would be much larger like the ones in the following hybrid examples:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by shiv »

vasu raya wrote: the blades themselves are changing angle to force air down when moving from axial to ventral position
Could you explain that? "ventral" means belly side, opposite of "dorsal" where the rotor is mounted. The main rotor blades don't go ventral.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

Indranil,
Thanks for explaining the funda of speed regime impacting wing size even below 1 mach, are any of the above are fuel efficient or lets say increase the endurance? I read the X3, 3rd pic from the bottom is a new design and might be going mainstream but with so many engines :roll: , while the last pic looks like is a mod for prototyping purposes? something a traditional chopper can be morphed to. Osprey's footprint is big.

shiv,
what I meant was the blade moves from the position alongside the chopper airframe to across and then back, while rotating the blade is changing its angle to slice the air for lift, this angle (AoA) keeps changing as the blade completes a rotation (the cyclic), the transition of AoA is modulated to avoid the downdraft being forced onto the airframe and maybe even the stub wings but only in the space between them, the four quadrants
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by Cybaru »

Any chai wallah news on the IMRH front?
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by member_26622 »

One development in Eurocopter was usage of 'electric' motors to run the two forward propellors. Compact size and packaging flexibility of Electric motors is leading to increasing use in ship/submarine/helicopters (and even 'Tesla' cars). Looks like the propellor shaft days are getting numbered ....
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by vasu raya »

Assuming the eurocopter's X3 is fuel efficient even with those props, the props block any weapon pylons if it were to be militarized
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by shiv »

vasu raya wrote: shiv,
what I meant was the blade moves from the position alongside the chopper airframe to across and then back, while rotating the blade is changing its angle to slice the air for lift, this angle (AoA) keeps changing as the blade completes a rotation (the cyclic), the transition of AoA is modulated to avoid the downdraft being forced onto the airframe and maybe even the stub wings but only in the space between them, the four quadrants
I cannot comment on this. I thought the change of angle of attack was only for the phase when each blade was moving forward (advancing blade) on one side because it would meet air flowing towards a helo in forward flight and would tend to generate more lift than when the same blade would while moving backwards (retreating blade) on the other side of the helo. That would mean just one cycle of change of blade AoA every 180 degrees rotation. What you are saying is one change every 90 degrees. I have never heard of this being the case, or that downdrafts on the fuselage are so significant that they must be reduced by a change of AoA of the blade every 90 degrees.
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Re: Indian Military Helicopters

Post by member_26622 »

As per my 'dated' readings, AOA of blades does not change during rotation unless you want to change amount of vertical 'lift'. Forward movement is by 'inclining' the plane of rotation of the blades.
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