INDIA- HELICOPTER Competitions::News and Discussions

[jha]

Hello Friends ..

We all seem to be occupied with various Jet fighter which are to be inducted into IAF. But lets not forget the other fighter -HELICOPTER

Since India will be replacing its hundreds of Soviet era choppers , its just reasonable to have a separate thread on this.

Members please contribute.

 

[jha]

First of all let me list the type of helicopter which are going to be procured.

1. HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTER

2. HEAVY ATTACK HELICOPTER

3. MEDIUM LIFT HELICOPTER

4. LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER

5. LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER

if there is some other category also then feel free to contribute.

 

[jha]

1. HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS​

A total of 15 heavy lift helicopters are to be procured for IAF.
Indian Air Force has circulated the Request for Information for Heavy Lift Helicopters to the vendors.

For this contract, the bidders could include
Mil's Mi-26,
Boeing's CH-47 Chinook, and
Sikorsky's CH-53 Sea Stallion


1. Mi-26: The Mil Mi-26 (Russian Ми-26, NATO reporting name Halo) is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter in service in civilian and military roles. It is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.

2. CH-47 Chinook: The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed is 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h).Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply.Although some nations operate larger helicopters such as the Russian Mil Mi-26, the Chinook remains the heaviest lifting helicopter used by its largest operators, the US Army and the Royal Air Force

3. Sikorsky's CH-53 Sea Stallion : The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters.

 

[jha]

2. HEAVY ATTACK HELICOPTERS​

Earlier up to 80 helicopters were projected to complement the existing Mi-25/ 35 attack helicopters, but after considering the development of the indigenous HAL LCH, this number has been reduced to 22.
Front runners include:

1.AH-64D Apache Longbow
2.Mil's Mi-28
3.Kamov's Ka-52 Alligator

Eurocopter's Tiger has opted out of the race, because its undergoing upgrades and would not be able to participate in the field trials, which the IAF is planning to hold in mid-2010.

1.AH-64D Apache Longbow : The AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with reverse-tricycle landing gear arrangement, and tandem cockpit for a crew of two.

The Apache is armed with a 30-millimeter (1.2 in) M230 Chain Gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's forward fuselage. The AH-64 also carries a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire and Hydra 70 rocket pods on four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons. The AH-64 also features double- and triple-redundant aircraft systems to improve survivability for the aircraft and crew in combat, as well as improved crash survivability for the pilots.

2.Mil Mi-28: The Mil Mi-28 is a Russian all-weather day-night military tandem two-seat anti-armour attack helicopter. It is a dedicated attack helicopter with no intended secondary transport capability, better optimized than the Mil Mi-24 for the anti-tank role. It carries a single gun in an undernose barbette, plus external loads carried on pylons beneath stub wings.

3.Ka-52 "Alligator":The Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark" is a single-seat Russian attack helicopter with the distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau.Kamov also designed another two-seat variant, the Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator".The Ka-52 is another modification of the basic Ka-50 design. It features a two-seat side-by-side cockpit, and is designed to detect targets and redistribute them among supporting Ka-50s. In comparison to the original Ka-50, it has a somewhat "softer" nose profile due to the wider cockpit, reduced cockpit armor, and large nose-mounted radome. Equipment includes radar with two antennas—mast-mounted for aerial targets and nose-mounted for ground targets, and "Samshite" day-and-night TV/thermal sighting system in two spherical turrets (one over the cockpit and second under the nose). The Ka-52 retains the side mounted cannon and six wing mounted hardpoints of the original Ka-50.

 

[jha]

3. MEDIUM LIFT HELICOPTER​

Medium Lift Helicopter and VIP Transport Helicopters were to be procured together.IAF had floated a tender in 2006 for supply of 8 VIP Helicopters (12 person) at the cost of $25 million each and 4 Medium Lift Helicopters (30 person) at the cost of $13 million each to replace Mi-8 Helicopters of VIP Squadron. IAF has concluded helicopter trials of the contenders AgustaWestland AW101 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters in the period 14–19 January 2008. IAF found that Sikorsky S-92 failed to meet their requirements.
VIP helicopters are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art, open-architecture gear for encrypted communications by the VIPs, including the prime minister.

AgustaWestland AW101:The AgustaWestland AW101 (EH101 until June 2007) is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use.However this can also be used as ASW helicopter with a little modifications.

 

[jha]

4. LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER​

Indian Armed Forces have a requirement of 384 light utility helicopter to replace its aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Earlier Ministry of Defence had scrapped a deal in which Eurocopter AS350 was chosen but later some irregularities were found in the selection process. The helicopters were sought only for India Air Force and then the Indian Army and Indian Navy has joined. Since then HAL has also joined the race with its HAL Light Observation Helicopter and the deal was splitted into 187 indigenous light utility helicopter and 197 foreign, that will be fielded in a new competition.
The fresh global tender went to five companies namely the Russian Rosoboronexport (ROE) for Kamovs, two manufacturers from the US — Bell and Sikorsky, European consortium's EADS' Eurocopter and Anglo-Italian Agusta Westland. Only three firms Eurocopter, ROE and Augusta Westland qualified for trials.

CONTENDERS :

1.Eurocopter AS 550 C3 “Fennec”
2.Kamov Ka-226
3.AgustaWestland AW101


1.Eurocopter AS 550 C3 “Fennec”:The Fennec, the military version of the Ecureuil, offers adapted solutions to the wide variety of missions engaged by military commanders. The single-engined versions are equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 2B turbo-shaft engine, which provides improved high-altitude and high-temperature performances and excellent tactical flight capacities. This new turbine engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control provides a power increase of approximately 125shp, and also offers the advantages of more modern technology. This means easier maintenance. The multi-function capabilities of the Fennec mean that it can adapt to all sorts of missions, both day and night.

2.Kamov Ka-226: The Kamov Ka-226 "Sergei" is a small, twin-engined Russian utility helicopter. The Ka-226 features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin, allowing the use of various accommodation or equipment configurations.
The aircraft is fitted with trademark Kamov coaxial rotors, of advanced composite design, making the Ka-226 highly maneouverable and eliminating the need for a tail rotor.

3.AgustaWestland AW101 : The AgustaWestland AW101 (EH101 until June 2007) is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use.
The AW101 Merlin is well known for its extensive use of composite materials.The modular aluminium-lithium alloy fuselage structure is damage and crash resistant, with multiple primary and secondary load paths.

 

[jha]

5. LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER​

The Indian Air Force has ordered 65 LCH and is targeting a 2012-2013 entry into service.The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a combat helicopter being developed in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for use by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.The LCH is a derivative of the HAL Dhruv, which was inducted into the Indian armed forces. Using a successful and proven helicopter as the base platform is expected to conserve the project costs for the LCH, which is pegged at INR 3.76 Billion (US$78.8M).The LCH was expected to be ready for the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by December 2010 with the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) in 2011. However, the revised timeframes hold that the 5.5-tonne LCH should be ready for induction into IAF by 2012-2013.

 

[LURKER]

you forgot to add HAL's light utility helicopter which is also in the competition for light utility helis

LiveFist - The Best of Indian Defence: FIRST PHOTOS: HAL's Light Utility Helicopter Makes Its First Appearance

 

[jha]

^^ No i did not forget..i am going to highlight that now...however i forgot to write about this in the section. Thanks for reminding..will edit tomorrow..

 

[Capt.Popeye]

1. HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS​

A total of 15 heavy lift helicopters are to be procured for IAF.
Indian Air Force has circulated the Request for Information for Heavy Lift Helicopters to the vendors.

For this contract, the bidders could include
Mil's Mi-26,
Boeing's CH-47 Chinook, and
Sikorsky's CH-53 Sea Stallion


1. Mi-26: The Mil Mi-26 (Russian Ми-26, NATO reporting name Halo) is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter in service in civilian and military roles. It is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.

This bird is probably out of the reckoning, the IAF has had serious issues of serviceability and maintenance with the existing fleet and the lowest utilisation among the chopper fleet.

 

[jha]

^^^ These are just the contenders which were considered. CHINOOK and APACHE are almost confirmed in their respective competitions..

 

[chachachoudhary]

Sikorsky eyes helicopter deal with Indian Navy
US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky is actively pursuing defence deals with the Indian Navy to cater to its requirement of multi-role helicopters. The firm is offering the S-70B through the direct commercial sale route. Simultaneously, the US Air Force has responded to the Indian Navy’s RFP for a $1 billion multi-role helicopter with the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R.

“This is to meet the requirement for 16 helicopters to replace the aging Sea King multi-role helicopters. In addition to this, Sikorsky is also in dialogue with the Indian Coast Guard to meet their specific requirements and has responded to their RFI that was sent out for leasing helicopters,” Steve Estill, vice-president, strategic partnerships, told FE on the sidelines of DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi. The Indian coast guard is keen to lease around 10 helicopters and Sikorsky will be financing the lease, he added.

S-70B SEA HAWK


MH-60R

The helicopters will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare equipment including cruise missiles and torpedoes, and also be capable of being refuelled in flight. The type will operate from both naval vessels and land bases. The order is expected to go up to 60 helis.

 

[sudhir007]

Mi-26 carring CH-47 in Afg.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Sikorsky eyes helicopter deal with Indian Navy
US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky is actively pursuing defence deals with the Indian Navy to cater to its requirement of multi-role helicopters. The firm is offering the S-70B through the direct commercial sale route. Simultaneously, the US Air Force has responded to the Indian Navy’s RFP for a $1 billion multi-role helicopter with the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R.

“This is to meet the requirement for 16 helicopters to replace the aging Sea King multi-role helicopters. In addition to this, Sikorsky is also in dialogue with the Indian Coast Guard to meet their specific requirements and has responded to their RFI that was sent out for leasing helicopters,” Steve Estill, vice-president, strategic partnerships, told FE on the sidelines of DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi. The Indian coast guard is keen to lease around 10 helicopters and Sikorsky will be financing the lease, he added.

S-70B SEA HAWK

MH-60R

The helicopters will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare equipment including cruise missiles and torpedoes, and also be capable of being refuelled in flight. The type will operate from both naval vessels and land bases. The order is expected to go up to 60 helis.

Ideal A/C to replace the Seakings, high on the maritime shopping list.
And Sikorsky is very keen to sell. But the ghost of the Seaking sanctions has'nt been exorcised?!

 

[Capt.Popeye]

4. LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER​

3.AgustaWestland AW101 : The AgustaWestland AW101 (EH101 until June 2007) is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use.
The AW101 Merlin is well known for its extensive use of composite materials.The modular aluminium-lithium alloy fuselage structure is damage and crash resistant, with multiple primary and secondary load paths.

@jha
is this helicopter a contender in the 'Light Utility Helicopter' category?

A deal has already been signed for 12 of these helicopters in VIP configuration, will be part of the IAF's HQ Comm. Sqn. Intended to replace the existing Mi-17s. Please correct me if i'm wrong.
If already acquired, will be logical to build on the numbers.