Navy keen on weaponised Dhruv

[Sergi]

Ive read the passage. Iron Fist is a firepower demostration exercise. Formation flying is not that exercise, is it?

He said the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), under development at HAL, is also shaping up well, is all set to take part in the forthcoming firepower demonstration of the Air Force, Iron Fist, in Pokhran.


“The helicopter will fly in formation with other HAL helicopters Cheetah, Chetak and ALH besides doing some display-flying,” he said.

 

[kurup]

This is the Naval Dhruv .

IN has shown interest in Rudra .

 

[Skull and Bones]

This is the Naval Dhruv .

IN has shown interest in Rudra .

That's why i was wondering about their misplaced priorities.

 

[kurup]

That's why i was wondering about their misplaced priorities.

Can Rudra fit inside ship's hangar with those stub wings ???

 

[Skull and Bones]

Can Rudra fit inside ship's hangar with those stub wings ???

HAL did developed folded wings for ship based operation, but then again it was discarded for some weird issues.

 

[kurup]

HAL did developed folded wings for ship based operation, but then again it was discarded for some weird issues.

IIRC , it was discarded because it did not had automatic folding mechanism.The rotors had to be manually folded.

I was talking about the stub wings which carry weapons.

 

[acetophenol]

IIRC , it was discarded because it did not had automatic folding mechanism.The rotors had to be manually folded.

I was talking about the stub wings which carry weapons.

The navy was asking the heli for coastel security,may be to operate from shore based assets and not ships.

 

[Skull and Bones]

IIRC , it was discarded because it did not had automatic folding mechanism.The rotors had to be manually folded.

I was talking about the stub wings which carry weapons.

Still fits in the criteria for shore based patrol platform and ASW roles.

 

[Skull and Bones]

The navy was asking the heli for coastel security,may be to operate from shore based assets and not ships.

Not to forget we have a large number of Chetak helicopters to replace from many naval vessels, and Chetak doesn't field folding wings too.

 

[acetophenol]

Not to forget we have a large number of Chetak helicopters to replace from many naval vessels, and Chetak doesn't field folding wings too.

Chetaks were smaller and fielded 3 rotor blades and was obviously more simple and lighter.
Also,Navy wouldn't want to stick with some machine that had some disadvantage especially when we have every other option.

 

[The A-5]

He said the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), under development at HAL, is also shaping up well, is all set to take part in the forthcoming firepower demonstration of the Air Force, Iron Fist, in Pokhran.


“The helicopter will fly in formation with other HAL helicopters Cheetah, Chetak and ALH besides doing some display-flying,” he said.

Arey lekin bhaisaab, formation flying, display flying toh LCH kab se karraha hai! Nothing new in that.

First TD-3 must fly, then TD-1/2 must commence weapon-firing trials, which will span easily 6 months,
until LCH is cleared for weapon delivery, it can't be shown bombing targets in any exercise, display or air show.

And Iron Fist will start on Feb 15, thats just 3 days away. There's no chance LCH will be spotted doing
anything that it hasn't done already.

 

[Abingdonboy]

It seems like the IN were most impressed by the ALH-WSI's FLIR/EO pod. As stated the IN's interest seems to be mainly in shore-based surveillance as such I expect the IN will fly MK.4s that have the full sensor suite of the WSI but minus the weapons- maybe the cannon will be kept, but realistically for this task the IN has zero utility in rockets,A2A misses or ATGMs.


Whilst the ICG has a need for an interdiction helo that can fit a MG out one side and will also be deplyed with an ICG sniper. Look up the USCG's Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin and see the roles the USCG use this bird in for comparison.


All in all a good development for sure. This news could be a stepping stone for full ALH-WSI (weapons and all) being embarked on the future LPD/LHD of the IN to support their new Marine infantry brigades.


Interesting times.............

 

[rashtriya.rifles]

kripya koi sankshep mein batayega kitne tareeke ke helis HAL develop kar raha hai.. itne naam sun liye ki ab confuse ho gaya hun

 

[Abingdonboy]

That's why i was wondering about their misplaced priorities.

HAL did developed folded wings for ship based operation, but then again it was discarded for some weird issues.

Still fits in the criteria for shore based patrol platform and ASW roles.

Sir it's not about "mis-placed priorities" the simple fact of the matter that the ALH's naval version was simply not up to the task. If the recent Aero India seminars had made one thing clear it is the fact that the original mandate for a common 5.5 ton platform for all three armed services was flawed from the outset. The IA and IAF had very similar criteria whereas the IN had inherently very specific criteria and restraints. The IA and IAF were asking for a helo that could fly,land and operate at heights in excess of 20,000 ft whilst the IN wanted the same platform to be able to operate comfortably at sea level and in a maritime environment. Additionally all the equipment and capabilities the IN was asking for was simply not able to be in place on a 5.5 ton helo and such equipment and capabilities are only really found on helos in the 10 ton category.

Thankfully the IA and IAF got an outstanding platform but retrospectively it seems the IN's version was always destined to fail.

Not to forget we have a large number of Chetak helicopters to replace from many naval vessels, and Chetak doesn't field folding wings too.

Chetaks will be replaced by the N-LUH contract which is on and is at the RFI stage IIRC.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

It seems like the IN were most impressed by the ALH-WSI's FLIR/EO pod. As stated the IN's interest seems to be mainly in shore-based surveillance as such I expect the IN will fly MK.4s that have the full sensor suite of the WSI but minus the weapons- maybe the cannon will be kept, but realistically for this task the IN has zero utility in rockets,A2A misses or ATGMs.

Whilst the ICG has a need for an interdiction helo that can fit a MG out one side and will also be deplyed with an ICG sniper. Look up the USCG's Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin and see the roles the USCG use this bird in for comparison.

All in all a good development for sure. This news could be a stepping stone for full ALH-WSI (weapons and all) being embarked on the future LPD/LHD of the IN to support their new Marine infantry brigades.

Interesting times.............

I am inclined to go with your hypothesis above. The WSI Rudra may well fit IN's requirements for Coastal Surveillance Helos. I'd go so far as to suggest that it may even retain its present weapon fit; gun, missiles et.al.
The chin-mounted gun is a must but the Pars/Spike/Helina can be used against smaller warships/surface craft. I will even venture to think that the Helina/Nag when perfected can find itself being fitted on IN's FACs eventually.

Of course the weight/capability trade-off in case of the Rudra/Dhruv will remain an issue for IN's conventional ship-board ops. But it will be a suitable candidate for consideration when a Marine Expeditionary Task Force comes on to the drawing-board.

For the ICG, the Dhruv has already passed suitability requirements for shore-based ops.

Let us see where this leads.