Aero India 2011 News

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) officially handed over to the Indian Army Aviation Corps (AAC) the first Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) powered by Shakti engines at Aero India in Bangalore on 10 February.
At a handover ceremony, Maj Gen P. K. Bharali, the additional director general of army aviation, received the first five of the twin-engine craft.
The Dhruv Mk.III is different from its predecessors by being powered by the new Shakti turboshaft engine co-developed by Turbomeca and HAL.
However, this is not the only change in the ALH. Dr. Prasad Sampath, general manager of HAL’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre, traced the progression of the Dhruv: ‘The Mk.I, powered by Turbomeca TM 333 2B2 engines, featured a conventional cockpit and minimal vibration control, while the Mk.II that appeared in 2007 had a glass cockpit and first-generation active vibration control. The latest Mk.III features second-generation active vibration control, Shakti engines and additions to the cockpit displays.’
Shakti engines mate a HAL gearbox and 1,032kW Turbomeca engine. The latest Dhruv Mk.III can carry a 200kg payload at an altitude of 6,000m. This compares with a payload of just 50-100kg for the incumbent 825kW engine. A high-altitude capacity is a critical requirement for the Indian Army.
11/02/11 Shephard