ALH Dhruv, : Features
The Indian Army has resumed limited operations of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in the Anantnag region.
- Advanced Light Helicopter or ALH-DHRUV is an indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine.
- It has a multi-role, multi-mission dimension to it.
- Even though its development started in 1984, and was initially designed with Germany’s assistance, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB), the helicopter was first flown in 1992 but entered service after certification in 2002.
- According to HAL, the aircraft is “type–certified” for military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
- HAL has bagged orders for 73 ALH in 2017 from the Indian Army, Coast Guard, and Navy for ALH Mk-III & Mk-IV variants. It has also been supplied to the Nepal Army, the Mauritius Police, and the Maldives.
- Features:
- Twin-engine configuration
- Glass cockpit with advanced avionics
- Crashworthy airframe and landing gear
- Composite interchangeable main rotor blades
- Chaff and flare dispenser
- Helmet Pointing System
- Integrated self-protection suite
- On-board inert gas generation system
- Capability to operate in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions
