Swadeshi helicopters will make a dent in the 'enormous' world


- Hotline-Bhal Chandra Jani

- Another special feature of this helicopter is that it can fly from a height of 10,000 feet and can launch weapons from a height of 16,000 feet.

A miracle happened in Bangalore in the third week of last May. A brown helicopter emerged from the hangar of government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. On that day, in the presence of the Minister of State for Defense and the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics, coconuts were planted near the wings of the helicopter. Defeated. Everyone celebrated Khushali by distributing pandals and why not celebrate? The event itself was worth celebrating. It was something to be proud of. India's first light combat helicopter built on indigenous technology is ready to enter service. Appreciating its qualities, this helicopter is named 'Prachanda'.

Last October 3, the first batch of home-made Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) was handed over to the Indian Air Force. These multiple platforms (helicopters) will enhance the strike-capability of the Indian Air Force as well as be deployed in the high-altitude (mountainous) areas of the country.

The Ministry of Defense said that out of the 15 helicopters, 10 will be used by the Indian Air Force, while the other five helicopters will be used by the Indian Army. These helicopters have advanced light helicopter characteristics.

The important thing is that despite the fact that the leading countries of the world started manufacturing helicopters years ago, the helicopters that India has made have proved to be number one in terms of technology. Efforts have been made to prove this aviator as superman by employing all the modern technology of helicopter construction. Even in developing countries, no one can build such a helicopter. But 700 engineer-workers of (Hull) have set an excellent example by achieving this target on time.

A few years ago, when an air-show was held in the British city of Farnborough, India L. A mock-up specimen of H. was put on display. This half-made helicopter also created a good attraction among the people who came to see this exhibition of airplanes and helicopters. Because the details of this helicopter were praised so much in Chopani that no one could overlook it.

LCH What does (Light Combat Helicopter) have that helicopters from developed countries do not? In technical terms, it can be said that ultra light helicopters are new generation air craft. With a long range and an advanced airframe, the rotor system (the fan that rotates on the top of the helicopter), blade technology, flight control are all the best.

This 'colossal' helicopter weighs 5.8 tonnes and can carry out offensive operations in the Siachen Glacier and East Ladakh. This helicopter is equipped with 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket system and air to air missile. These helicopters can fly at a height of 5000 meters with weapons and fuel. According to a military commander, the need for helicopters equipped with this type of weapon was first seen in the Kargil war with Pakistan in 1999. India will need 160 such helicopters in the coming years.

The specialty of this helicopter is that it can face enemies in every season. Also, the capability of this helicopter is such that it can destroy the air defense system of enemy countries.

There are claims that the enormous helicopter is more capable than the US Apache helicopter. The Colossus is considered more capable than the Apache in terms of range.

If the huge helicopter is at a height of 6500 meters from the ground, it can destroy the target even 700 km away from there. While the Apache helicopter can attack the target only 480 km away from a height of 6400 meters. So, in terms of attack range, the massive helicopters made in India are considered more capable than the Apache helicopters of America.

Its most unique aspect is that instead of heavy metals in the construction of this helicopter, as many parts as possible are made of fiber composites. Made from glass, carbon and Kevlar mixed with epoxy resin, this material offers great strength. a. L. H. has a four-bladed rotor without hinges. While its hub (seat part for the driver) is made of composite fiber material. Engineers of 'today' could use composite material technology in helicopter manufacturing. That is something to be proud of. Instead of alloy of aluminum steel and titanium, this new material has been used by Indian experts in making advanced light combat aircraft. a. L. H has 60 percent surface coating of the composite.

Due to this material, the aircraft or helicopter becomes lighter in weight, thus saving on fuel, but it also has another strategic advantage in military use. Composite materials tend to absorb rather than reflect microwaves from enemy radars to some extent. So the full impression of the helicopter does not appear on the radar. In this way, the Indian helicopter has partial characteristics of the American stealth bomber aircraft.

Due to the use of fiber composites, the aircraft has become 20 percent lighter in weight. Despite being of medium size, the light combat helicopter weighs only 5.8 tonnes and can carry loads equal to its own weight. Other helicopters do not have this capability.

As the ultra light helicopter has a short power dynamic system, vibration generated by rotating rotor blades is reduced. Due to the anti-resonance isolation system, the noise generated in the engine compartment does not bother the copter pilot much. In addition, the helicopter received an armor-like cover and an isolated fuel supply system for the bayou engines. Even if the engine on one side of the helicopter is damaged by a bullet during the fight, the helicopter can continue to fly with the engine on the other side running.

Only imported material is used in this helicopter. It has two turboprop engines. Each of these engines, manufactured by the French firm Turbomeca, produces 747 kilowatts of energy. From which a. H. like this. It can reach a speed of 280 kilometers per hour. Due to the addition of digital electronic control system in the engine, the helicopter consumes less fuel while flying at a certain speed. A L of India. This is a significant achievement of H. Now Hindustan Aeronautics manufactures engines in house.

Advanced Light Combat Helicopters can fly safely in various environments due to its technical capabilities. Be it a dust-blowing desert region or a stormy ocean basin or soaring Himalayan peaks. A L. H. It flies unscathed in such an environment. That is why this helicopter can be used for military transport in addition to civilian.

Another unique feature of this helicopter is that it can fly from a height of 10,000 feet and can launch weapons from a height of 16,000 feet. The Indian Army will field an entire squadron of such combat helicopters by incorporating anti-tank missiles that match exactly with this helicopter.

We have deployed two squadrons of French-made Mirage-2000 aircraft. But since the microelectronics of these planes cannot lose heat, the planes have to be kept in air-conditioned hangars at a high cost. In the case of ultralight helicopters, special care is taken to prevent this from happening.

All three wings of the military are interested in the Advanced Light Combat Helicopter due to its unique features. Artillery i.e. artillery to increase its strike power in addition to guns and tanks. L. H. has shown interest. The country also wants to add advanced avionics to its airwings like the Navy's Dauphin helicopter.

The administrators of Hindustan Aeronautics have made an offer to the government that if it is sold at a price of five crore rupees per unit, this helicopter can be exported to Europe and America as well.

While mass production of these helicopters has not yet started, the Indian Air Force has ordered 65 and the Army has ordered 114 combat helicopters. Some security agencies under the central government are also considering deploying such helicopters to fight Naxalites. But the government has not yet taken a decision in this direction. It is also to be decided whether such helicopters can be attacked by air. Indian defense scientists have decided to mount the French-made 'Mistral' air-to-air missile on this helicopter.

If India can carry out production at a low cost by adopting the technology of helicopters and airplanes, then Indian helicopters-aircraft can be exported to many countries of the world.

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