HALs ALH(Advanced Light Helicopter), which has been in the making for 17 years and already cost Rs 535 crore has finally taken to the skies, first one being delivered to the Indian Coast Guard.
The ALH program was delayed due to the US sanctions, being Honeywell could no longer supply the LHTEC engines needed for the ALH.
Then HAL went knocking on the doors of French company Turbomeca, which has now produced the engine for ALH. AT present the ALH is flying with Turbomeca 2B1 engine, as the 2B2 engine is being developed. HAL has purchased 32 2B1s.
In next 15 years HAL plans to supply 7 ALHs to Coast Guard, 120 to Army, 120 to Navy and 60 to IAF.
Besides this HAL is also bulding an ambulance version of the ALH.
Attachments:
Sign In
March 20, 2002 at 2:32 pm