Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews April 2, 2013 The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in discussions with government-owned defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) about problems it is facing with a chip warning system that is repeatedly generating an alert on its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet. This has resulted in nine HAL/Turbomeca Shakti engines being replaced. ‘The warning light comes on because it detects chips in the system. That’s not a healthy way to operate a machine. The problem could possibly be because of a bearing undergoing premature assembly, or the casing not being machined properly [by HAL]’ a former maintenance engineer at the company told Defence Helicopter. While Turbomeca and HAL are in discussions to find a solution, the IAF, which has six spare powerplants for every 20 ALHs, is likely to run out of operable engines, leaving it with no spares should another emergency occur. ‘This means more AOGs,’ said an MoD official. HAL did not respond to requests for comment. ...

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  MARCH 1, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS HAL is manufacturing a re-engined version of the evergreen Alouette II and Lama helicopter series as the Cheetal for the Indian army. (Photo: HAL) March 1, 2013, 10:20 AM The Indian Army has placed a $77 million order with Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ) for 20 Cheetal helicopters, a re-engined variant of the Aerospatiale  SA  316B Lama that was built under license in India as the Cheetah. The order is a short-term measure for logistics support to the Indian troops on the Siachen Glacier because of delays to the twice-bid competition for 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters ( RSH ). The future of that requirement  is uncertain . HAL   has committed to “supply 20 Cheetals over the next four years besides providing training to its pilots and technical crew,” the company said in a statement. It has already delivered nine Cheetals from the 1...

AIN NEWS LIVE FROM AEROINDIA  »  2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Rolls-Royce is hopeful of supply more AE2100D3 engines to power an anticipated new batch of C130J transport for the Indian Air Force. [Photo: Vladimir Karnozov.] February 8, 2013, 8:45 AM Rolls Royce is attending the 2013 Aero India show with a renewed sense of optimism for its prospects in this key Asian market. At the last show back in 2011, there was some gloom when the  UK -based aero engines maker decided to withdraw from the competition for re-engining the Indian Air Force’s Jaguars. Now Rolls-Royce’s main focus in India is the  CTS800 turboshaft engine offered in partnership with Honeywell for the Light Utility Helicopter ( LUH ) being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. ( HAL ). The  CTS800  is competing with Turbomeca’s Ardiden 1H1/Shakti engine, which already powers the Advanced Light Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter prototypes. Com...

      AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  OCTOBER 19, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS According to Honeywell, the Indian version of the F125 will drop-fit into the country’s Jaguar strike aircraft engine bays. (Photo: Honeywell) October 19, 2012, 10:55 AM Honeywell has been asked to quote for the supply of 270  F125IN  turbofan engines to replace the twin Rolls-Royce Adour Mk 821s on India’s 125-strong fleet of Jaguar strike aircraft. The F125IN  is 600 pounds lighter than the Adour and is expected to enable 25-percent-shorter hot-and-high takeoffs. India’s Jaguars have become overweight and underpowered as a result of avionics and systems upgrades. Rolls-Royce previously pitched for an upgrade to the Jaguar’s existing engines, claiming that this would minimize aircraft integration issues, use existing infrastructure at Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ) and provide economies of scale with the HAL -built  ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Oct 9, 2012 Turbomeca is awaiting a decision on the bid for engines for HAL's LUH, expected soon. The engine maker has offered a variant of the Shakti engine for the LUH. “Most of the development is behind us. The first prototype depends on the final specifications HAL will freeze. (For us to work on), it will take less time than a full scale (design),” Philippe Couteaux, VP and GM Airframers, told Aerospace Diary. “The engine variant offered (by Turbomeca) meets LUH engine requirements,” added Couteaux. Turbomeca is celebrating 50 years of the Chetak (Alouette III airframe) originally powered by Turbomeca's Artouste IIIB engine. The first day of the symposium, held in New Delhi, was dedicated military customers with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd - partners of Turbomeca in India  - co-hosting the event. The second day of the symposium in Mumbai, will focus on issues relating to the civil customers. The India market is growing with 1100 he...