+FormationLiaoning+escort+group+4+incl.+subs+Type+052D+Guided+Missile+Destroyer,+Type+052C+,+Peoples+Liberation+Army+Navy+5+Type+052C+Type+052D+destroyers+(7).jpg)
The 40 indigenously-built advanced light helicopters (ALHs) the Indian Army has bought for Rs 1,747 crore (Rs 356 million) have a technical flaw that prevents them from flying to heights of 6,500 metres, thus affecting operational preparedness in high altitude areas like the Siachen glacier, India's audit watchdog says."The ALH was not able to fly above 5,000 metres, though the army's requirement stipulated an ability to fly upto 6,500 metres. This deficiency was because of the limitation of the engine used in ALHs," the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in his report released on Friday. The army needs choppers of the ALH category for quick movement of troops and logistics in operational areas, including in the extreme weather conditions of the Siachen Glacier. The helicopters are also meant to enhance surveillance capabilities. The Indian Army bought the ALHs despite other shortcomings like unacceptably high vibration levels. According to the report, the army ordered the ALHs after its manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it would develop a more powerful engine to replace the existing power plant. "HAL, however, failed to overcome the shortcomings in the ALH even after five years as of December 2006. The inability to fly above 5,000 metres was due to the inability of HAL to reduce the empty weight of the helicopter as had been assured to the government," the CAG report said. "The army is compelled to rely on the old fleet of single engine Cheetah and Chetak helicopters which are of more than 30 years old technology," it added. "Failure of the army to acquire suitable ALHs timely has led to considerable dealy in de-induction of old fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which may impact operational preparedeness of the army adversely, especially in high altitude areas in forward locations," the report maintained.
.jpg)
4 comments:
Really how dumb is CAG? Everyone knew ALH engines were underpowered as US had blocked Allied Signal engines after the nuclear test. This is why Shakti engine has been developed. What is the point of discussing the status of ALH in 2006 now that the new engine is ready? ALH is not exclusively meant for Siachin. Just because a more powerful engine was not available earlier does not mean Army should not have procured ALH at all.
That article is years old here's a newer one & the Armed forces don't call it the alh anymore that was during the IOC & FOC period:
[b]8 Oct 2007[/b]
BANGALORE: If the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is doing wonders at the newly opened and high-altitude airbase at Manasbal (Srinagar) close to
the Siachen area, it is all credit to Bangalore.
Three of its pilots were the first to take the ALH to heights higher than Manasbal, which was also the first time an Indian helicopter was taken to that height.
C D Upadhyay, Unni Pillai and M U Khan flew the ALH at an incredible altitude of 27,500 feet in the Siachen area braving icy winds.
Upadhyay describes that flight: "We started climbing stage by stage... 20,000 feet, 23, 24, 25, 26 and then 27,500. It had never been done before. We were hovering and watching a Cheetal (another helicopter) land just below us at 25,100 feet. Landing at that height isn’t easy. We were ready to pick up the pilot if something went wrong.
"Naturally, we had to be at a higher altitude. It was cold and we were wrapped in woollens. There wasn't a single rattle at 27,500 ft... We'd worked out if the Cheetal could make 25,000 feet, the ALH could do more. We hadn't tried it on the Siachen Glacier. We succeeded."
Upadhyay and his co-pilots tried out the copter at that height above the Leh runway and the hills before taking on the glacier.
Minutes before the flight, Upadhyay said: "We checked the engine, then the software. It was fine. We were confident the copter would perform 100 per cent. Then we checked on the oxygen. At 27,000 feet, you need pressurised oxygen and a continuous supply. We ensured that. We did all the checks. We just took-off. The ALH was a beauty."
Upadhyay and his co-pilots were the first to put the ALH through the glacier. They flew it in extreme cold conditions. They flew it after an overnight soak. Then in chilly winds, almost blizzard-like conditions.
Upadhyay and co. did not have risk on their mind. "We didn't have the time to think. So there was no worrying. In any case, flying is part of our life. We have done it before and we'll keep doing it in future. If you love what you do, you don't think of what turns out for you. You learn to expect that in a pilot's life."
----
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Bangalore_ALH_pilots_fly_high/articleshow/2437840.cms
Next thing CAG will complain about is IAF acquiring underpowered LCA. Damned if they do and damned if they dont.
Friends we have to know that to build aircraft india has to be a industrial power which it is not hence we see all kinds of substandard aircraft manufactured in india. or they have a disproportionately high amount of foreign component.
Post a Comment