Showcasing HAL’s prowess at Aero India 2021
Vayu : As we prepare for the forthcoming Aero India 2021, kindly give our readers an overview of HAL’s participation at the Show and which aircraft types would be displayed and flight demonstrated.
CMD : The primary focus is to showcase HAL’s prowess in the aerospace and defence arena to the world, with display of indigenously-designed and developed fixed and rotary wing platforms, technologies covering power plants, avionics, etc.
- With central theme of the India Pavilion being rotary wing capability in India, HAL’s rotary platform Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be centrepiece of the display with scaled models of the IMRH, ALH, LUH, LCH and the Indian helicopter manufacturing ecosystem/supply chain partners arrayed around it.
- The HAL Stall in Hall ‘E’ will display our capability and contribution in line with HAL’s central theme “Conceive- Indigenise-Collaborate”. Future generation combat-capable airborne solutions will be displayed here.
- The Outdoor display adjacent to HAL stall will feature rotary wing products namely the LCH, ALH Mk IV Rudra and ALH Civil variant.
- Display of the range of indigenous HAL platforms participating in static and flying display are included as part of Aatmanirbhar Formation flight. Both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft including the Su-30, Do 228, Hawk-i, HTT-40, ALH, LCH, LUH will be in the flying display. In the static display are HTT-40, LUH, ALH Mk. III and Dornier 228. Customer demo flights will be offered to select customers, on need basis.
- HAL plans to sign MoUs/Agreements with global aerospace majors/associates both foreign and Indian looking for capacity and capability to address the requirements of Indian Defence and global markets. HAL has planned to sign various MoUs/Agreements.
- Product Launch/handing over/major announcements on reaching key milestones are also planned, including handing over of first hardware of Semi- Cryo development project of the ISRO.
Vayu : HAL’s Helicopter Complex continues to develop variants of ALH, including the Mk. III wheeled version for the Coast Guard. Has the Service cleared its induction for deployment on board Coast Guard OPVs? What is status of the ALH variant offered to the Indian Navy, with folding rotor blades?
CMD : The newly-built ALH Mk.III wheeled variant for the Indian Coast Guard is integrated with nineteen additional equipment/sensors/systems for coastal security roles. All the trials needed towards certification of the new systems were completed during November 2020 at Goa. As required by the contract, final certification of the helicopters with 19 new systems by RCMA/ CEMILAC is at the final stages. After completing the certification by RCMA/CEMILAC and SOC by RDAQA, the helicopters will be cleared for deployment on board Coast Guard OPVs. By design, the helicopters are cleared for shipborne operations. HAL has two orders for ALH Mk.III wheeled variant which includes 16 helicopters for Indian Coast Guard and 16 for the Indian Navy. The Navy and CG variants of ALH Mk.III are built with capability for manual folding of rotor blades, meeting the contract requirement of dimensions and time.
Vayu : Series production of the Tejas LCA Mk.I (FOC) commenced last year with the first such aircraft handed over to the Air Force on 27 May 2020. When would the balance aircraft of this series be handed over?
CMD : We have orders for delivering 16 FOC block fighters to the IAF, out of which, first FOC LCA aircraft has joined 18 Squadron of the IAF in May 2020. Flight testing has started for two more aircraft and another six aircraft are in the advanced stages of system integration and testing. The structural assembly manufacturing is underway for the remaining seven aircraft from the FOC batch. We are steering to conclude FOC fighter production by 2022.
Vayu : HAL is now responsible for development of the LCA Mk.1A and the Air Chief has reiterated that formal orders will be placed on HAL for this type during the current FY. What are the timelines for completing integration of the chosen new systems and by when would certification be received?
CMD : LCA Mk.1A is an advanced variant of its predecessor variants. It comes fitted with AESA radar, Self-Protection Jammer (SPJ) pod, BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile firing capabilities, advance EW (Electronic Warfare) suite as well as Radio Transmission with SDR link. The avionics of LCA Mk.1A is equipped with smart MFDs and thus will elevate the Human Machine Interface. It is a much more maintenance friendly aircraft developed to reduce the turn-around time (TAT) of LCA fleet and thus enhance the combat readiness of IAF squadrons. It has superior combat edge and enhanced aerodynamic capabilities over LCA Mk.1 aircraft, which are currently in operation. The certification of these systems call for rigorous flight testing and performance demonstration for all the newly integrated systems. All these systems are planned to be integrated progressively and LCA Mk.1A Certification is planned to be obtained within the stipulated time to ensure delivery as per the contract.
Vayu : HAL’s Avionics Division at Hyderabad have received clearance for the first AESA Radar (CBU phase) to be fitted on the Jaguar DARIN III UPG aircraft. This is very creditable and would this success be reflected in the eventual fitment of such radar on the LCA Mk.1A?
CMD : AESA radar configuration finalised on LCA Mk.1A is different from the AESA radar fitted on Jaguar Darin III Aircraft. Both the radars will be manufactured at the Avionics Division Hyderabad under Transfer of Technology. However, the indigenous Uttam radar, developed by LRDE, DRDO is also under trials with the LCA.
Photo: Phil Camp
Photo: Phil Camp
Vayu : HAL have been producing the Sukhoi Su-30MKI at its Nashik Division for several decades and the licence manufacturing programme could be extended with the IAF’s order for 12 more such aircraft. What is status of the type’s upgrade programme?
CMD : HAL, with its rich experience and technology base is best capable of leading this indigenous upgrade. Indigenous upgrade will arm the nation with capability to carry out technology upgradation of the aircraft in future independently to address operational enhancements, obsolescence, reliability and maintainability to ensure a seamless life cycle support. HAL has proposed an Indigenous Upgrade Programme for the Su-30MKI aircraft to the Indian Air Force and has been pursuing with Air HQ for the project ‘Go-Ahead’. Scope of Su-30MKI upgrade envisaged by HAL encompasses development of avionics architecture with integration of HAL Mission Computer, state-of-the-art sensors and systems like the AESA radar, advanced EW Suite, and improvement in maintainability, reliability, addressing obsolescence and integration of existing/modern weapon systems. This indigenous effort will align and synergise with the country’s long term vision of Self Reliance through “Make in India” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Vayu : The Air Chief has recently reviewed the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programme and you have stated that the Company is geared up for productionisation of the LCH to meet all requirements of the IAF. When are the first series production LCHs to be handed over?
CMD : Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of LCH-LSP for Air Force and Army versions was accorded on 24 August 2017 and 15 February 2019 respectively. HAL has proactively taken up production of the LCH anticipating orders, in absence of firm orders. However, we have pursued with Air Force and Army to give us a Letter of Intent (LoI) so that few helicopters can be offered to them for early exploitation pending contract finalisation. We have received LoI from both Air Force and Army for five helicopters each and in this financial year we have planned to signal out three LCH.
Vayu : HAL has embarked on configuration studies of a 13-tonne medium lift multi-role helicopter (IMRH). Assuming that the Armed Forces are closely involved with the concept and configuration studies, what is the timeline for finalisation of the specifications?
CMD : As per Minutes of the Review Meeting (dated 2 December 2020) on the IMRH chaired by Secretary DP, the IAF and Army are to issue a finalised JSQR by April 2021. Based on this, HAL will have to submit the DPR by June 2021. A preliminary version of the Operational Requirements have been issued by Air HQ on 15 December 2020. HAL will provide feedback on the ORs to IAF shortly.
Vayu : Please update us on status of the HTT-40 basic turboprop trainer and as to when certification is expected? Meanwhile, a modified HJT-36 intermediate jet trainer has commenced crucial phase of flight testing. Have the IAF indicated firm requirements for this IJT?
CMD : The HTT-40 meets all the systems and performance requirements as per the preliminary staff qualitative requirements. All systems certification flights including hot weather, sea level and crosswind trials have been completed. The aircraft has also cleared the technically challenging stall and spin trials. Six turn spin capability has been demonstrated on HTT-40 aircraft and the spin characteristic is consistent. The final certification will be against the frozen requirements contained in RFP. All inputs required by Air HQ for issuance of RFP has been provided. The modified HJT-36 Sitara has commenced spin testing after the completion of all the prerequisites like spin recovery parachute system (SRPS) integration & streaming trials and stall testing. Presently two-turn spin entry and recovery has been established. Further spin testing is in progress wherein the number of turns are progressively being increased in-coordination with the certification authorities. IAF will be approached for confirmation on delivery of HJT-36s after the demonstration of six-turn spins. Regular updates on the progress of HJT-36 flight testing are shared with the IAF.
Vayu : The MoD has formulated a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020), envisaged as “an overarching guiding document to provide a focused, structured and significant thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for self-reliance and exports”. What are HAL’s priorities in terms of exports of its products?
CMD : So far, HAL’s exportable platforms have been the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Mk.III and Dornier 228 aircraft. Presently, in the rotary-wing side ALH Mk.IV and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and in the fixed wing segment, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft have also been added to the basket of HAL’s exportable aircraft platforms. In the near future, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 will also be pitched in the export market. With the introduction of above platforms to the export market, HAL envisages enhancement in exports in the coming years. HAL has been pursuing overseas opportunities in select markets and has responded to various RFIs received for its platforms. In addition HAL and other DPSUs have been entrusted with promotion of Indian Defence Industry Products abroad. Accordingly, HAL has taken the lead in eight countries allocated by MoD.
Photo: Phil Camp
Vayu : Another area of great importance is HAL producing the biggest cryogenic propellant tank for the ISRO. The success of India’s space programme is laudable and HAL shares the credit. Kindly give some details of HAL’s involvement in futuristic space launch vehicles?
CMD : HAL as a strategic partner has been associating with the ISRO on the Indian prestigious space programmes for the past five decades. HAL has been supplying critical structures, tankages, satellite structures for the PSLV, GSLVMkII and GSLV-MkIII launch vehicle. Today, the Aerospace Division is the only facility in the country that brings under one roof activities ranging from methodising, high-tech tooling, precision machining, welding, complex riveted and welded assemblies, integration and quality assurance of aerospace systems. The facilities have been augmented and modernised continuously over time to manufacture structures and propellant tankages of different types and sizes, different materials and varied complexities. The manufacturing excellence of the division is visible in production of space-worthy large components and assemblies with stringent dimensional and quality requirements. HAL has supported the ISRO for all its developmental programmess including Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Chandrayaan-2, Crew Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE), PAD Abort test for Crew Escape to the present stage of building a full-fledged launch vehicle for Human Space Mission- Gaganyaan. HAL will be supplying critical hardware for the Gaganyaan project for both the un-manned and subsequent manned missions planned by ISRO. HAL-made structures and propellant tankages have performed impeccably mission after mission. As an initiative to expand business portfolio, facilities for productionisation of Cryogenic and Semicryogenic Engines are being established at HAL. Also, the civil construction and associated facilities are also in progress for taking up stage integration for PSLV project in-line with stage integration of GSLV. Further, HAL is planning to support ISRO in its endeavour to involve Indian industry for total productionisation of the PSLV vehicle through its subsidiary unit New Space India Limited (NSIL). With this, HAL will be responsible for end-to-end realisation of the solid and liquid stages of the PSLV along with integration activities which are presently carried out by ISRO. HAL’s Aerospace Division envisages space programmes to increase manifold in the years to come for which the Division is gearing up in terms of modernisation of existing facilities and setting up of new facilities for ISRO. HAL will continue to participate and support the ambitious Indian Space Programme and is on track to become one stop destination for space hardware.