Coast Guard Conducts Landing, Deck Trial Of Indigenously-Built Helicopter
New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted successful landing and deck trial of the newly-inducted ALH Mk-III helicopter on one of its ships off Chennai coast, said an official statement on Tuesday.
The ICG called it a landmark event in “ship integration” of this indigenously-built helicopter. “In a sea-air coordinated operation, first ever successful landing and deck trial of newly inducted ‘state-of-the-art’ ALH Mk-III helicopter on ICG ship undertaken off Chennai on April 26, 2021,” it said.
The integration will increase reach and operational capabilities of the ICG manifold, it stated. “The ICG will induct 16 ALH Mk-III built by HAL, Bangalore under Atmanirbhar Bharat to enhance preparedness towards coastal surveillance and search and rescue operations,” it added.
ABOUT ALH Mk-III
The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class. The basic Helicopter is produced in skid version and wheeled version. Dhruv is “type –Certified” for Military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification (CEMILAC) and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Certification of the utility military variant was completed in 2002 and that of the civil variant was completed in 2004. The deliveries of production series helicopters commenced from 2001-02 onwards. A total of 228 Helicopters have been produced by March 2017 including 216 for the Indian Armed Forces.
The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV. The major features are furnished below:
