The HAL Dhruv (Sanskrit:"Pole Star") is a multi-role advanced helicopter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). It is currently being supplied to the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, but has also been designed with civil operators in mind. Specialised military variants will eventually include ASW machines and helicopter gunships.

Development

Hindustan's ALH programme (Advanced Light Helicopter) was first announced in November 1984, but progress was slow. Even after the first prototype flew in August 1992, problems arose due to the changing demands of the Indian military, funding, and contractual issues with MBB, which was consulting on the design. A further obstacle was created by the embargo of the US engine originally intended to power the helicopter, as a result of India's nuclear testing.

Deliveries of the 300 machines on order finally commenced in 2002, a full ten years after the prototype's first flight, and nearly twenty years after the programme was initiated.

Specifications (HAL Dhruv)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one or two pilots
• Capacity: up to 14 passengers
• Length: 12.89 m (42 ft 3 in)
• Main rotor diameter: 13.20 m (43 ft 4 in)
• Height: 3.76 m (12 ft 4 in)
• Main rotor area: 137 m² (1,472 ft²)
• Empty: 2,216 kg (4,875 lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 5,500 kg (12,100 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x Turboméca TM 333 2B, 747 kW (1,000 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed (estimated): 280 km/h (175 mph)
• Range: 400 km (250 miles)
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
• Rate of climb: 540 m/min (1,771 ft/min)
• Main rotor loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass:

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