HAL Medium Lift Helicopter

The HAL Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH) is a planned large rotorcraft in the 10-15 ton class. The company is currently seeking out foreign partners either from Russia or Europe's Airbus Helicopters, with which the company has ambitions of developing the MLH and for producing around 350 medium lift helicopters. The three branches of Indian armed forces are envisioned to be major customers for the type.

Medium Lift Helicopter
Role Utility helicopter
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Status Under development
Primary user Indian Armed Forces

Development

Origins

During the late 2000s, Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which was interested in expanding their rotorcraft offering beyond that of the existing HAL Dhruv programme, began to explore the potential for the production of a conceptual 10-tonne class helicopter; this concept came to be known as the Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH).[1] If produced, the 10-tonne MLH shall hold the distinction of being the largest rotary-wing aircraft to have ever been produced by India.[2] Early on, it was recognised that the type would be primarily marketed towards military customers, especially the Indian armed forces, and that the tentative programme would greatly benefit from the involvement of a foreign manufacturer in a partnership arrangement.[1]

Speaking in September 2008 on the company's ambitions for the MLH, HAL Chairman Ashok Baweja stated: "We plan to develop and build 10-tonne class helicopters in partnership with either the Eurocopter or the Russians... This would be a joint venture between the selected company and HAL".[1] At this point, there were public estimates of producing around 350 helicopters in the 10-tonne class, which was dependent upon the military market for medium-lift helicopters. HAL were also keen to explore the potential for export sales of the MLH, the prospects of which being recognised to greatly depend upon the foreign partner select to participate in the programme.[1]

During the late 2000s, HAL issued a formal invitation for bids from major rotorcraft manufacturers across the world to co-develop the MLH.[3] However, during July 2009, HAL reportedly cancelled its active tender for the helicopter's co-development; by this stage, both Eurocopter and Mil Helicopters had been shortlisted as potential technology and investment partners. Allegedly, HAL informed the two companies that the tender had been scrapped because of the qualitative requirements of the armed forces having substantially changed. Speaking at a national seminar held in December 2014, HAL's chief test pilot, Wing Commander Unnikrishna Pillai, gave a talk on the design challenges posed development of medium and heavy lift helicopters in India. He said that, following on from the expertise gained in earlier projects, the Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWR&DC) of India has become confident and is well poised to develop medium lift helicopters.[4]

Relaunch

During early 2017, HAL reportedly re-launched its MLH proposal, now seeking to produce a 12-tonne twin-engine multipurpose helicopter; a new project name, the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) was also applied to the programme.[3][5] The IMRH has been conceived for performing various missions, including troop transport, combat search and rescue, VVIP transport, ground and offshore operations, air ambulance, casualty evacuation, and cargo carriage, including under-slung loads. It is to be capable of flying at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet while transporting either a maximum of 24 personnel or a payload of 3,500 kg.[3][6] According to HAL, the proposed helicopter can lift double the capacity that is currently available using its Dhruv advanced light helicopter, which falls within the five-tonne class. One HAL official stated that the Indian Army is estimated to require up to 400 helicopters within the MLH's class.[3][7]

During February 2017, a full-scale mock up of the MRH was publicly displayed at Aero India 2017; according to a HAL spokesman, the mock up was largely based upon the existing Russian Mil Mi-17.[2] By this point, HAL anticipated the first flight of the helicopter to occur during 2019; however, the engine to power the MRH is yet to be finalised. Likewise, the rotorcraft's finer details have yet to be fully defined, and are to only be finalised after specifications have been received from the intended users. Additionally, operator acceptance trials have been expected to take about 7-8 years before induction.[2] In February 2017, the MLH proposal remained in the conceptual stage; it was yet to be cleared by HAL's board; accordingly, at the time, it was yet to commence formal design work.[3][5] The intended engines to power the type are yet to be identified, while the helicopter is intended to be equipped with automatic flight control system, modern mission systems, advanced cockpit displays, and other contemporary avionics. At the time, HAL is in the process of developing a large, ₹600-crore helicopter manufacturing complex in Tumakuru; this is to be the hub of the company's rapidly expanding rotorcraft division.[3]

During May 2017, HAL issued requests for information (ROIs) in regards to elements of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH); the requests involved the turboshaft engines, along with assistance in the development of a blade-folding mechanism and external reviews of the rotorcraft’s landing gear and transmission.[8] The landing gear is planned to be retractable and use an active steering system and self-centering capability, while the engines are to be imported, equipped with dual-channel full authority digital electronic controls (FADEC) and be capable of above-average high-altitude performance. Both the main and tail rotors are to be made of composite materials and are to be coated with radar absorbent/infrared resistant paints.[8]

Operational history

During 2008, HAL stated that it intends to offer the 10-tonne MLH to the Indian Navy for the purpose of meeting its established requirement for a fleet of heavy-lift helicopters.[1] According to an official statement made during early 2017: “HAL will target export orders, aiming to replace ageing fleet of similar class of helicopters that are operational in more than 40 air forces”.[3] As of 2017, a total of four distinct versions of the MRH have been planned, including a navalised maritime variant and a civilian-orientated model, for which HAL intends to achieve civil certification of.[2][8]

HAL has commented that the company has been examining the prospects of the indigenously-developed MLH essentially replacing the Mil Mi 17 helicopters that are in widespread use both abroad and in India, especially by its heavy use by most frontline operations by the Indian Air Force; possessing broadly specifications, the fledgling rotorcraft is to be capable of performing a greater number of roles than the Russian Mi 17.[6][7] While there has been no officially-stated requirement for a 10-12 tonne rotorcraft; however, the company has intentions for the IMRH to ultimately start replacing India's older Mi-17s after 2025.[8]

On August 5, 2019, it was reported that the process for securing government approvals for the helicopter has started. Full scale work will commence as soon as the project is approved, with first flight expected in 2 years. The requirement for such helicopters is reportedly of around 550 units.[9]

Specifications (projected)

{{Aircraft specs |ref= |prime units?=met |crew=2 |capacity= 28 seated troops / 4,500 kg (9,921 lb) |length m=25.16 |length note= |height m=6.22 |height note= |empty weight kg= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=13000 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name= |eng1 type=turboshaft engines |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp= |eng1 kn= |eng1 lbf= |eng1 note= |rot number= |rot dia m= |rot area sqm= |rot area note= |max speed kmh=260 |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |range km=800 |range note= |combat range km= |combat range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling ft=22000 |ceiling note= |climb rate ms= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |power/mass= |more performance= |armament=

  1. "HAL looks at foreign partners for chopper project." The Economic Times, 29 September 2008.
  2. "HAL hopes to fly multi-role chopper by 2019, yet to finalise engine." Financial Express, 19 February 2017.
  3. D.S. Madhumathi. "HAL unveils plan for 12-tonne helicopter." The Hindu, 14 February 2017.
  4. "HAL chief calls for stepping up indigenous helicopter production to meet demand." The Hindu Business Line, 28 December 2014.
  5. Mathews, Neelam. "HAL Proposes an Indian Multirole Helicopter." AIN Online, 16 February 2017.
  6. "This Indian Multi Role Helicopter By HAL Aims To Take On Russian Imports." India Times, 17 February 2017.
  7. Singh, Rahul. "India-made multi-role choppers to match Russian Mi-17s: All you need to know." Hindustan Times, 9 May 2017.
  8. "HAL issues RFIs for new 12t helicopter." Flight International, 26 May 2017.
  9. Pubby, Manu (2019-08-05). "India to embark on Rs 10,000-cr project to replace Mi-17 copters". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
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