Important Facts For Prelims
Dhruv MK III: Advanced Light Helicopter
- 20 Apr 2021
- 2 min read
Why in News
Recently, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Key Points
- About:
- 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.
- It is a multi-role chopper with the Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- HAL is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is governed under the management of the Ministry of Defence.
- HAL conceptualised the Advanced Light Helicopter programme in 1984. The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
- Features:
- The aircraft, a step up from Mk 1, will be able to mitigate low visibility during search and rescue operations even at night.
- It has a 0.7 mm gun, which will give a huge capability from a LIMO (low intensity maritime operations) standpoint.
- The automatic flight control system is hugely superior to the previous one.
- Role:
- The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for search and rescue, special operations and coastal surveillance.
