The Hindu Business Line : Chetak upgraded version makes test flight

HINDUSTAN Aeronautics Ltd today test flew Chetan, the prototype of its upgraded workhorse helicopter. Chetan is the rejigged, re-engined version of the multi-role Chetak.

HAL is also doing up its other copter, Cheetah, and offering the new version as Cheetal. A Turbomeca TM 333 2M2 engine replaces the old Artouste IIIB engine in both Chetan and Cheetal.

The defence PSU is fully funding the two projects, said to cost Rs 9 crore, and expected to lead the upgrading of the entire Chetak and Cheetah fleets.

Chetan will fly as one of HAL's showpieces at the Aero India show opening in Bangalore next week. It can fly nearly 450 km non-stop without refuelling and at a height of 2-4 km and a speed of 150 nautical miles per hour.

The two copters have vertical take-off and quick landing capability and can be used by defence and civilian agencies for personnel and cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, rescue operation, close air support, anti-insurgency and anti-tank and anti-submarine uses.

The full HAL helicopter showcase includes the latest indigenous advanced light machine Dhruv, the Cheetah, the Chetak, the Lancer, and now the Chetan and the Cheetal.

Currently, the Armed Forces, the Coast Guard and civilian operators such as State Governments and corporate users operate 250 Chetak and 300 Cheetah copters, apart from some 30 Chetaks that are in use in Malaysia and Zimbabwe. The lightweight Cheetah is HAL's version of Aerospatiale Lama SA 315.

The Chetan project was taken up six months ago after the refitted Cheetal recently created a world record by landing at an altitude of 25,150 feet on the Saser Kangi peak next to Siachen glacier, the HAL Chairman, Mr Ashok K. Baweja, said.

The new engine improves their reliability, carrying capacity, fuel consumption and operational costs, HAL said. Test pilot Wing Commander P.S. Rao and test engineer Squadron Leader S. Jain flew the inaugural Chetan flight witnessed by the Secretary, Defence Production, Mr S.M. Shekhar Dutt, and Mr Baweja.

Mr Baweja said Chetan would incorporate features such as light and modern cockpit instruments, avionics and GPS-based homing besides an emergency locator transmitter. .

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