Important Facts For Prelims
Apache Helicopters for Indian Army
- 21 Dec 2019
- 3 min read
Why in News
The deal for six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army is to be signed.
- Currently, the Army Aviation Corps operates only smaller Cheetah and ALH (Advanced Light Helicopters) that weigh less than five tonnes.
- These are in addition to 22 Apaches being inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which will replace the Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.
AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter
- Better known as an attack helicopter are received from the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA.
- These are all-weather capable, easily maintainable and have high agility and survivability against battle damage.
- The capabilities of the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter includes:
- It can carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.
- It can transmit and receive battlefield picture through data uplinking and networking.
- It can also shoot fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles, air to air missiles, rockets while providing versatility to helicopter in network-centric aerial warfare.
- It also carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
- The addition of the Apache Attack Helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of Indian Air Force helicopter fleet and the Indian Army.
Cheetah Helicopters
- The Cheetah Helicopter is a high-performance helicopter designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- It is identical to LAMA SA 315B Helicopter of Eurocopter, France.
- It is a five-seater multi-role, multi-purpose, highly manoeuvrable helicopter.
- It holds the world record in high altitude flying among all categories of Helicopters.
- The helicopter is suitable for commuting, observation, surveillance, logistics support, rescue operations and high altitude missions.
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV)
- 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 major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
