The Dhruv is designed as a multi-role helicopter for both military and civilian uses, with the main demand expected to come from the Indian Armed Forces. From 1984, work at HAL was supported by MBB (now Eurocopter Deutschland), and the helicopter features a hinge-less composite main rotor with elastomeric bearings and a bearing-less tail rotor. Also, composites are used in the airframe (nose, doors, fairings and part of the tail). In light of the high altitude fighting in Kargil during the summer of 1999, the Dhruv's hot-and-high performance will be much valued. Indian operations were initially handicapped by the fact that the bulk of the fighting took place in altitudes in excess of 15,000 feet where conventional attack choppers could not be deployed because of performance limitations.
Sarang is the first Indian Air Force helicopter formation display team. The team flies three HAL- ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv (North Star) helicopters from Bangalore. The word "Sarang" means Peacock in sanskrit and is chosen for it is
Date: 09 Feb 06
Views: 676
Serial: J4046
Unit: Sarangs
Copyright: Indian Air Force
The helicopter, also in service with the Army, Navy and the Coast Guard is a state of the art composite hinge less rotor design and is powered by two turbomeca TM 333-2B2 engines allowing sufficient single engine performance and cat'A' take off capability
Date: 09 Feb 06
Views: 705
Serial: J4045
Unit: Sarangs
Copyright: Indian Air Force
Three aircraft are currently painted in this new scheme, which represents the colours of the peacock. The team also practices with its non-painted ac and also with the only wheeled variant with the IAF (originally only the Navy and the Coast Guard are to
The first HAL Dhruv (J-4041), in IAF colours, prior to delivery. The first two helicopters were delivered to the Indian Air Force on 28 March 2002 at a simple ceremony in Bangalore.
J-4042, and other IAF Dhruvs, can carry a 20mm gun plus eight anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or four air-to-air missiles or four 68mm rocket pods on outriggers. It can also be used in the utility role.
Copyright BHARAT RAKSHAK. All rights reserved.Reproduction
in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of BHARAT
RAKSHAK is prohibited.
![A HS.748M [Serial Unknown] being fuelled](/IAF/Images/Current/Transports/HS748/Hs748i.jpg.html)
A HS.748M [Serial Unknown] being fuelled
![The first IAF Dhruv [J4041]](/IAF/Images/Current/Helicopters/Dhruv/J4041.jpg.html)
