ALH Dhruv being cleared for urgent ops; no routine sorties

New Delhi The military has started clearing the advanced light helicopter Dhruv (ALH) for urgent flying missions in batches after comprehensive safety checks to keep itself operationally ready, but routine sorties are still no-go after the indigenous multi-mission chopper was grounded following three incidents in less than two months earlier this year, officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday...

Most ALHs operated by the armed forces were grounded for checks after the recent incidents -- including the crash-landing of an army helicopter in Jammu & Kashmirs Kishtwar on May 4 in which a soldier was killed, and two pilots were injured -- raised serious safety concerns..

CEMILAC, which functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reached the conclusion that the design review of the booster control rods is mandatory after an expert committee, formed in the backdrop of a navy ALH ditching (emergency landing in water) into the Arabian Sea on March 8, explored the possible failures that led to the incident..

The design, development and qualification of the steel booster control rods that are tolerant to assembly errors shall be expedited, and the compliance of the new design shall be aimed for implementation in six months to one year, CEMILAC wrote in the letter dated April 23 to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the three services, and the coast guard...

Though the helicopters are matured from the design point of view, having been exploited for more than 3 lakh hours, still there is scope to review the design/lifting aspects of the safety-critical system by an expert committee as a long-term measure, said the letter, written by CEMILAC director (helicopters and missiles) DM Isack...

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