STATE-OF-THE-ART
LIGHT HELICOPTER
New Delhi,, 28 October 2005
New Delhi, October 29 (INFA): The first run of the latest engine
Ardiden/Shakti for Advanced Light Helicopter, developed by Turbomeca, in
cooperation with the HAL, has successfully accomplished its first run on test
bench. Developed in cooperation with
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), under an industrial partnership contract,
this engine combines simplicity, high level of technology, robustness and
modernity.
This new turbo-shaft engine completes Turbomeca’s range, the
largest in the market. Ardiden/Shakti has been designed in response to the most
demanding missions at higher altitudes and hot weather. The Ardiden 1H Turbo-shaft engine (called
Shakti in India)
will first be used to power the twin-engine Dhruv helicopter developed by the
HAL.
This aircraft offers a take-off load of 5500 kg. Its entry into service is planned for March
2007. It will initially serve the Indian
armed forces. For this purpose, several
hundreds of engines will be produced in the next 10 years.
The first successful run on test bench is significant
milestone for Turbomeca and opens the window for development and test phases,
allowing the validation of the good aero-mechanical behaviour and performance
of this new generation engine.
A number of testing of its components, carried out a test
rig before its first run, demonstrated the appropriateness of the technological
choices. This state will be followed by
the first flight scheduled for July next year and then by CASA certification in
December 2006.
Turbomeca (SAFRAN Group) is the leading helicopter engine
manufacturer, and has produced over 50000 turbines based on its own designs
since the company was founded. With more
than 2000 customers in over 140 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity
service thanks to its 14 sites, 3 subsidiaries, 25 Turbo Support Centres, 32
repair centres and 90 Field representatives and Field technicians. The Head Office is based in Bordes,
Pyrenees-Atlantiques (south-west France). Microturbo, a subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the
European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power
units.
SAFRAN is an international high-technology group with four
core business: aerospace propulsion, defence and security, aerospace equipment
and communications. SAFRAN has a 50
year-long presence in India. Its engines, avionics and equipment are
fitted on a large number of aircraft operated in India, both by the various Indian
airlines and by the Defence Services.
SAFRAN and the Indian industry have engaged themselves into
the co-production of some high technology products, such as the Shakti engine
with the HAL for the Dhruv helicopter and the Arjun MBT sophisticated fire control
system with the BEL and the DRDO. With
its R&D subsidiary and joint venture with the HAL both in Bangalore, SAFRAN takes an active part in the
development of the Aeronautical Indian Industry.---INFA.
DEVELOPING STRATEGY
ON WEATHER FORECASTS
New Delhi, October 29
(INFA): The National Centre for Medium Range
Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), which is the only agency which has an end-to-end
system for generating global and regional meteorological forecasts, has taken
up the task of developing strategy and roadmap in bringing about the desired
improvement in quality of forecasts and customize them for various sector user
agencies.
The Centre has reviewed the current status and developed a
road map for providing accurate weather prediction. The aim is to bring synergy in efforts being
made by various Centres in the country engaged in related activities. It has brought out a vision document to
accelerate improvement in Numerical Weather Production (NWP), guidance for
weather forecasting over the Indian monsoon region.---INFA
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