Reviving the Reliability of HAL's ALH Dhruv
Around 300 ALHs { Advanced Light Helicopter } of various varieties, including the Mk1, Mk2, Mk3, and Mk4, also known as the Rudra Weapon System Integrated, are flying with the three forces and the Coast Guard. The Army operates around 145 indigenous ALH, 75 of which are Rudra, with another 25 ALH Mk-III on order and due to be inducted over the next two years. The Air Force has around 70 ALH in service, the Navy has 18, and the Coast Guard has 20 ALH.
The ALH is a critical fulcrum for the services, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is a utility helicopter that was designed in 1983 and is utilised across the services for a variety of duties, including personnel and material transport.
Following three separate accidents of ALH Dhruv in quick succession , Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has decided to replace a key component of the Dhruv Advanced Lightweight Helicopter in order to improve the fatigue tolerance of the made-in-India chopper, which serves as the rotary-wing mainstay for the Indian armed forces.
According to sources, the state-owned aviation will replace an aluminum-made control rod in the gearbox with a much tougher and corrosion-resistant material. This improves both the copter's fatigue tolerance and the pilots' control of the aircraft.
Insiders said the state-owned aviation will replace an aluminum-made control rod in the gearbox with a much tougher material and corrosion resistance . This increases the copter's fatigue tolerance as well as they pilots' control of the aircraft.
HAL officials said that the ALH had an excellent safety record, having flown more than 3,75,000 hours in the last two decades, and that metallurgical improvements to the gearbox's control rod is being carried out to improve the aircraft's performance.
The mean time for helicopter checks, which was originally 600 hours, has been reduced to 300 hours, and it has been learned that it has been further reduced to between 100 and 150 hours of flying.
Function of Control Rod in Helicopter Gear Box : Explained
The control rod in a helicopter gearbox is a mechanical linkage that transmits the pilot's control inputs to the main rotor and tail rotor systems. The control rod is typically made of a strong, lightweight material such as aluminum or titanium. It is connected to the pilot's controls in the cockpit and to the main rotor and tail rotor gearboxes. When the pilot moves the controls, the control rod moves, which in turn causes the main rotor and tail rotor to change pitch. This change in pitch causes the helicopter to move in the desired direction.
The control rod is a critical component of the helicopter's flight control system. It must be strong enough to withstand the forces generated by the main rotor and tail rotor, and it must be able to transmit the pilot's control inputs accurately. A malfunction of the control rod can result in a loss of control of the helicopter, which can be a fatal accident.
Here are the specific functions of the control rod in a helicopter gearbox:
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Transmits the pilot's control inputs to the main rotor and tail rotor systems.
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Allows the pilot to control the pitch of the main rotor and tail rotor.
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Enables the pilot to move the helicopter in the desired direction.
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Is a critical component of the helicopter's flight control system.
Here are some of the common problems that can occur with the control rod in a helicopter gearbox:
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Bending or breaking of the control rod.
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Corrosion or wear of the control rod.
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Binding or jamming of the control rod.
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Looseness or misalignment of the control rod.
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Damage to the control rod's bearings or bushings.
These problems can lead to a loss of control of the helicopter, which can be a fatal accident. It is important to have the helicopter's control rod inspected and repaired regularly by a qualified technician to prevent these problems from occurring.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
