India flight tests ALH with folding rotor blades
HAL has flown for the first time an ALH with folding rotor blades, which could prove a boon for the Indian Navy. (HAL)
HAL’s latest efforts with segmented rotor blades could see the Dhruv helicopter return to favour in the Indian Navy.
A Dhruv helicopter fitted with two-segmented rotor blades, and a main rotor head in pre-cone configuration, has ‘recently’ made its maiden flight, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced on 30 June.
The flight occurred at HAL’s facility in Bengaluru. It followed earlier rotor track and balance runs, a ground resonance test and a clamped power ground run.
The folding rotor blades and pre-cone rotor head are designed to meet Indian Navy (IN) requirements where deck space on ships is at a premium. The system also improves the time between overhauls of the main gearbox.
The IN and Indian Coast Guard have
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