Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is preparing its indigenously developed Utility Helicopter-Marine for a maiden flight expected around November. The twin-engine helicopter has been designed specifically for shipborne operations and is intended to replace the Indian Navy’s ageing Chetak fleet. The requirement gained momentum after the Ministry of Defence issued an RFI for 76 Naval Utility Helicopters, comprising 51 for the Navy and 25 for the Coast Guard. Unlike helicopters adapted for maritime use, the UH-M incorporates naval requirements from the beginning, including folding rotor blades for storage aboard ships. It also features improved engine performance and flight-control systems intended to provide greater power margins during operations from moving decks. Its cabin can be reconfigured for personnel transport, utility missions, medical evacuation, search and rescue, logistics and humanitarian tasks. HAL is simultaneously progressing the Light Utility Helicopter program, intended to replace older Cheetah and Chetak helicopters operated by the Army and Air Force. Certification is expected by December, after which 12 initial helicopters could be delivered, six each to the Army and Air Force. Further refinement is still required in the LUH flight-control system and auto-rotation capability. The Army and Air Force are expected to require about 200 LUHs, although a large-scale procurement contract has not yet been concluded.
