Review, IAI-HAL Chetak UAV for Navy

Review, IAI-HAL Chetak UAV for Navy

   India and Israel joined once again to execute a unmanned aerial vehicle project for the maritime purpose. This time Israeli IAI subsidiary Malat  joined hands with HAL who manufactures Chetak Helicopters and the mission systems integrator DRDO. Indian Navy will use the unmanned Chetak helicopters for future maritime search and reconnaissance missions.

   The NRUAV- Naval Rotary unmanned aerial vehicle project initiated early 2010 to meet the Indian Navy's unmanned operation of maritime multi layered Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions from warships deck. The project entirely based on the HAL produced Chetak helicopters who is currently being used in tri-services.

    IAI known as the best in unmanned applications, with the support from IAI's subsidiary MALAT the manned HAL Chetak becomes unmanned helicopter with improved ISR capabilities, which include a Maritime Multi mode radar in it's belly and a Electro Optronics for automatic tracking and target range measurement. The Chetak operates same as like the American MQ 8 Fire scout UAV.

    The Chetak platform can be operated from almost all kind of Naval warships, which include Coast Guard OPV's too. In the manned version using the helicopters for long time ISR mission makes human errors. this due to the heavy vibration and sea states. So making a unmanned system in the existing Chetak makes the Helicopter perform ISR mission for extra long time.

   Unlike the manned variant, The unmanned system comes with better sensor systems. The Chetak UAV can carry a maritime multi mode radar slated to be the modified variant of EL/M 2022 Radar. The EL/M 2022 used for Long range sea surveillance which increases the ships primary surveillance range, Anti submarine warfare capability, air to air mission which include detection of sea skimming missiles and weather applications.

    The actual range of EL/M 2022 is more than 200 kilometers. with the effective air borne system the Chetak also operates as a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft in theater applications, Such as fleet defense and forward fleet movements. The Radar also capable to take SAR images. with these unique capabilities, The warship off from the EEZ can easily detect and analyze threats.

    The Chetak UAV also carries a Electro Optronics pod for search and rescue mission. The EO system is IAI developed MOSP - Multi mission Optronic stabilized Payload. Which is used for identifying threats, and tracking it in real time, also used for Search and rescue operations for the possible current status of the mission.

    The Chetak UAV also comes with variety of EW and countermeasure systems developed by IAI. The system includes. communication and signal intelligence, plus Electronic support measure suites.

  The Chetak UAV is re designed to work in the operational altitude of 15,000 Feet, with the operational area of some 150 kilometer with six hours of loiter time. with the maximum speed of 100 knots.

    Most of the newer Indian warships can carry two helicopters, the main reason is to carry a Chetak UAV along with Naval Multi role helicopters. To increase the ships performance in future battles. The Chetak UAV can provide over the Horizon detection support to the Naval Ships.

    As per current status, The mission system supplier IAI, The helicopter producer HAL and the system integrator DRDO almost close to fly the system. However actual status of the Chetak UAV is remain classified.

The Light Utility Helicopter Deal

The Light Utility Helicopter Deal

 

          The Indian armed forces can boost of extremely advanced aircraft under the service but when it comes to the rotary crafts the word “Technology “needs to be questioned. The main stay of our armed forces under the rotary force is HAL manufactured Cheetah and the Chetak. The forces currently operate more than 500 of this rotary force. Manufactured from 1975 under the licence from Aerospatiale these forces have reached their shelve life and time and again have received numerous upgrades.  These helicopters have been in service for more than a span of 35 years. Right 2005 the armed forces have been demanding for a formidable replacement to these platforms that are a crucial part of any operation.

        The Army Aviation corps which is operating around 108 of these helicopters had asked for an replacement. The Army Aviation corps was allotted the ALH Dhurv as replacements for Chetak. With the crucial missions like Armed Reconnaissance mission, Support mission to ground Troops, Re supply, EVAC charged to the Army Aviation corps. Since the replacement has been bought no significant process has been made in this regard. The procurement has been announcing around in the MoD with several cases of scams being unearthed in this deal alone.

        The Navy operates around 55 of these helicopters. The navy has put in these helicopters for replenishing of ships, EVAC along with reconnaissance missions. These platforms have been extensively used for SAR role during Natural disasters. Even though navy insisted on clubbing the orders with the Army corps a deal was never signed.  The navy had now signed a deal for 16 Anti Submarine Helicopter S 70 from Sirkosky which would serve aboard naval platforms like the Destroyers and Frigates.

      The Indian Air force is also a major operator of Chetak and Cheetah. The Air force variant was armed with cannon and two guided anti tank missiles to give close Air support to the Army. But with advanced systems available with the enemy the present day battlefield have rendered these helicopters obsolete.

       With several key private players in the field of these rotary aircraft the government has now implemented the “Make in India’ which would effectively help in fast tracking the procurement of these aircraft. The government has now initiated the process where in a foreign operator would start a JV with an Indian firm to manufacture these rotary aircraft in India.

          The Air bus groups has now come forwards with the AS 555 design and the more sophisticated EC 725 to be made available to the Indian forces. The AS 555 is required to meet the original requirement of Light utility helicopter but the EC 725 is more than a Light Utility but it also fills the gap in the crucial role of Troop transport, which is a key requirement for Maritime Multirole Helicopters.  The government is now looking into this key field of LUH and MUH heli’s. The Russian Kamov Ka 226T is also in competition for the LUH tender.





         Any major decisions in this regard are now pending and a speedy and swift reaction would really be commended by the forces.

The Indian Airforce Cheetah