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BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv–New Generation (NG) completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru on Tuesday, marking a step forward in the company’s effort to reposition the Dhruv platform for the civil and export markets.Designed and manufactured by HAL, the Dhruv NG is a 5.5-tonne, light, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter upgraded to meet the requirements of the global civil aviation sector. The aircraft builds on the existing Dhruv platform, with improvements focused on safety, performance, ride quality and passenger comfort, while retaining high-altitude and hot-and-high operating capability relevant to Indian conditions.”At the heart of the helicopter are twin Shakti 1H1C engines, an indigenous powerplant that offers higher power ratings and the advantage of in-country maintenance and support,” HAL said, adding that the use of the Shakti engines strengthens self-reliance while reducing long-term operating and lifecycle costs for civilian operators.The Dhruv NG features a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements, coupled with a modern avionics and navigation suite aimed at improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. “Safety enhancements include crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks and a proven twin-engine configuration that provides redundancy during critical phases of flight,” HAL said.Ride quality has been a key focus area in the new variant, HAL said, adding that advanced vibration control systems have been incorporated to ensure smoother flight characteristics, particularly for roles such as VIP transport and emergency medical services.With a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, the helicopter has a top speed of about 285 kmph and a range of roughly 630 km with a 20-minute reserve. It offers an endurance of around three hours and 40 minutes and can operate up to a service ceiling of 6,000 metres. The internal payload capacity is about 1,000 kg.The Dhruv NG’s cabin, with a volume of 7.33 cubic metres, is designed to be reconfigured for multiple civilian roles. It can be fitted for VIP or VVIP transport with seating for four to six passengers, configured to carry up to 14 passengers in a commuter layout, or adapted for air ambulance operations with space for four stretchers, a doctor and an attendant. Other intended applications include offshore operations, law enforcement and search-and-rescue missions.HAL has positioned the Dhruv Civil NG as a cost-effective alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters. The company said it would offer a “one-stop solution” covering manufacturing, maintenance and upgrades, supported by integrated logistics models such as Power-By-Hour and performance-based logistics to ensure higher fleet availability.The maiden flight is expected to be followed by a series of certification and performance evaluation sorties as HAL prepares the helicopter for wider civilian induction.
