HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH)

History of HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH)

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing a new medium lift helicopter currently (and quite commonly) known as the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH). To compete in its class, the design is designed to challenge several other global players in the potentially lucrative rotor market. This fact makes the market even more lucrative due to the fact that many of the world's military branches will soon be looking to upgrade to retain their Cold War (1947-1991) origins of rotary-wing platform inventories.

Developed to challenge existing players in the 10-15 ton market, the IMRH will be based on battlefield form and function, such as the US Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and the Russian Mil Mi-17 transport line.

Nearly 300 of its own helicopters have reached their maximum age and operational capability - the Soviet-era Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17 variants - and the Indian military will be looking for such products on its own in the near future. HAL has participated in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Dhruv programmes.

IMRH grew out of an earlier Indian initiative (suspended in 2009) that sought similar air systems and foreign partners. The changing demands of Indian military service eventually led to the program being discontinued.

An all-new design (specs listed, subject to change as the program evolves) will use a pair of turboshaft engines, each rated at approximately 2,415 hp (using FADEC, "Full Authority Digital Engine Control" ), and these are used to drive the main and tail rotor assemblies as standard. Composites play an important role in their lightweight yet strong approach.

Range is estimated to be around 500 miles, with service capped at up to 21,500 feet and a top speed of 170 mph. Quoted at 9,920 lb payload capacity with 2 operators and 24,000 lb MTOW.

During Airshow India 2017, HAL unveiled a full-scale mock-up of the proposed helicopter, which looks very much in line with the modern French mid-lift offering. The engine is located on top of the cabin, and the five-blade main rotor is located near the engine case. Due to the extensive use of windshields, pilots have excellent visibility outside the cockpit. Windows dot the sides of the cabin and doors for easy entry and exit.

The tail rotor is offset to the right and has four blades. The landing gear is on wheels, possibly retractable.

In addition to the assumed military value, IMRH will undoubtedly be pushed towards the civilian and industrial sectors for maximum returns. The first flight is tentatively slated for sometime in 2019, but the Indian aviation industry is notorious for taking long planes to develop, so these could change.

Service entry won't happen until sometime in the 2020s.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes