Indian Helicopter HAL Rudra

 The HAL Rudra, also known as ALH-WSI, is an armed version of HAL Dhruv. Rudra is equipped with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Thermal Imaging Sights Interface, a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles and air-to-air missiles.

While flight testing the Light Combat Helicopter, a modified version of HAL Dhruv, the Indian Army came to the conclusion that without making any major modifications to the Dhruv air-frame, an armed variant can also be developed and delivered to the army quickly. This variant was named Rudra. The Rudra underwent integration trial for armament and electro-optical systems and a final round of weapon firing trials in September 2011, which included testing of the 20-mm turret gun. The 70 mm rockets and MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles were tested in November 2011.The helicopter exceeded the payload and performance requirements at the height of 6 km. It has integrated sensors, weapons and electronic warfare suite, and uses an upgraded version of the glass cockpit used in the HAL Dhruv Mk-III. The sensors include stabilised day and night cameras, infrared imaging as well as laser ranging and designation. It has an Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) from SAAB, with electronic warfare self-protection which is fully integrated into the glass cockpit.R udra, or ALH-WSI (Weapon Systems Integrated) has two main versions.

Types

1. Mark III: This version has Electronic Warfare, countermeasures, sensors and targeting systems installed, but does not feature weapons.
2. Mark IV: This version is to have a French Nexter 20 mm turret gun, Belgian 70 mm rockets, and MBDA air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, such as the anti-tank Helina missile. All these  systems have been tested individually.

Operator

Indian Air Force (16 on order)

Indian Army (60 on order)

Specifications (Dhruv)

1. Crew: Two pilots
2. Capacity: 12 passengers 
3. Length: 15.87 m 
4. Width: 3.15 m 
5. Height: 4.98 m 
6. Gross weight: 4,445 kg 
7. Max takeoff weight: 5,800 kg for Mk IV
8. Fuel capacity: 1,055 kg 
9. Powerplant: 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft, 1,068 kW (1,432 shp) each
10. Main rotor diameter: 13.2 m 
11. Main rotor area: 136.85 m2 

Performance

1. Never exceed speed: 245 km/h (152 mph; 132 kn) for Mk IV
2. Range: 590 km (367 mi; 319 nmi) for Mk IV
3. Endurance: 3.8 hours
4. Service ceiling: 6,100 m
5. Rate of climb: 10.33 m/s 
6. Disk loading: 40.19 kg/m2 

Armament

• 1 × 20mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 chin-mounted gun turret
• 1 × 7.62 mm cabin-mounted machine gun (coast guard version)
• 4 × MBDA Mistral-1 short-range air-to-air missiles
• 4 × 70 mm FZ or Thales 12-round rocket pods
• 8 × Helina anti-tank guided missiles (planned)
• 2 torpedoes or depth charges or 4 anti-ship missiles (planned for navy version)

Avionics

Elbit CoMPASS optoelectronic suite for reconnaissance and target acquisition

RWS-300 radar warning system or LWS-310 laser warning system

MAW-300 missile approach warning system

SAAB IDAS-3 self-protection suite

BOP-L ECM dispenser