Bengaluru, Dec 30: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday flagged off the inaugural flight of the next-generation civil helicopter Dhruv NG, designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous rotary-wing capabilities.
Before take-off from HAL facilities here, the minister joined the pilot in the cockpit to get a firsthand experience of the helicopter’s advanced systems and features. Officials said the Dhruv NG has been developed to cater to the evolving needs of the domestic and global civil aviation markets.
According to HAL, the Dhruv NG is a 5.5-tonne light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter engineered to operate across diverse and demanding Indian terrains. It has been upgraded to meet stringent international civil aviation standards, with a focus on enhanced safety, performance and passenger comfort.
The helicopter is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, offering higher power ratings and the advantage of in-country maintenance. It features a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements and a modern avionics suite to improve situational awareness.
For safety and reliability, Dhruv NG incorporates crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks and a proven twin-engine configuration, ensuring high redundancy. Advanced vibration control systems provide a smoother ride, making it suitable for VIP travel and medical evacuation missions.
Officials said the helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, a top speed of around 285 kmph, a range of about 630 km with a 20-minute reserve, and an endurance of nearly three hours and 40 minutes. It can operate at a service ceiling of around 6,000 metres and carry an internal payload of approximately 1,000 kg.
The Dhruv NG features a highly configurable cabin of 7.33 cubic metres, adaptable for multiple civilian roles. For VIP and VVIP transport, it can accommodate four to six passengers with luxury interiors, while its maximum seating capacity is 14 passengers. In its air ambulance configuration, it can carry four stretchers along with a doctor and attendant.
Its specialised roles include offshore operations, law enforcement duties and search-and-rescue missions. HAL said the Dhruv Civil NG is positioned as a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters. (Agencies)
