Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
COMPETITION TO power the Indian-built military utility Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is intensifying between Turbomeca and LHTEC, the light helicopter turbine engine company, jointly owned by AlliedSignal and Rolls Royce's, Allison Engine division
The companies are negotiating with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to supply engines for the first production versions of the ALH. LHTEC is offering the CTS800 turbo-shaft against Turbomeca's TM 333-2B, which powered the first three prototypes.
The CTS800 is a 900kW (1,200shp) version of the T800 installed in the prototype Boeing/ Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche. It powered the ALH for the first time on 26 December 1995. The first public acknowledgment of the event came on 21 January, when the CTS800-powered helicopter, the fourth prototype and first naval version of the ALH, was demonstrated at Bangalore.
LHTEC vice-president Don Christiansen says that the re-engined helicopter is performing well. He adds that: "The pilots have commented that they feel a lot more response with the more powerful engines."
The naval version, equipped with retractable gear, flotation gear and dipping sonar, is around 500kg heavier empty than the civil and air force variants. The French-made TM 333-2B, which has powered the ALH since its first flight in 1992, is rated at 765kW.
LHTEC and HAL plan to amass around 50h of proving flights with the CTS800. Almost 20% of the flight-test time has been achieved so far, with the demonstration programme "...extending through May", says Christiansen.
The negotiations on the production batch are expected to end soon, with HAL predicting the signing of contracts as early as the end of February.
Turbomeca was originally sole- source engine supplier for the ALH but, following pressure from the Indian military, the helicopter programme was opened to competition with LHTEC.
An agreement to supply the CTS800 was finalised in January 1995 by AlliedSignal Aerospace president Daniel Burnham during a presidential trade mission with US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown.
"This engine will give operators full mission capability, including a significant enhancement in payload and range. The Indian navy likes it because the performance of the helicopter over the deck has got to be to specification," says Christiansen.
The negotiations, are thought to have been complicated, by HAL's desire to use both engines, with Turbomeca providing engines for the civil ALHs and LHTEC supplying power plants for military versions. LHTEC is believed to be negotiating for a combined version purchase. Production deliveries will begin in 1998.
Source: Flight International
