Lt Gen. B.S. Pawar (retd)

Military helicopters today are an integral part of land, sea and air operations of modern armies and are being increasingly employed in sub conventional operations (counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations) across the world. This trend is likely to continue in the future, with helicopters acquiring special features as was the case of Black Hawks used in ‘Operation Neptune Spear’ by the US special-forces in Pakistan.

The market for military helicopters is on the verge of a technological generational leap with next generation compound helicopters and tilt-rotor crafts heralding the advent of a new era that is likely to witness a significant expansion of the operational spectrum, capabilities and performance threshold of these machines. This is likely to eventually redefine their role besides enhancing overall effectiveness in conducting a wide range of military missions and operations.

Future Development & Capabilities

Military aviation today is looking at the next generation of military helicopters and the strategy to modernise vertical lift capability long term, with improved avionics, electronics, range, speed, propulsion, survivability and high-altitude performance. The philosophy is to improve on the present limitations by examining emerging technologies within the realm of the possible, with speeds in excess of 170 knots, combat range 0f 800 km, hover with full combat load under high/hot conditions and with a degree of autonomous flight capability.

There is a need to harness technological innovation by looking beyond current force technology and identifying possible next generation solutions in areas such as propulsion, airframe materials, rotor systems, engine technology, survivability equipment, mission systems and next generation maintenance techniques among others.

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The advances in helicopter designs have not been as impressive as for the fixed wing especially fighter aircraft. While jet fighters are in their fifth generation, the helicopters are still strutting around with the same old designs and airframes, with mostly upgrades to its credit – it has been without a new helicopter design since the induction in the Eighties of the Apache attack helicopter built by Boeing. The Apache AH-64E (Block-III), the latest version also called ‘The Guardian’ is a vivid example, where even though 26 new technologies have been incorporated, relating mainly to more powerful engines, composite rotor blades, upgraded transmission system and capability to control UAVs, the main design and configuration remains the same.

However, today the global helicopter industry is undergoing a significant transformation as are customer demands and the capabilities offered by cutting edge technologies. Significant advances in technology such as computation structural dynamics modelling, expanded use of additive manufacturing, fly by wire controls, advanced condition-based maintenance (CBM), health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) and advanced turbine engine programmes, promise a big leap in rotorcraft capabilities.

Governments worldwide are initiating new defence procurements, whi