Helina Ready For Full-Range Ground-Based Trials In Pokhran

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[font=Verdana, sans-serif][color=#20124D][b]By Anantha Krishnan M[/b][/color][/font][/color]
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[color=#20124D][font=Verdana, sans-serif][b]Express News Service[/b][/font][/color][/color]
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[font=Verdana, sans-serif][b]Bangalore/Hyderabad: [/b]Helina, the helicopter version of anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) Nag, being developed [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]indigenously for Rudra – the Advanced Light Helicopter's Weapon System Integration version (ALH-WSI) -- will undergo [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]full range trials next month. During this lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) mode trials, to be conducted from a ground-based [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]launcher, Helina's capability to establish full range in excess of 7 km will be tested. (In the LOAL mode, the gunner [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]can correct the course of the missile mid-way after it is fired, update the target position and lock on to it through [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]a two-way RF data link.)[/font][/color]
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[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Around 60 scientists, including 12 directly associated with the project, are gearing up at various critical labs of [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]the Missile Complex in Hyderabad for this crucial ground trials, to to be held at the Chandan firing ranges in [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Pokhran. Sources claim that this could be the last trials for the air-to-ground missile Helina from a ground launcher. [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]"We will have guided flight tests from Rudra against a tank-size later. Integration of the Helina's Fire Control [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]System (FCS) on Rudra is planned during the second half of 2012," sources said.[/font][/color]
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[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Helina has been taken up as a fast-track mission mode project by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]to extend the range of Nag from 4 km to in excess of 7 km. The Rs 55-crore project started in 2008 April, will [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]initially help Army Aviation form one Squadron of Rudra choppers with Helinas in LOAL configuration. So far two [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]missiles have been fired from ground launchers over a range of 4.2 km (K K Ranges in Ahmednagar, near Pune). At [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Pokhran, one Helina was fired from the out-board weapon station location on Rudra for the first time. The chopper was [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]hovering at an altitude of approximately 25-meter above ground.[/font][/color]
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[font=Verdana, sans-serif]A stand-alone FC for Helina has been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad and proven during the ground [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]firing. The two-way data link has also been developed for the first time by RCI in association with Astra Microwave, [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Hyderabad.[/font][/color]
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[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) sources told Express that, they as the system and other [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]armaments [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]integrators[/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif] [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]for Rudra[/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif], are part of a Ministry of Defence-appointed team, which is currently evaluating MBDA's PARS 3 missile and [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Rafael's Spike. "The team has visited the Rafael facility and witnessed the trials. They will now head for MBDA [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]installation. The final call will be taken by the Defence Procurement Board, based on [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]the team's recommendations," sources said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]HAL says that the pilots' report of Helina's Rudra trials have been sent to DRDL. "These are crucial inputs that will help the DRDL to fine-tune the missile. Services want proven platforms first and hence PARS 3 and Spike were short-listed. Helina will continue as an alternate and parallel ATGM programme as we are very keen to have an indigenous missile onboard," HAL sources said.[/font][/color]

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