Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) next-generation civil helicopter, the Dhruv-NG, took to the skies for the first time on Tuesday in Bengaluru, marking a key milestone in India’s indigenous civil aviation programme.
The inaugural flight was flagged off by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who also joined the pilot in the cockpit before take-off to observe the helicopter’s systems and performance firsthand.
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As per Times of India report, officials said that Dhruv-NG is a 5.5-tonne light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter developed to meet the varied operating conditions of India while complying with global civil aviation standards. The aircraft is a civil variant of HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform and signals the company’s push into the expanding civilian helicopter market.
HAL described the Dhruv-NG as being engineered for enhanced safety, performance, and passenger comfort, with applications ranging from VIP transport to air ambulance services and disaster response. The helicopter is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, offering higher power ratings and the advantage of domestic maintenance support.
“The helicopter features a world-class, civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements, along with a modern avionics suite that provides superior situational awareness,” HAL officials said, as reported by PTI.
Focus on safety and multi-role capability
Safety features have been central to the Dhruv-NG’s design. These include crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a proven twin-engine configuration that ensures high redundancy. HAL said advanced vibration control systems have been incorporated to provide a smoother ride, making the aircraft suitable for sensitive missions such as medical evacuation and executive transport.
The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, a top speed of around 285 kmph, and a range of approximately 630 km, including a 20-minute reserve. Its endurance is close to three hours and 40 minutes, with a service ceiling of 6,000 metres and an internal payload capacity of about 1,000 kg.
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The Dhruv-NG’s cabin, with a volume of 7.33 cubic metres, is designed to be highly flexible. In VIP or VVIP configuration, it can seat four to six passengers with luxury interiors, while its maximum seating capacity is 14. In its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) role, it can accommodate four stretchers along with a doctor and an attendant.
HAL said the Dhruv Civil NG is also suited for offshore operations, law enforcement, search-and-rescue missions, and disaster relief, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters.
