3 days ago
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Three Army officers including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Division (also known arsenic Trishul Division) had a miraculous flight erstwhile the Cheetah chopper they were flying successful crashed adjacent Tangtse, southbound eastbound of Leh.
The single‑engine chopper, piloted by a lieutenant colonel and a major, went down connected Wednesday but was reported connected Saturday. All 3 occupants escaped with insignificant injuries. A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to find the origin of the crash, an service serviceman stated.The mishap underscores the risks faced by India’s ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which the Army plans to statesman phasing retired soon.
Over the adjacent decade, these helicopters are planned to beryllium replaced by the modern Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) arsenic portion of the Army Aviation Corps’ modernisation drive.The Cheetah, inducted successful 1971 aft mounting high‑altitude records, has agelong been the backbone of operations successful the Himalayas. It has served arsenic a flying jeep, postal van, artillery spotter, reconnaissance level and astir critically arsenic an aerial ambulance, particularly successful the precocious Himalayas.
Operating astatine heights supra 18,000 feet, specified arsenic posts connected the Siachen Glacier, pushes the Cheetah beyond its plan limits. Thin aerial reduces rotor assistance and motor power, forcing aggregate sorties for tasks achievable successful 1 formation astatine little altitudes. Yet these helicopters stay the lifeline for distant outposts similar Bana Top, Ashok, and Sonam, perched betwixt 19,600 and 21,000 feet.HAL’s LUH program, cleared successful 2009, is designed specifically for these super‑rarified conditions. Powered by the Shakti‑1U turboshaft engine, the LUH tin scope 21,300 feet, onshore astatine the world’s highest helipad connected the Saltoro Ridge, and alert astatine speeds up to 235 km/h. The 3‑ton people chopper carries six soldiers with a unit of two, features a integer solid cockpit compatible with night‑vision devices, and supports roles from aesculapian evacuation and unit transport to reconnaissance and VIP missions.
