The multi-mission capability of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) means it can be used for a wide variety of roles including troop transport, search and rescue, military operations, disaster relief, and medical evacuation. These demanding operations can mean anxious and dangerous minutes spent hovering close to the sea or ground while the engine air intakes are battered by sand, dust, and debris. These missions can also involve frequent landings on unprepared surfaces away from their main base.
As a result, ALHs routinely contend with dust, sand and debris that attack turbine engines and impact engine reliability hampering efficient engine operation. Engine Air Intake Particle Separators (AIPS) are way to protect engines from foreign object damage (FOD) ranging from lost efficiency to catastrophic failure while adding significant advantages like:
Reduced engine maintenance cost
Ensuring efficiency and safety in flight operations
Protects engine by removing harmful particle contamination
Reduced unscheduled engine removals
Increased aircraft availability
To allow for safer operation by protecting against sand, dust, FOD, etc., EAIPS are integrated on the ALH. SIKA is the OEM authorised repair station for particle separators installed on the Mk-3 and Mk-4 variants of the ALH:
MRO for all the particle separators will be done in-country by Sika
Sika has worked with the OEM to establish the documentation, process and training for the MRO facility
This facility has been successfully audited and made operational in 2017
SIKA’s local presence, infrastructure and trained engineers ensure that Indian customers receive the best possible service and support with respect to the EAIPS