A part of tree trunk, this time around 6 inches thick was used to make a stool/ mooda for a sitout. This time wood was used instead of mild steel for legs of the stool. The cover was made up of waste cloth stiched together. A piping was added to bring out contrast and pleats were added to the side cover. later it was stapled over a foam layer and here are the pics
Background - The Indian Combat Helicopter has an air to air mode for its turret gun. Earlier training target was unsuitable due to critical drawbacks and the training suffered. The drawbacks were addressed by a team of two enthusiastic flight test engineers of HAL, Indian Army .. The story till now is here for everyone to click and read..
http://chitale-skills.blogspot.com/2023/07/achuk-aerial-target-1.html
This target was taken to deserts during the training of Indian Combat Helicopter exercise at an undisclosed location. The target was found safe to operate in close vicinity of a manned aircraft with its flight safe features like RTL and geo fencing. Numerous Air to Air mode training sorties were carried out by AIRFORCE by deploying ACHUK MK I and MK II target. ACHUK MK I and MK II also demonstrated and ensured continuous operations by demonstrating quick turnaround with battery change within 5 minutes. There were several hits on the target in the air to air mode. ACHUK was a success with no sortie held up or wasted because of non-availability/ delay in deployment or inflight snag.
AHUCK has the right size of aerial target and speed, which simulates a wide spectrum of unmanned aerial systems that our adversaries may deploy against us in combat or near international borders tackling drug menace from adversaries. Therefore, ACHUK is a right training aid to be deployed during air-to-air mode of gun firing of all attack helicopters in our country.
ACHUK MK I and MK II are highly recommended as training aid for the field units of AIR FORCE and ARMY deploying attach helicopters or for air defence practice by the Corps of AD.
1. Background. The Indian Combat
Helicopter has an air to air mode for its turret gun. An aerial target was
used during training and trials. However during the trials critical drawbacks
were noticed in the currently available aerial target rendering it unsuitable
for being used as an aerial target for the purpose of air to air mode of
firing. There was a longstanding requirement of a suitable aerial target as the
currently available targets fell short of the requirements.
2. ACHUK
Mk 1 Aerial Target. The
aforesaid difficulties were addressed by the team of two enthusiastic flight
test engineers of HAL, Bangalore and ARMY. Another enthusiastic friend joined midway
between the project implementation. This has resulted in development of a
tractor towing the aerial target. The team addressed the critical drawbacks for
developing a suitable tractor which should:-
a) tow a realistic target.
b) have recording facility for debrief.
c) be safe when flying with a manned aircraft.
d) be easily controllable and reprogrammable.
e) be small for ease of transportation (foldable, man portable, light).
f) not require a runway or helipad to take off and land and can be operated from a
field.
g) be low cost and easily maintainable.
3. Execution, Trials and Operation. AHCUK Mk 1 was designed based on the
defined requirements by the three enthusiasts. Prototype was build and trials
were carried out at a field of an acquaintance. The team funded the prototype
and tested it over a period of three months. The target was assessed by HAL
experts on 06 Jul 2023.
5. Conclusion.
Pictures of ACHUK Mk 1 Aerial Tractor (blurred in pic) Target with Combat Helicopter
Jeevarathni Foundation - is a home for destitutes and holds an annual Jevarathni Run for fun and to inculcate camaraderie, habit of physical fitness and mindfullness in the Jeevarathni children. The run is attended by friends of Jeevarathni Foundation. One can read more about it here JEEVARATHNI FOUNDATION
This time the run was covered by a hexadrone which was remotely controlled by pre programme and having a GO PRO camera. Actually the drone was develeoped as a carrier of aerial target but was used here to demonstrate multi use of the drone.
The picture of the drone used is here
|
ACHUK |
OTHER TARGET |
|
Target size bigger (Approx 3 times) |
Target size around 10 ft x 18 inches |
|
Target speed less
- VMAX 100 kmph and VBE 75- 80 kmph |
Target speed aprox 75 - 100 kmph |
|
Less probabilities of multiple reflections due to
bigger target size |
Multiple reflections due to smaller target size |
|
More probability of getting laser returns due to
bigger target |
Less probability of getting laser returns due to
smaller target and difficulty in acquiring |
|
AGL upto 150 m |
AGL upto 150 m |
|
No cost – as this is concept proving exercise |
Associated costs are there |
|
Operation by ground handler – but fully
autonomous tracing predefined GPS path – lat long available in decimal
format. |
Operation by ground handler not capable of
tracing predefined path – lat long not available for debrief. |
|
Endurance
- 15 min |
Endurance – 15 min |
|
Radius of action around 1.5 km |
Radius of action similar |
|
Safety measure – programmed to drop down if
command is lost or battery is low |
Safety measure – no built in safety measures |
|
Time to start the operation - 10 min |
Time to start the operation – one hour |
|
Unit can handle operate and fly |
Special handler is required for flying the PTA |
|
A ground controller tablet as
controller, telemetry and debrief station |
Debrief station not available |
|
The speed of the target available
in the tab logs |
Not available for analysis |
An acrylic on canvas 3 feet by 2 feet depicting the CORAL REEF LIFE under sea -
