MLNNIT to help in development of LCA, choppers

Allahabad, May 5 (UNI) The Moti Lal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MLNNIT), Allahabad, is gearing up to play a significant role in helping the country become self-reliant in producing indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

The Aeronautics Research and Development Board -- an auxiliary organisation of the directorate of aeronautics under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) -- has entrusted the MLNNIT the task of carrying out major analysis of material prepregs characterisation, a polymer used extensively in the manufacturing of aircraft external structure.

The research would be conducted under the supervision of Dr Mukul Shukla of the MLNNIT's Mechanical Engineering Department.

With an aim to minimise the dependability on foreign countries, the DRDO was presently engaged in highly sophisticated research for the development of indigenous LCA and ALH accessories and gadgets, said MLNNIT director Prof Arun Baran Samaddar.

He said, ''The project envisages structural analysis and material characterisation of prepregs. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is involved in the ALH production, will provide samples of prepregs. Similarly, the National Aeronautics Laboratory, Banglore, would provide inputs related to the LCA.

''The major aim of the research is to collect vital data related to material characterisation modules of elasticity, expansion co-efficient, structural composition, stress and density factor associated with prepregs,'' said project investigator Dr Shukla.

Under the project, highly sophisticated equipment like rheometer would be procured at a cost of Rs 13 lakh. Some part of the research would be conducted by the IIT, Kanpur under the leadership of Prof N N Kishore, he informed.

UNI