BEL to Manufacture CoMPASS for Rudra ALH WSI Helicopters

Rudra ALH WSI at Aero India 2013

Israel's Elbit Systems Intelligence and Electro-Optics - ELOP Ltd (ELOP), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Limited, has placed an order on BEL for CoMPASS systems for HAL's Rudra, or ALH WSI helicopter.

BEL had earlier signed a Technical Collaboration Agreement with ELOP joint  manufacturing and D-Level Maintenance of CoMPASS in India and established facilities for the same.

The contract was signed on February 7, 2014 during DefExpo 2014.

The Rudra is equipped with the CoMPASS, a day-and-night surveillance system that includes color TV daylight camera, 3rd Generation 3-5 µm Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor, Laser Target Designator and Range Finder (LTDRF) and automatic tracking capabilities, as well as command and control capabilities. CoMPASS features a wide variety of interfaces, enabling integration with various aircraft / helicopter systems, such as Mission Computer, fire control, radar, GPS, data downlink and helmet-mounted tracking systems. Its small dimensions, low weight, high level of stabilization and coverage angles make it an optimal choice for long-range, day-and-night surveillance, target tracking, fire control applications and search and rescue.

Rudra's armament includes a 20 mm French Nexter gun turret gun cued by the pilots helmet mounted sight, MBDA's Mistral air-to-air and air-to-ground short range missiles, and a Belgian 70mm rocket system. The gun can swing up, down and around.

Those with access to IDP Sentinel can find more details on the Rudra ALH variant at the link below.

Rudra - Armed Helicopter (IDP Sentinel)