Saturday, September 3 2005 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) re-engined and upgraded Chetak helicopter 'Chetan' created history when it successfully completed hot and high altitude tests in the Siachin Glacier.

"With this performance, Chetan has proved that it can conquer the Himalayan heights up to its service ceiling of 21,300 feet. Till now, the operations of the Chetak were restricted to 10,000 feet, due to a number of limitations," Bangalore-headquartered HAL said in a statement.

Piloted by Wg Cdr P S Rao and Wg Cdr S Jain, the Chetan underwent a series of trials from August 16 to 23 in the Siachen Glacier under hostile conditions.

"We have gone for a trial validation and Chetan had never operated there before. The tests were conducted well within the existing envelope of the original helicopter (Chetak)," the pilots, who are just back in Bangalore, said.

Though, the armed forces are operating the Cheetah for high altitude operations, the Chetan provides 'certain significant benefits' over the Cheetah, due to its larger cabin volume, according to HAL.

The recent tests by HAL have proven that the Chetan can comfortably carry a play load of up to 100 kg at an altitude of 21,000 feet and at temperatures up to international standard atmosphere ISA plus 15 deg C, it was stated.