Now, IAF and and the Indian Army pilots will be able to stay airborne for longer periods.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation has come up with composite oxygen cylinders that will lighten the burden of military helicopters in high-altitude areas.
"The oxygen cylinders used in Chetak and Cheetah helicopters last for 20-25 minutes only. We have developed a composite oxygen cylinder which would weigh one-fifth of normal cylinders but can provide oxygen supply for minimum two hours," W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller of DRDO told PTI.
Developed by Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), the cylinders take away a significant amount of weight from the choppers, increasing its weight carrying capacity for longer durations.
"IAF has already accepted the technology and is considering placement of orders. Only a very few air-forces in the world have this technology and we managed to develop it in a record period of six months only," he said.
DRDO launched the project on suggestions of the Indian Defence Minister A K Antony to find an alternative of heavy oxygen cylinders that hamper weight carrying capacity of the choppers.
Completed at a cost of Rs six crore, DRDO recently completed the industrial checks of the technology and is now looking froward to initiate the tendering process for appointing an industrial partner.