The Swiss-built aviation clock installed in the cockpit of the Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 utility choppers in service with the Indian Air Force is being replaced with an indigenously developed digital substitute.
The digital aviation clock, at times referred to as chronometer in aviation and military jargon, will be developed in partnership with public or private commercial entities while sticking to military specifications and operational needs, IAF sources said.
The digital aviation clock displays the current time in hours, minutes, and seconds as well as keeps track of flying time that has elapsed. It also has options for providing specific information or a particular type of display.
The aviation clock currently installed in the Mi-17 V5 helicopter is manufactured by Thommen Aircraft Equipment based in Switzerland that manufactures cockpit instruments for the global aviation industry. The IAF has about 150 Mi-17 V5s in service that have replaced the older Mi-8 helicopter and previous versions of Mi-17. It is the cornerstone of the IAF’s utility helicopter fleet. It can be armed with machine guns, rocket pods, or anti-tank missiles.
Indigenisation of aero-spares for all types of aircraft has been a major thrust area for the IAF, for which it has been making in-house efforts as well as tapping the private industry. This includes thousands of types of singular items as well as sub-systems and assemblies, which it is earlier constrained to import.
