<p>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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />DRDO launched the project on suggestions of Defence Minister A K Antony to find an alternative of heavy oxygen cylinders that hamper weight carrying capacity of the choppers.<br /><br />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.</p>
<p>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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />DRDO launched the project on suggestions of Defence Minister A K Antony to find an alternative of heavy oxygen cylinders that hamper weight carrying capacity of the choppers.<br /><br />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.</p>