From correspondents in India, 10:32 PM IST

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) has ordered a second BA609 tilt rotor aircraft from the US-based Bell Helicopter, it was announced on the margins of the Aero India show Friday.

The BA609 Tiltrotor aircraft is a joint company program between Bell Helicopter, which holds the majority stock, and AgustaWestland of Italy. Interestingly, the aircraft can take off and land like a helicopter, then switch to airplane mode during flight.

HCC is the first Indian company to order a BA609 that has the capability to fly at speeds up to two times that of a conventional helicopter.

It has a range of 700 nautical miles and can connect several Indian city centres without the need to land or take off in between, officials said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)