India’s Light Combat Helicopter to fly in December

[Screaming Skull]

Countdown To First Flight Of India's Light Combat Helicopter

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

The stage is set for the first prototype (LCH TD-1) flight of the Indian Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), scheduled to take place next month. The TD-1 will be an unweaponised platform, and the test-flight schedule for this prototype will only be towards validating principle airframe, aerodynamics, maneoverability and airworthiness parameters. Weapons integration tests will only take place with the second prototype, TD-2, that is scheduled for a first flight sometime later in 2010. Updates on the LCH follow.

Courtesy: LiveFist

 

[An Infidel]

SS,
Has HAL sorted out the weight issues plaguing LCH??

 

[Screaming Skull]

SS,
Has HAL sorted out the weight issues plaguing LCH??

The weight problem was never too serious to start with. As per the IAF’s initial specification, the LCH was supposed to weigh about 5500 kg but the first prototype turned out to be 6200 kg. Later, IAF agreed to grant some concession and fixed the upper limit at 5800 kg. This differential of 400-500 kg imo is manageable. However, I believe it will be done progressively with the two prototypes TD-1 & TD-2. I am guessing that HAL has managed to trim down TD-1 to some extent. By how much exactly? I have no idea! Hopefully, we will get some official info on it soon.

 

[ebungo]

good news ahead ....

 

[zagahaga]

niceeeeeee good for india ... but i hope you guys will make a heavy attack heli like mi 28 ...beast

 

[beckham]

Wow...Great news !!





Any pic's of prototype ??

 

[beckham]

LCH mock-up

 

[Screaming Skull]

Looks like the weight problem has been resolved.......

HAL to fly light combat chopper soon​

November 21st, 2009

Bangalore, Nov 20 (IANS) A prototype of the light combat helicopter (LCH), designed and developed by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is set for its maiden flight soon, a top company official said Friday.
“The prototype LCH is getting ready for a maiden test flight in the coming weeks. We are waiting for the final checks to be completed to commence flight trials,” HAL chairman and managing director Ashok Nayak told reporters here.

The 5.5-tonne LCH, a derivative of HAL’s advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, will be rolled out for anti-armour and anti-infantry roles by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army respectively.

Though the LCH was to take-off by August, HAL announced in September that the first flight would take place by this year-end or early January, as its overall weight had to be reduced by about 20 percent (580) kg.

“We have overcome the weight problem. The target weight will be achieved for a successful test flight,” a HAL copter division official told IANS later.

HAL launched the LCH project in 2006 and developed the prototype at a cost of Rs.3.8 billion (Rs.380 crore).

LCH is expected to get the initial operational clearance (IOC) by December 2010 and the final operational clearance (FOC) in 2011 for induction into the IAF by 2012-2013.

On the joint venture with Russian aerospace major (Irkut Corporation) for the multi-role transport aircraft (MRTA), Nayak hoped an agreement to that effect would be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Moscow in early December.

“We hope the deal will take place this time so that we can jointly take up design and development of the MRTA for military and civilian use,” Nayak said at a function to mark 25 years of collaboration with the US-based technology major Honeywell International in manufacturing turboprop engine (TPE-331-5).

HAL plans to manufacture the 14-seater Saras aircraft, designed and developed by the state-run National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) here.

“We plan to make 30-35 multi-role light transport aircraft primarily for the civilian market,” Nayak added.

In view of the huge order book valued at Rs.60,000 crore (Rs.600 billion) and some big-ticket projects in offing, HAL plans to invest Rs.25,000 crore over the next 10 years for expanding its infrastructure and other facilities across the country.

Hindustan Aeronautics to fly light combat chopper soon

 

[DaRk WaVe]

 

[GLOBAL HAWK]

That looks sleak!! Great achievement .

 

[arihant]

looks too small height.

 

[hindesi]

looks a lot like Apache ainit?

 

[arsenal_gooner]

It a good achievment for a first time and light chopper but if india realy wants to show whats its got then it needs something like this

compare this T129 to the indian helicopter and you can see the obviouse diffrence

 

[sancho]

It a good achievment for a first time and light chopper but if india realy wants to show whats its got then it needs something like this

compare this T129 to the indian helicopter and you can see the obviouse diffrence


jOvfMGWXIQw[/media] - ATAK T-129 P1 - First Flight - Uncut Video 10mins

That's why IAF will buy 22 new heavy attack helicopters, besides the light LCH.

 

[Screaming Skull]

Imo it won’t be prudent to compare the LCH to other attack choppers of its class simply because the LCH is tailor made for the requirements of the Indian armed forces.
As per Ajai Shukla- “The LCH has been designed specifically for India’s high altitude conditions. It takes off from altitudes of 3 kilometers (9800 feet), loiters and operates at altitudes of up to 5 kilometers (16,400 feet), and engages targets like UAVs that are flying at altitudes of up to 6.5 kilometers (21,300 feet).”
Now, I don’t think the Apache Longbow, Tiger, Cobra, T-129 or even the Russian choppers have been designed ‘specifically’ to operate at such high altitudes and such low temperatures.
Furthermore, the unit cost of the LCH is expected to be far lower than that of its foreign peers. With an estimated initial requirement of close to 180 units, it makes a lot of economic sense to go for a cheaper yet potent system specifically made to fit the requirements of the Indian armed forces.