India to carry out test flight of LCH soon

[Flintlock]

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon
31 Aug, 2008, 0954 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: India's first indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter will be test flown later this year, in a major step aimed at giving a boost to the country's fighting capabilities in the Himalayas. State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed development of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and it will test fly the chopper by the year-end.

If the test flight goes smoothly, the LCH, built on the platform of a Cheetah body would be the second big feather in HAL's cap after the Advanced Light Helicopter. The LCH is expected to fill vital gaps in India's security as the armed forces lack a helicopter gunship which can operate in extreme high altitude above 9,000 feet.

The indigenous development of such a helicopter comes as IAF has recently floated international tenders for the purchase of 22 advanced helicopter gunships. Besides Eurocopter which is part of the defence and aviation consortium EADS, the other major contenders for this competition are Boeing's AH-54D, Augusta Westland's AW-129 Mangustu and Russia's MI-28N NightHunters.

Top HAL officials said work on the project was going on as per schedule. The aerospace major had taken five years to design the Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' but it completed the design of the LCH within 16-17 months. The helicopter will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

[Keysersoze]

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon

Top HAL officials said work on the project was going on as per schedule. The aerospace major had taken five years to design the Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' but it completed the design of the LCH within 16-17 months. The helicopter will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

It took them 5 years to alter the BK-117 design?

SPot the Dhruv!

 

[ssheppard]

India to test fly light combat helicopters shortly


Bangalore, Dec 14 (PTI) India will shortly test fly the indigenously designed and built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which will augment the IAF's fleet of small and highly manoeuvrable rotary flying machines.

A 'baby' of the Bangalore-headquartered defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the first prototype of LCH is expected to take to the skies between December 26 and December 29, a senior HAL official told PTI here today.

HAL has already bagged a firm order to deliver 65 LCH to the IAF and 114 to the Army, company sources said.

Unlike HAL?s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) "Dhruv" which has been described as broad and bloated, the LCH is very, very sleek. The new light chopper is currently undergoing functional tests, and is expected to be ready for ground run by December 24.

fullstory

 

[GLOBAL HAWK]

It took them 5 years to alter the BK-117 design?

SPot the Dhruv!

U r a genius!!

 

[idune]

Made-in-India chopper crashes at Ecuador military parade
October 28, 2009 21:23 IST

In a major setback to India's efforts to market its indigenous helicopters in the overseas market, a Dhruv helicopter sold to the Ecuadorian Air Force on Wednesday crashed in Quito during a military parade, leaving two of the pilots injured.
The air mishap also forced the Ecuadorian Air Force to ground the six other Dhruv advanced light helicopters in its fleet till the probe it ordered into the mishap was completed.

The helicopter had hit the ground after veering off course while flying in formation with two other helicopters over an air force base near Quito. The Ecuador Dhruv fleet also includes one ALH used by President Rafael Correa.

The helicopter, from among the fleet of seven Dhruvs that India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited sold to Ecuador last year in a USD 50 million (about Rs 2,360 million) deal, was destroyed in the crash. Following the mishap, HAL has rushed its team, which is already based in Ecuador since last year, to probe the reasons for the crash, HAL spokesperson Ananth Krishnan said over phone from Bangalore.

"Our team is stationed in Ecuador to support their Advanced Light Helicopter fleet and it is looking into the reasons behind the crash," Krishnan said.

India had delivered these seven Dhruvs in February at the Bengaluru [ Images ] AeroIndia show. The HAL had also trained the Ecuadorean Air Force crewmembers in flying the helicopters at its facility in India before the delivery.

The Ecuador deal was the first ever breakthrough HAL had in its efforts to make an export sale of the Dhruv. Since then, HAL has exported three more of its Dhruvs to Turkey.

It had also leased out one of the ALHs to Israel, but the aircraft was returned after the lease period last year.

After the Ecuador sale, several South American countries, including Bolivia, evinced interest in the Dhruv, which prompted HAL to send a team of its officials to Ecuador and also open a back office in the country.

HAL's ALH programme had faced troubles with the Indian armed forces and the fleet was grounded after one helicopter made forced landing due to problems in its tail motor. The navy, which was also planning to purchase the helicopter, found that it could not be landed on a ship and lost interest in the programme.

An ALH crashed before the start of the AeroIndia exhibition in 2007 killing the pilot, when the flying display team Sarang was practicing for the air show.

Dhruv is a five-tonne helicopter that is available in transport, medical evacuation and armed versions.

HAL is still working on the armed version, which is likely to be inducted into the Indian armed forces in about five years.

The transport version is already in service with the Indian Army [ Images ] and the IAF and was recently cleared for flying in high altitude areas such as Leh. The Indian armed forces have also flown the Dhruv in Siachen.

Made-in-India chopper crashes at Ecuador parade: Rediff.com India News

 

[sudhir007]

Made-in-India chopper crashes at Ecuador military parade
October 28, 2009 21:23 IST

In a major setback to India's efforts to market its indigenous helicopters in the overseas market, a Dhruv helicopter sold to the Ecuadorian Air Force on Wednesday crashed in Quito during a military parade, leaving two of the pilots injured.
The air mishap also forced the Ecuadorian Air Force to ground the six other Dhruv advanced light helicopters in its fleet till the probe it ordered into the mishap was completed.

The helicopter had hit the ground after veering off course while flying in formation with two other helicopters over an air force base near Quito. The Ecuador Dhruv fleet also includes one ALH used by President Rafael Correa.

The helicopter, from among the fleet of seven Dhruvs that India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited sold to Ecuador last year in a USD 50 million (about Rs 2,360 million) deal, was destroyed in the crash. Following the mishap, HAL has rushed its team, which is already based in Ecuador since last year, to probe the reasons for the crash, HAL spokesperson Ananth Krishnan said over phone from Bangalore.

"Our team is stationed in Ecuador to support their Advanced Light Helicopter fleet and it is looking into the reasons behind the crash," Krishnan said.

India had delivered these seven Dhruvs in February at the Bengaluru [ Images ] AeroIndia show. The HAL had also trained the Ecuadorean Air Force crewmembers in flying the helicopters at its facility in India before the delivery.

The Ecuador deal was the first ever breakthrough HAL had in its efforts to make an export sale of the Dhruv. Since then, HAL has exported three more of its Dhruvs to Turkey.

It had also leased out one of the ALHs to Israel, but the aircraft was returned after the lease period last year.

After the Ecuador sale, several South American countries, including Bolivia, evinced interest in the Dhruv, which prompted HAL to send a team of its officials to Ecuador and also open a back office in the country.

HAL's ALH programme had faced troubles with the Indian armed forces and the fleet was grounded after one helicopter made forced landing due to problems in its tail motor. The navy, which was also planning to purchase the helicopter, found that it could not be landed on a ship and lost interest in the programme.

An ALH crashed before the start of the AeroIndia exhibition in 2007 killing the pilot, when the flying display team Sarang was practicing for the air show.

Dhruv is a five-tonne helicopter that is available in transport, medical evacuation and armed versions.

HAL is still working on the armed version, which is likely to be inducted into the Indian armed forces in about five years.

The transport version is already in service with the Indian Army [ Images ] and the IAF and was recently cleared for flying in high altitude areas such as Leh. The Indian armed forces have also flown the Dhruv in Siachen.

Made-in-India chopper crashes at Ecuador parade: Rediff.com India News

This news is already posted and debate on the forum. this news is about ALH (DHRUV) not LCH (light combat helicopter)

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defence/37582-alh-dhruv-crashes-ecuador-military-parade.html

 

[hindesi]

holycow here goes the maniac on the rampage again.. yo idune what did the doctor say after CAT scan??? did they location anything worthwhile up there?

 

[shchinese]

I am not an expert on LCH and I will never pretend to be one, so can I just ask how many years tests can make LCH also the world's most tested chopper? just like its mates LCA and Arjun.

 

[Chanakyaa]

I am not an expert on LCH and I will never pretend to be one, so can I just ask how many years tests can make LCH also the world's most tested chopper? just like its mates LCA and Arjun.

No one in the forum can answer it one can only speculate.
BTW, Its closest mate is NOT LCA , its Dhruv if u refer it as HAL product.

Width the Technological success of Dhruv, LCH is bound to succeed.

It took them 5 years to alter the BK-117 design?

SPot the Dhruv!

If it was so easy to do so, if reverse engineering is a childs play, why not Each country had its own Copter Based on a copy it purchased - made on its own ?

 

[Iggy]

I am not an expert on LCH and I will never pretend to be one, so can I just ask how many years tests can make LCH also the world's most tested chopper? just like its mates LCA and Arjun.

Come on man ..are you sure??you are the expert of Indian related matter around here??what happened?? are you loosing your touch??

 

[oceanx]

I am not an expert on LCH and I will never pretend to be one, so can I just ask how many years tests can make LCH also the world's most tested chopper? just like its mates LCA and Arjun.

Hey hey. I am only here sporadically these days. But look who is back! The mods must really have a soft spot for you. Anyhow, I also saw that you earned yourself a troll "fatwa"! I was hoping for one meself to enhance my cred and style ... darn it, you little sh!t got it in less than a day or two ...

The powers-that-be around here may yet hand you the "Gollum" award: pesky, but serving a "purpose".

The question is for how long ...

 

[StingRoy]

Does anyone have a picture of the actual LCH. I saw some models on the web, but none were ready-to-fly models.. all concept.

 

[RPK]

 

[idune]

HAL's Light Combat Helicopter overweight

Ajai Shukla

The HAL-manufactured aircraft is around 580 kg overweight.A jinx seems to hover above the armed forces’ urgent need for modern attack helicopters to replace the obsolescent Russian Mi-35s, which have been around for three decades. In March, the defence ministry had to cancel a global tender for 22 attack helicopters after international vendors signalled little interest. Meanwhile, the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), has run into a serious weight problem.

Business Standard discovered, during a visit to Bangalore, that the LCH — which should weight about 2.5 tonnes — is overweight by some 580 kilograms. For operations in the plains, or in the foothills, this would not be a disaster. But at Himalayan altitudes, near the LCH’s ceiling of 6,000 metres (19,685 feet), this would dramatically reduce the helicopter’s payload of rockets and missiles.

This weight problem means the LCH’s first flight will only take place at the end of this year. Despite the delay, that first Technology Demonstrator, named TD-1, will still be 400 kg heavier than planned.

The Managing Director of HAL’s brand new Helicopter Complex, R Srinivasan, told Business Standard that the LCH’s weight would be progressively reduced over the first three prototypes. “We will find ways of cutting down TD-1 by 180-200 kg; TD-2, which will fly in mid-2010, will be another 100 kg lighter; and TD-3, which will be ready by end-2010, will shave off another 65-75 kg.”

That still adds up to only 375 kg, which means that the LCH could enter production 200 kg heavier than planned. HAL bosses say the IAF has accepted the extra weight.

Attack helicopters are amongst the most difficult combat platforms to successfully engineer. Even a helicopter maker like Sikorsky, which can boast of having designed the legendary Black Hawk helicopter, lost prestige and over $6.9 billion in a failed attempt to develop the Comanche attack helicopter.


But HAL remains confident it can navigate these treacherous waters. Many of the key technologies — e.g. the Shakti engine, the rotors and the main gearbox — that will go into the LCH are being concurrently proven in the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), 159 of which are being built for the army and the air force.


Meanwhile, the weapons and sensor packages that give the LCH its fighting edge are being tested on a weaponised version of the Dhruv. HAL and the IAF have zeroed in on a Nexter 20 mm turret mounted cannon, an MBDA air-to-air missile, and an EW suite from SAAB, South Africa. India’s Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) has begun work on a HELINA missile, which is the successful Nag missile with an extended range of 7 kilometres.


HAL’s focus on the LCH is evident. The newly created Helicopter Complex has set up a Mission and Combat Systems R&D Centre, or MCSRDC, which is focusing on developing indigenous glass cockpits for the range of helicopters that HAL intends to churn out, starting with the LCH.

A glass cockpit refers to the tidy digital multi-function display that replaces the earlier clutter of dials and instruments that made flying so difficult.

So far, HAL has imported the glass cockpit displays from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Sagem, of France. But with a range of helicopters in the making — including 179 LCHs; 187 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH); and 400 or so Medium Lift Helicopters (MLH) — there is a need, HAL believes, to develop its own glass cockpits.

 

[beckham]

Hindustan Aeronautics to fly light combat chopper soon


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.


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