HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[MKM]

What about C130 & especially C295 based gunships, can these do job?
As TASL is going for MII of C295.
Shouldn't there a sticky thread for upcoming mountain strike corps of Army in army section.

 

[Chinmoy]

Too much wrong data. Just look at weight & service celling.

I agree and do have my own doubt in some of these. But unless and untill you have some official data regarding LCH like Tejas, you would have to take these into consideration.

 

[MKM]

I agree and do have my own doubt in some of these. But unless and untill you have some official data regarding LCH like Tejas, you would have to take these into consideration.

Sir, but that is not believable, we know basic capacity of LCH & Tiger very well
From these data we can say there isn't much difference between these but again who knows which is more advanced.
Specifications (Tiger HAP)
Data from Wilson,[98] McGowen[99]

General characteristics

• Crew: Two: pilot and weapon systems officer
• Length: 14.08 m fuselage (46 ft 2 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Height: 3.83 m (12 ft 7 in)
• Disc area: 133 m² (1,430 ft²)
• Empty weight: 3,060 kg (6,750 lb)
• Loaded weight: 5,090 kg (11,311 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,000 lb))
• Powerplant: 2 × MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshafts, 958 kW (1.303 shp) each
• Internal fuel capacity: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 290 km/h with mast, 315 km/h without mast (157 knots, 181 mph with mast, 170 knots or 196 mph without mast)
• Range: 800 km (430 nm, 500 mi) combat (with external tanks in the inboard stations: 1,300km)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.7 m/s (2,105 ft/min)
• Power/mass: 0.23 hp/lb (0.38 kW/kg)

Armament

• Guns:
  • 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30 cannon in chin turret, with up to 450 rounds.

On each of its two inner hardpoints and two outer hardpoints the Eurocopter Tiger can carry a combination of the following weapons:

• Inner hardpoints:
  • 1x 20 mm (0.787 in) autocannon pods, or
  • 22x 68 mm (2.68 in) SNEB unguided rockets in a pod, or
  • 19x 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod or
  • 4x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles (Australia/France) or
  • 4x Spike-ER missiles (Spain) or
  • 4x PARS 3 LR missiles (Germany) or
  • 4x HOT3 missiles (Germany)
• Outer hardpoints:
  • 2x Mistral air-to-air missiles, or
  • 2x FIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles (Germany), or
  • 12x 68 mm (2.68 in) SNEB unguided rockets in a pod or
  • 7x 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod

Specifications
Data from Globalsecurity[31]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 8 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.3 m (43 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in)
• Disc area: 136.85 m² (1,472 ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft, 1,067 kW (1,430 shp[32]) each

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 330 km/h (178 knots, 207 mph)
• Maximum speed: 280 km/h[33] (145 knots, 167 mph)
• Range: 700 km (297 nmi, 342 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
• Disc loading: 39.59 kg/m² (8.23 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 327 W/kg (0.198 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
• Hardpoints: 4 (two under each wing) and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 4 × 70/80 mm rocket-pods[29]
  • Missiles: 4 × two-round MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation, and 2 × four-round Helina, LAHAT anti-tank missiles
  • Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs including Gravity bombs, cluster bombs and grenade launchers

 

[Chinmoy]

Sir, but that is not believable, we know basic capacity of LCH & Tiger very well
From these data we can say there isn't much difference between these but again who knows which is more advanced.
Specifications (Tiger HAP)
Data from Wilson,[98] McGowen[99]

General characteristics

• Crew: Two: pilot and weapon systems officer
• Length: 14.08 m fuselage (46 ft 2 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Height: 3.83 m (12 ft 7 in)
• Disc area: 133 m² (1,430 ft²)
• Empty weight: 3,060 kg (6,750 lb)
• Loaded weight: 5,090 kg (11,311 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,000 lb))
• Powerplant: 2 × MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshafts, 958 kW (1.303 shp) each
• Internal fuel capacity: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 290 km/h with mast, 315 km/h without mast (157 knots, 181 mph with mast, 170 knots or 196 mph without mast)
• Range: 800 km (430 nm, 500 mi) combat (with external tanks in the inboard stations: 1,300km)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.7 m/s (2,105 ft/min)
• Power/mass: 0.23 hp/lb (0.38 kW/kg)

Armament

• Guns:
  • 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30 cannon in chin turret, with up to 450 rounds.

On each of its two inner hardpoints and two outer hardpoints the Eurocopter Tiger can carry a combination of the following weapons:

• Inner hardpoints:
  • 1x 20 mm (0.787 in) autocannon pods, or
  • 22x 68 mm (2.68 in) SNEB unguided rockets in a pod, or
  • 19x 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod or
  • 4x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles (Australia/France) or
  • 4x Spike-ER missiles (Spain) or
  • 4x PARS 3 LR missiles (Germany) or
  • 4x HOT3 missiles (Germany)
• Outer hardpoints:
  • 2x Mistral air-to-air missiles, or
  • 2x FIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles (Germany), or
  • 12x 68 mm (2.68 in) SNEB unguided rockets in a pod or
  • 7x 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod

Specifications
Data from Globalsecurity[31]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 8 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.3 m (43 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in)
• Disc area: 136.85 m² (1,472 ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft, 1,067 kW (1,430 shp[32]) each

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 330 km/h (178 knots, 207 mph)
• Maximum speed: 280 km/h[33] (145 knots, 167 mph)
• Range: 700 km (297 nmi, 342 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
• Disc loading: 39.59 kg/m² (8.23 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 327 W/kg (0.198 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
• Hardpoints: 4 (two under each wing) and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 4 × 70/80 mm rocket-pods[29]
  • Missiles: 4 × two-round MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation, and 2 × four-round Helina, LAHAT anti-tank missiles
  • Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs including Gravity bombs, cluster bombs and grenade launchers

From these public data available, both LCH and Tiger does look similar in terms of Armaments and physical performance. But if you go into details, I Tiger would be a winner in terms of Electronics and Avionics. Comparing these two on basis of mere performance and armaments would not be viable lot unless and until we get some official figs for LCH.

 

[Superdefender]

If we consider only empty weight, LCH may be better in performance than Eurocoptor Tiger and Bell AH-1W Super Cobra.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

If we consider only empty weight, LCH may be better in performance than Eurocoptor Tiger and Bell AH-1W Super Cobra.

Here there is a need to understand the role for which these choppers were conceived. LCH was specifically designed to operate at high altitude and it is unmatched in this area. It is loosing the weight and increasing the power resulting in getting more and more deadly. 1200KW engine of HAL is coming up. It would have lose another 200 to 300 KG by than resulting in improvement of T/W ratio significantly lefting all other choppers much behind. You can argue which chopper is better for low altitude but as altitude increases, LCH becomes unmatched.

 

[Superdefender]

Here there is a need to understand the role for which these choppers were conceived. LCH was specifically designed to operate at high altitude and it is unmatched in this area. It is loosing the weight and increasing the power resulting in getting more and more deadly. 1200KW engine of HAL is coming up. It would have lose another 200 to 300 KG by than resulting in improvement of T/W ratio significantly lefting all other choppers much behind. You can argue which chopper is better for low altitude but as altitude increases, LCH becomes unmatched.

No one is denying its High altitude performance, in which it is world beater. After shredding weight and engine upgradation, LCH may even become on par aerobically tuned and similar lethal (if not better) than the similar class gunships in low altitude as well. So it will be a mean machine which can scare adversary in all heights. If we can advertise right, then export prospect of LCH is very high.

 

[Superdefender]

Here there is a need to understand the role for which these choppers were conceived. LCH was specifically designed to operate at high altitude and it is unmatched in this area. It is loosing the weight and increasing the power resulting in getting more and more deadly. 1200KW engine of HAL is coming up. It would have lose another 200 to 300 KG by than resulting in improvement of T/W ratio significantly lefting all other choppers much behind. You can argue which chopper is better for low altitude but as altitude increases, LCH becomes unmatched.

No one is denying its High altitude performance, in which it is world beater. After shredding weight and engine upgradation, LCH may even become on par aerobically tuned and similar lethal (if not better) than the similar class gunships in low altitude as well. So it will be a mean machine which can scare adversary in all heights. If we can advertise right, then export prospect of LCH is very high.

 

[Superdefender]

Here there is a need to understand the role for which these choppers were conceived. LCH was specifically designed to operate at high altitude and it is unmatched in this area. It is loosing the weight and increasing the power resulting in getting more and more deadly. 1200KW engine of HAL is coming up. It would have lose another 200 to 300 KG by than resulting in improvement of T/W ratio significantly lefting all other choppers much behind. You can argue which chopper is better for low altitude but as altitude increases, LCH becomes unmatched.

No one is denying its High altitude performance, in which it is world beater. After shredding weight and engine upgradation, LCH may even become on par aerobically tuned and similar lethal (if not better) than the similar class gunships in low altitude as well. So it will be a mean machine which can scare adversary in all heights. If we can advertise right, then export prospect of LCH is very high.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

No one is denying its High altitude performance, in which it is world beater. After shredding weight and engine upgradation, LCH may even become on par aerobically tuned and similar lethal (if not better) than the similar class gunships in low altitude as well. So it will be a mean machine which can scare adversary in all heights. If we can advertise right, then export prospect of LCH is very high.

There was a news that Japan is interested.

 

[Superdefender]

There was a news that Japan is interested.

Yes, I had read that too. But only one source had published that news. So later I realised that might not be reliable info. Atleast I will believe it if I see a number of articles on net stating Japan is interested in LCH.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Yes, I had read that too. But only one source had published that news. So later I realised that might not be reliable info. Atleast I will believe it if I see a number of articles on net stating Japan is interested in LCH.

OK................................

 

[MKM]

From these public data available, both LCH and Tiger does look similar in terms of Armaments and physical performance. But if you go into details, I Tiger would be a winner in terms of Electronics and Avionics. Comparing these two on basis of mere performance and armaments would not be viable lot unless and until we get some official figs for LCH.

That's why I asked for comparison, if I would have compared both on these basic specification than LCH is much better than Tiger as it is like 2300kg weight vs 3000kg empty weight. Yes, Tiger looks better in other specifications.

If we consider only empty weight, LCH may be better in performance than Eurocopter Tiger and Bell AH-1W Super Cobra.

AH-1Z Viper(1,340 kW) have maximum speed of 411kmph which Pakistan recently ordered.

Here there is a need to understand the role for which these choppers were conceived. LCH was specifically designed to operate at high altitude and it is unmatched in this area. It is loosing the weight and increasing the power resulting in getting more and more deadly. 1200KW engine of HAL is coming up. It would have lose another 200 to 300 KG by than resulting in improvement of T/W ratio significantly lefting all other choppers much behind. You can argue which chopper is better for low altitude but as altitude increases, LCH becomes unmatched.

I haven't heard much about 1200kW engine, is it upgradation of Shakti engine? I heard only from unofficial sources basically on forums.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

According to Wikipedia, LOH(Light Observation Helicopter) is a derivative of LUH.

Yes......................................

 

[HariPrasad-1]

That's why I asked for comparison, if I would have compared both on these basic specification than LCH is much better than Tiger as it is like 2300kg weight vs 3000kg empty weight. Yes, Tiger looks better in other specifications.

AH-1Z Viper(1,340 kW) have maximum speed of 411kmph which Pakistan recently ordered.

I haven't heard much about 1200kW engine, is it upgradation of Shakti engine? I heard only from unofficial sources basically on forums.

No HAL has officially declared it. Yes, it may be Shakti derivative. It is official and not only on forum.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-pape...r-hals-new-aircraft-engine/article8009277.ece

 

[Gessler]

........................................................................

 

[Superdefender]

........................................................................

Looks like a Russian gunship with this paint job.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India to Conduct LCH Weapons Trials

HAL
The Indian Air Force is buying 65 of the homemade Light Combat Helicopter.

NEW DELHI — India will conduct weapons tests of its domestic-made Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in July and August, the defense minister said.

"LCH certification firing trials with integration of mission sensors such as the electro-optical system, helmet pointing system and weapon systems — air-to-air missiles, turret gun and rockets — are planned during July and August 2016," Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar told parliament Tuesday.

Built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCH is a two-engine, 5.5-ton helicopter capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, 20mm guns, unguided rockets, cluster bombs, grenade launchers and anti-radiation missiles.

HAL successfully tested the LCH's 70mm rocket in March, checking for system integration, structural integrity, noise and vibration, system functionality and the safe separation of rockets, Parrikar said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is buying 65 LCH at a cost of $1.4 billion, one HAL source said. The three defense forces have requested a total of 180.

Four technology demonstrators are undergoing flight testing, said Gopal Sutar, a HAL spokesman.

Designed for anti-tank and anti-infantry roles with a maximum speed of 275 kilometers per hour, the LCH is also capable of high-altitude warfare since its operational ceiling will be 16,000 to 18,000 feet.

It is equipped with missile warning systems, anti-missile countermeasures and cockpit displays that are capable of night attacks. It carries a domestically developed gyro-stabilized sighting system comprising a high-performance thermal imager and laser rangefinder, which can detect a tank target up to 4 kilometers.

The LCH is also capable of destroying unmanned aerial vehicles, slow-moving aircraft, tanks and armored and infantry combat vehicles.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India in talks with African countries for exporting Light Combat Helicopter

The successful demonstration of the LCH in firing 70 mm rockets was conducted during the Iron Fist exercise of the IAF held recently.

NEW DELHI: India is in talks with "certain" countries in Africa for possible export of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter even as the Defence Ministry has set a target of $2 billion worth of exports over the next two years.

The weapons trial of the LCH is planned in July-August this year. While the Army has placed an order for 114 LCH with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the IAF has ordered 65.

The successful demonstration of the LCH in firing 70 mm rockets was conducted during the Iron Fist exerciseof the IAF held recently.

The certification trials with integration of mission sensors such as electro optical system, helmet pointing system and weapon system like air to air missiles, turret gun and rockets are planned between July and August this year.

"We are in talks with certain countries in Africa who have evinced interest in the LCH. With great value for money, the helicopter is an attractive buy for many countries," a senior defence official said.

Asked why the countries would be interested in a chopper which is yet to get final certification, the official said, "The certification is a formal process. The countries interested in the LCH in the current form do not need high features like air to air missiles. For them turret gun along with some other features work."

LCH is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL.

Its features include sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crash worthy landing gear, crash worthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, nuclear and low visibility features which makes the LCH lethal, agile and survivable.

Designed for anti-tank and anti-infantry roles with a maximum speed of 275 kilometers per hour, the LCH is also capable of high-altitude warfare since its operational ceiling will be 16,000 to 18,000 feet.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had on Saturday said government is pushing for defence exports and plans to exportTejas fighter aircraft as well.

"I know it is not easy. Weapons and export of defence goods have double problems. One is whom you are exporting to and the second is one has to go on checking all international requirements," he had said.

Explaining that push for exports has started showing results, Parrikar said, "From a meager 140-150 million dollars, this year, I think we have crossed 330 odd million dollars. We have doubled the export. I have set a target for myself. In the next two years, why not touch $2 billion. It is not an impossible target."

 

[Navnit Kundu]

It does not mean that dangers have been erased but the easy peril highlighted through the Russian Afghan campaign have been mitigated.

Can you expand a bit on this? what are the kind of advantages in countermeasures that we have made and what are the counter-countermeasures that the enemy now has?