HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Observation Helicopter (LOH)

[abingdonboy]

Sure. LUH can carry a payload of aroudn 600-700 kgs.
So if you allocate 100 kgs to the 12.7 gun+turret+ammo,
50kgs for EO pod,
another 150 kg each for each rocket pod (maybe lighter if smaller rockets are chosen),

then you're left with probably 300-350 kgs. That's could leave enough power to possibly carry 3-4 fully armed troops.

I had seen a picture of an LUH mockup with the weapons boom, but I could not find it right now. .

Nice post bro.

Obviously the payload capacity at higher altitude will degrade so there will need to be more of a trade off and thus the LUH will need to rely more on armed escorts rather than being armed+carrying passengers.

Alas, it is a nice problem to have (too many options and over lapping roles) and one it will be up to the services to find operational plans for.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Lets see and wait ..

Its a requirement when LCH program was on, Perhaps LCH fulfills and if not then we might see the requirement online ..

The LUH is the replacement for the Cheetah and Chetak and a DAMN GOOD one at that, let's not try and make it a F-22! This is the LCA all over again, inflated and unrealistic expecations (by fanboys and the unimformed )when the actual orginal goals are very modest and amply taken care of but this isn't sufficent to them and thus the project is unfairly labelled a failure.

The LCH is ordered in good quantity (numbers will go well past the 200 unit mark) by IA and IAF, the LUH just has to take care of the RSH/LOH role to replace those damn Cheetahs and Chetaks.

 

[Bahamut]

Umm, so.............. the Rudra??

Rudra is presently most suited for such operations.

 

[Scrutator]

Nice post bro.

Obviously the payload capacity at higher altitude will degrade so there will need to be more of a trade off and thus the LUH will need to rely more on armed escorts rather than being armed+carrying passengers.

Alas, it is a nice problem to have (too many options and over lapping roles) and one it will be up to the services to find operational plans for.

I feel that if they can fit the weapons boom, an EO pod and base plate for gun turret on most LUHs (a penalty of less than 100 kgs), then it would leave the option to put-on/take-off rocket pods and put-on/take-off the gun.
EO pod of course should always remain, which will be useful for night flying and combat(if required).

 

[Bahamut]

Sure. LUH can carry a payload of aroudn 600-700 Kgs.
So if you allocate 100 kgs to the 12.7 gun+turret+ammo,
50kgs for EO pod,
another 150 kg each for each rocket pod (maybe lighter if smaller rockets are chosen),

then you're left with probably 300-350 kgs. That could leave enough power to possibly carry 3-4 fully armed troops.

I had seen a picture of an LUH mockup with the weapons boom, but I could not find it right now. Little Bird's the closest it will come to.

It still lack armor, ECM, basic first aid and surveillance kit . It can be use to send a two man team but no more.

 

[Scrutator]

It still lack armor, ECM, basic first aid and surveillance kit . It can be use to send a two man team but no more.

As I explained in the subsequent post, LUH will need to have the capability to roll-on/roll-off things as per mission requirements. Rudra with some armor upgrade will be good for SF ops!

 

[kunal1123]

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[Prashant12]

LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER: Successful maiden flight in Sep 2016. Intend to complete certification by 2018 & start delivering. #AeroIndia2017

https://twitter.com/jrpur

 

[kunal1123]

KAMOV 226T: Shareholding brief signed. Awaiting Russian Presidential clearance before MoD lays down process manufacturing. #AeroIndia2017

 

[Bahamut]

KAMOV 226T: Shareholding brief signed. Awaiting Russian Presidential clearance before MoD lays down process manufacturing. #AeroIndia2017

Look like we can expect the first KA 226 and LUH by next year. Good news

 

[tejas warrior]

Look like we can expect the first KA 226 and LUH by next year. Good news

I dont understand why we are buying KA 226 when we already have LUH coming up.

LUH share lots of commonality of parts with ALH, so maintenance will be easy and cheap.

Every order of KA 226 means one order Less for LUH.

 

[Shadow]

I dont understand why we are buying KA 226 when we already have LUH coming up.

LUH share lots of commonality of parts with ALH, so maintenance will be easy and cheap.

Every order of KA 226 means one order Less for LUH.

I feel Ka 226 may be used for civilian market, considering the fact that even the Russian Armed forces don't use the Ka 226

 

[Bahamut]

I dont understand why we are buying KA 226 when we already have LUH coming up.

LUH share lots of commonality of parts with ALH, so maintenance will be easy and cheap.

Every order of KA 226 means one order Less for LUH.

No they are very different
1.Our version of Ka 226T has two engine and is much safer to use but needs extra maintenance.
2.It has a modular design and the cabin can be replace so it will be more efficient, and more convenient. We can have air ambulance cabin and in about an our swap it with a troop transports cabin or external sling cabin.

 

[Bahamut]

I feel Ka 226 may be used for civilian market, considering the fact that even the Russian Armed forces don't use the Ka 226

They are in limited service with additional order plan, but mainly in training squadron to establish the tactics required and SOP. You can say it's in limited Service.

 

[PD_Solo]

I dont understand why we are buying KA 226 when we already have LUH coming up.

LUH share lots of commonality of parts with ALH, so maintenance will be easy and cheap.

Every order of KA 226 means one order Less for LUH.

Already discussed.

Start reading from post #155

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[salute]

del..............................................................................................................

 

[abingdonboy]

I feel that if they can fit the weapons boom, an EO pod and base plate for gun turret on most LUHs (a penalty of less than 100 kgs), then it would leave the option to put-on/take-off rocket pods and put-on/take-off the gun.
EO pod of course should always remain, which will be useful for night flying and combat(if required).

It still lack armor, ECM, basic first aid and surveillance kit . It can be use to send a two man team but no more.

ECM and EO pod will be standard fit for all LUH anyway.

I dont understand why we are buying KA 226 when we already have LUH coming up.

LUH share lots of commonality of parts with ALH, so maintenance will be easy and cheap.

Every order of KA 226 means one order Less for LUH.

This is the billion dollar question, seems like this is a bone being thrown to the Russians for god knows what reason.

 

[salute]

Weapons pylons will be developed for the LUH that is a certainty but it won't become a dedicated gunship like the Rudra.

they should make gunship version of it , something like lakota .

 

[Bahamut]

ECM and EO pod will be standard fit for all LUH anyway

The standard ECM will not do in such mission. I mean jammer that can jam multiple frequency, IR jammer. Also SAR capability with a FLIR will be required. LUH lifts about 750kg and it would have to operate with full load at low level flying from at high speed. With all the armour, firepower and other system, the range will decrease and this will also put high stress on helicopter. We are not going to use the for terrorist but a enemy will a good air defences where it just not has the required space or load vs range capability. ALH or MI 17V5 are better suited for such operations.

 

[busesaway]

It is a utility helicopter not a combat helicopter. It will transport goods and personal from one base to another. For combat deployment Ka 226T will be use as it gives more flexibility and hence is more effective in combat role like air ambulance, troop transport, external load carrying etc.

Thank. That's what I was suspecting. The Korean Navy has a lot of these "logistical transport vehicles" that are primarily uses for functions that would be served by the coastguard or police in several countries.

While they can be used to compensate for a lack of military hardware when military budgets aren't plentiful, I personally think they should be kept aside for use by said police/gendarmerie forces, and that the military should aim to purchase hardware that's focused for operations with armed combat.