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

[abingdonboy]

There is a Chetak replacement market across IN and ICG. At this time I think there is a good chance that Ka-226 will fulfill that role given Kamov's traditional presence in this space. Arguably Ka-226 is a better choice than LUH:

The Ka-226 is not a naval helo and the IN is not considering it. The NLUH will be the Panther IMO.

I'd be pretty happy to see the Ka-226T deal collapse at this point, it is only being pursued because of politics now. With the HAL LUH not far off I'd rather see the HAL LUH have 400 orders from day one and a further 200 later (total IAF/IA LUH requirement is for about 600 units).

LCH: No naval requirement but I do hope to see it in service with at least small numbers. For example, operate a couple of INS Vikramaditya for:

- sanitization and force protection in littorals
- Assist with small scale special ops by MARCOS.
- protect against drones

LCH will never operate off a carrier, if they are going to operate from a ship it will be a LHD/LPD. IF/when the IN has its own marine infantry force then 100% a naval LCH should be developed for use on the LHD/LPD ships.

 

[abingdonboy]

I don't think so

I think dhruv will be more suitable for the market segment you mentioned

For observation duties the LUH is far better for the police, for passenger transport the ALH will be better suited.

 

[abingdonboy]

Agreed again. It is a strict "may be"...didn't want to leave out any possibilities so I included it. Yes I did have the Naval Infantry forces in mind...but even then it's likely they could even go with the heavier Apache AH-64Es when they come to that point. No guarantee they'll buy N-LCH even then.

If/when the Naval infantry are ready then the LCH should be explored as I expect by then it will have been far more matured and will feature a signifcant amount of upgrades over what it currently has. I still don't see the Naval infantry force being ready for another 10-12 years so there is plenty of time.

 

[salute]

The new engine with 20% higher kW power output is called Shakti-1U.

It's an improvement over the previous Shakti-1H1 that powers both Dhruv and LCH. Both these engines are based on the Turbomeca Ardiden design. HAL only produces them under license.

http://www.turbomeca.com/helicopter-engines/1000-2000-shp/ardiden

http://www.turbomeca.com/engine-partnerships/partnerships/shakti

While thousands of crores were spent on developing turbofan engines, no-one in the MoD or HAL fraternity thought that it would be a wise idea to invest in R&D for turboshaft engines for helicopters....which are relatively less complex, and have a huge market - much bigger than for jet engines. If this were a private company, things would be very different.

As of this part in your comment :

"This will be a big blow to the French company that currently supplies those engines"

Not at all....infact they're gonna get a big boost in revenue from India.

maybe their thinking was to make jet engines first,because that tech is a such a hurdle for india to make jet aircraft,

its the a such a big hurdle for india to become independent at making jets,

while helicopters engine is relatively cheap to buy and relatively cheap to create that tech,

this is the same thinking of them which was also at making missiles tech,
they gonna for making icbm first even before short range or medium range missiles,

yeah its a little different thing because icbms are about deterrence of the country,the ultimate weapon,
and air defence at different ranges is different thing,
but maybe this deterrence made india to do other defence negotiations easier,

even if jet engines is a smaller market than helicopter engines but it is more premium for defence industry to become established industry of aerospace tech.

 

[gslv markIII]

The HTSE project has just started. It'll be quite a while before its ready for production. Till then it's the Shakti-1U that will drive the chopper game forward.

Yup,even that 25 KN turbofan would require quite a long time.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Yup,even that 25 KN turbofan would require quite a long time.

Hey buddy, long time not seen you.

 

[Abhi9]

SELF DELETE..............................................................

 

[AbRaj]

HAL LUH .........................................................

Image is not showing up, kindly repost

 

[Abhi9]

..........................................................HERE HOPE IT HELPS

 

[Gessler]

..........................................................HERE HOPE IT HELPS

View attachment 8204

LUH is turning out beautifully. We'll be building hundreds of these for both domestic military/civilian use as well as potential exports.

@abingdonboy @PARIKRAMA

 

[Bahamut]

Hey guys I find this on Janes
Powered by a single Shakti 1U turboshaft engine - a derivative of the Shakti (Arididen 1H1) engine developed jointly by HAL and France's Turbomeca - the LUH has a two-man crew and an operating range of 350 km. It is intended to be capable of carrying a 500 kg payload at sea level and 75 kg at its operational ceiling of 6,000 m.

Is it true as the performance in high altitude is not what army will need.
Link:http://www.janes.com/article/54146/hal-pushing-for-luh-first-flight-in-december

 

[tejas warrior]

..........................................................HERE HOPE IT HELPS

View attachment 8204

When we are going to have first flight test ?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

When we are going to have first flight test ?

They promised first in December 2015, then, February 2016.
now, promising for this year. No fixed deadline isn't public though.

 

[abingdonboy]

They promised first in December 2015, then, February 2016.
now, promising for this year. No fixed deadline isn't public though.

When we are going to have first flight test ?

June 2016 bros.

+ 6 months behind schedule is comparably good for such projects!

 

[AbRaj]

..........................................................HERE HOPE IT HELPS

View attachment 8204

Not bad.................

 

[AbRaj]

June 2016 bros.

+ 6 months behind schedule is comparably good for such projects!

Looking at this beauty, not at all

 

[HariPrasad-1]

..........................................................HERE HOPE IT HELPS

View attachment 8204

I want an armed version too. .............

 

[abingdonboy]

I want an armed version too. .............

An armed version would have little utility in Indian service not with the Rudra, LCH and Apache being inducted. An armed variant would be good to boost the LUH's export credentials though.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

An armed version would have little utility in Indian service not with the Rudra, LCH and Apache being inducted. An armed variant would be good to boost the LUH's export credentials though.

Can't we deliver the punch very cost effectively in low intensity conflict such as against some insurgent group? I think that a single seated version with a powerful gun and some rocket can make a good amount of damage.

 

[abingdonboy]

Can't we deliver the punch very cost effectively in low intensity conflict such as against some insurgent group? I think that a single seated version with a powerful gun and some rocket can make a good amount of damage.

1) There is no utility for such a helo in Indian service
2) Gunships generally are twin seaters- 1 pilot flies, the other "fights", it would be unlikely you could have a single seat version especially given the LUH's design.