HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[abingdonboy]

Why HCH?!.. Due to its sleeker shape & smaller size LCH is as armoured as Apache. More than Mi-35.

To increase the payload at plains, it needs a minor structural reinforcement & a stronger engine (even Dhruv's will do).



Barely compares to theirs. Plustoo much of it is propaganda to know the true situation with accuracy.

A drone swarm won't overwhelm a group of LCH with 4 Mistrals each. Plus they are ideal for use against helos.
Against ground targets, they will be effective (some members here are being far too happy because we shot down a few lone Paki surveillance drones)... AAA can't stop a whole swarm nor can drone jammers spoof all of them, not within time. It might call for IronDome like F&F very short range massed-missiles to worse volley the drone would be easy targets.

HCH will offer only marginal benefits over the LCH as far as I can see in terms of ATGM carriage (16 vs 12)

However marginal gains all over can create quite a significant enhancement when seen as a package. Look at the T192B as an example.

HCH will be able to carry more armour, have a larger Calibre turret ( 30mm), carry more ammo, fuel etc.

basically take the place of the AH-64 in the Indian armed forces

 

[Suryavanshi]

HCH will offer only marginal benefits over the LCH as far as I can see in terms of ATGM carriage (16 vs 12)

However marginal gains all over can create quite a significant enhancement when seen as a package. Look at the T192B as an example.

HCH will be able to carry more armour, have a larger Calibre turret ( 30mm), carry more ammo, fuel etc.

basically take the place of the AH-64 in the Indian armed forces

Also more electronics, armour and weapon.

We have to replace those MI 35 after all.
And than there's export potential if HAL can get it's shit together.

 

[fire starter]

Also more electronics, armour and weapon.

We have to replace those MI 35 after all.
And than there's export potential if HAL can get it's shit together.

But where is the funding they are developing IMRH on their own money so forget about MCH.

 

[Suryavanshi]

But where is the funding they are developing IMRH on their own money so forget about MCH.

Maybe through PPP models some funds can be raised.
Look spending in indigenous product recharges our own economy.
Better than buying more apaches where every rupee spent goes to America.

 

[Dessert Storm]

Also more electronics, armour and weapon.

We have to replace those MI 35 after all.
And than there's export potential if HAL can get it's shit together.

Yeah. Heavies are a natural progression from light. As you said..... a lot of export potential. Furthermore, once we have our own fighter jet (with indigenous engines eg Tejas, MWF, TEDBF), the Europeans would be pushed out out of 4, 4++, 4.5 gen fighter sales (at least in Afro-Asian region).
We would be one of the most VFM (reliability included) provider of offensive platforms which are almost fully indigenous along with the weapons package.

 

[Dessert Storm]

But where is the funding they are developing IMRH on their own money so forget about MCH.

They will find it. Choppers is one segment where HAL is reasonably good.
Further, once, the AMCA PPP materialises, I am sure certain 'Best Practices' would be picked up and emulated by HAL.

 

[Flying Dagger]

The engine is same as Dhruva derated as more power wasn't required plus range.

It's already very strong can pull double the empty weight of it's own.

Mi Hind is actually replaced by Rudra though as basically both are tasked to carry troops with firepower.

Apache and LCH are our first true attack heli combo.

Why HCH?!.. Due to its sleeker shape & smaller size LCH is as armoured as Apache. More than Mi-35.

To increase the payload at plains, it needs a minor structural reinforcement & a stronger engine (even Dhruv's will do).



Barely compares to theirs. Plustoo much of it is propaganda to know the true situation with accuracy.

A drone swarm won't overwhelm a group of LCH with 4 Mistrals each. Plus they are ideal for use against helos.
Against ground targets, they will be effective (some members here are being far too happy because we shot down a few lone Paki surveillance drones)... AAA can't stop a whole swarm nor can drone jammers spoof all of them, not within time. It might call for IronDome like F&F very short range massed-missiles to worse volley the drone would be easy targets.

 

[Flying Dagger]

But where is the funding they are developing IMRH on their own money so forget about MCH.

It will be derivative of IMRH just like LCH is of Dhruva.

 

[Trololo]

Capability upgrade path for the LCH:

1> A2A missile integration: Mistral, Astra IR.
2> ATGM integration: Helena, SANT, Spike, Hellfire
3> Indian made mast mounted MMW radar
4> Drone control capability for Indian UAV platforms:
a> Ability to view live feed from a drone.
b> Ability to select target and command drone to attack that target
c> Ability to geofence a patrol area for a drone/ set patrol waypoints
5> Net centric capability:
a> Share information about targets and platform health/ status with other LCH platforms,
b> Ability to pass targeting information to artillery command post for highly accurate shelling.
c> Secure comms with SDR
6> Ease of maintenance with electronic health monitoring systems and predictive maintenance capability of components.
7> Replace Israeli EO pod with Indian pod. Tonbo already has a similar offering.
8> Cooperative engagement capability for ATGM firing.
9> Use of local turbo shaft engine instead of Shakti.
10> MAWS, DIRCM and other self protection aids.

The above capability additions I believe are already in the works for the LCH and with minimum weight penalty. We might see an increase in the engine thrust also.

This will allow us to also export the LCH to friendly countries in an all Indian or Indian/Foreign mix, depending upon the customer. An all Indian mix for example can be:

1> LCH helicopter
2> Indian MMW radar
3> Indian self protection suite
4> Indian SDR
5> Astra IR
6> HelIna missile (primary ATGM)
7> SANT missile (secondary ATGM)
8> Indian engine
9> Indian EO pod

Above opens up the door to sell Indian drones to add UAV control capability, and Indian artillery pieces and other net centric warfare equipment for artillery observation post and targeting capability.

Also, the R&D and manufacturing base and order book for the LCH and its further development also paves the way to the HCH.

 

[Flying Dagger]

Capability upgrade path for the LCH:

1> A2A missile integration: Mistral, Astra IR.
2> ATGM integration: Helena, SANT, Spike, Hellfire
3> Indian made mast mounted MMW radar
4> Drone control capability for Indian UAV platforms:
a> Ability to view live feed from a drone.
b> Ability to select target and command drone to attack that target
c> Ability to geofence a patrol area for a drone/ set patrol waypoints
5> Net centric capability:
a> Share information about targets and platform health/ status with other LCH platforms,
b> Ability to pass targeting information to artillery command post for highly accurate shelling.
c> Secure comms with SDR
6> Ease of maintenance with electronic health monitoring systems and predictive maintenance capability of components.
7> Replace Israeli EO pod with Indian pod. Tonbo already has a similar offering.
8> Cooperative engagement capability for ATGM firing.
9> Use of local turbo shaft engine instead of Shakti.
10> MAWS, DIRCM and other self protection aids.

The above capability additions I believe are already in the works for the LCH and with minimum weight penalty. We might see an increase in the engine thrust also.

This will allow us to also export the LCH to friendly countries in an all Indian or Indian/Foreign mix, depending upon the customer. An all Indian mix for example can be:

1> LCH helicopter
2> Indian MMW radar
3> Indian self protection suite
4> Indian SDR
5> Astra IR
6> HelIna missile (primary ATGM)
7> SANT missile (secondary ATGM)
8> Indian engine
9> Indian EO pod

Above opens up the door to sell Indian drones to add UAV control capability, and Indian artillery pieces and other net centric warfare equipment for artillery observation post and targeting capability.

Also, the R&D and manufacturing base and order book for the LCH and its further development also paves the way to the HCH.

Add Laser Pod too for drones and incoming missiles .

 

[Trololo]

Add Laser Pod too for drones and incoming missiles .

I doubt if that is possible in a helicopter. I do not think that the ICH can pul that much power

 

[Flying Dagger]

I doubt if that is possible in a helicopter. I do not think that the ICH can pul that much power

This is such a criminal assumption on your part USA has already tried them on Apache and their future helis will sport them.

US Army tests laser on Apache helicopter

The U.S. Army and Raytheon have completed a flight test of a high-energy laser system on an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter that was deemed successful, according to a Raytheon statement.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Trololo]

This is such a criminal assumption on your part USA has already tried them on Apache and their future helis will sport them.

US Army tests laser on Apache helicopter

The U.S. Army and Raytheon have completed a flight test of a high-energy laser system on an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter that was deemed successful, according to a Raytheon statement.

www.defensenews.com

Ok but can the LCH pull that kind of engine power to fire such a powerful laser?

 

[Flying Dagger]

Ok but can the LCH pull that kind of engine power to fire such a powerful laser?

Read the above posts. That's one area we need not worry.

 

[ezsasa]

Ok but can the LCH pull that kind of engine power to fire such a powerful laser?

Engine /mechanical power may not so relevant here, since laser is an electro-optical device and it's the batteries that need to be charged.

 

[Chandragupt Maurya]

Engine /mechanical power may not so relevant here, since laser is an electro-optical device and it's the batteries that need to be charged.

Batteries require power to charge , and even if they’re charged on ground they’re heavy and will increase the weight and thus service ceiling of the helicopter

 

[samsaptaka]

Take all CAG reports with a bucket of salt, not sure why it keeps happening but their misunderstandings about defence projects is mind blowing

Yup, second this. At first I was also worrying about negative things which CAG seemed to write about almost any defence acquisition, then later realised that they are only a bunch of babus and politicians forming a committee and ranting about things they don't know jack shit about.

HAL can integrate any weapon or system the users could ask for

How can IA order this platform and for what when it is designed for kite flying.

Which begs the question, why is IA not working with HAL and specifying an ATGM and kicking HAL's ass to integrate said ATGM ASAP. There is no cohesion in this project between IA and HAL unlike the one seen in Tejas between IAF and HAL. If IA had specified the ATGM early on, by now it would have been integrated.
This blame game between IA and HAL is costing the nation dearly !

 

[patriots]

"The most important change has not been discussed here or anywhere else that I have seen. The glass on LCH is now bulletproof and these have now been tested at high altitude."
"I don't exactly know. Earlier the armor below the side glass was armored. Also the flat glass panels in the front were armored. Now, everything is."

Says indranil in brf

 

[patriots]

"The most important change has not been discussed here or anywhere else that I have seen. The glass on LCH is now bulletproof and these have now been tested at high altitude."
"I don't exactly know. Earlier the armor below the side glass was armored. Also the flat glass panels in the front were armored. Now, everything is."

Says indranil in brf

Ok guys let me add more info
Lch armoured cockpit was tested in Ladakh .....when it's deployment news was published
It was there for armoured cockpit trial

 

[Dessert Storm]