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

[Indx TechStyle]

HAL pushing for LUH first
flight in December

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to conduct the maiden test flight of its under-development Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in December.
HAL officials told IHS Jane's that the proposed flight of the 3.1 tonne single-engine LUH prototype followed successful ground tests in December 2014 and would coincide with the 75th anniversary of HAL's founding.
Under development since 2008-9, the LUH is being developed to replace the obsolete Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) and Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) helicopters, which have been operated by the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) since the 1960s.
By mid-2017 HAL aims to have built four LUH prototypes and to have obtained initial operational (IOC) before series production starts in 2018 at a special helicopter facility it plans to build at Tumkur, 74 km north of Bangalore.
HAL claims to have a confirmed order for 187 LUHs from the AAC and the IAF with deliveries complete by 2024-25.
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.
HAL envisions it fulfilling casualty evacuation and troop transport, as well as aerial reconnaissance and area surveillance. It will also be fitted with a cargo hook able to ferry an underslung load of up to 1,000 kg, HAL engineers said.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@bengalraider
@DFI_COAS
@LETHALFORCE
@Bornubus
@Yusuf
@Chinmoy

 

[Bornubus]

HAL pushing for LUH first
flight in December

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to conduct the maiden test flight of its under-development Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in December.
HAL officials told IHS Jane's that the proposed flight of the 3.1 tonne single-engine LUH prototype followed successful ground tests in December 2014 and would coincide with the 75th anniversary of HAL's founding.
Under development since 2008-9, the LUH is being developed to replace the obsolete Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) and Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) helicopters, which have been operated by the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) since the 1960s.
By mid-2017 HAL aims to have built four LUH prototypes and to have obtained initial operational (IOC) before series production starts in 2018 at a special helicopter facility it plans to build at Tumkur, 74 km north of Bangalore.
HAL claims to have a confirmed order for 187 LUHs from the AAC and the IAF with deliveries complete by 2024-25.
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.
HAL envisions it fulfilling casualty evacuation and troop transport, as well as aerial reconnaissance and area surveillance. It will also be fitted with a cargo hook able to ferry an underslung load of up to 1,000 kg, HAL engineers said.
View attachment 6522

But what happen with KA 226 the deal we signed with Russia ?

Does LUH have indigenous Engine ?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

But what happen with KA 226 the deal we signed with Russia ?

Does LUH have indigenous Engine ?

Not completely indigenous. HAL Tubermeca Shakti is a joint venture heli engine of India and France.
In LUH, it is improved by 20% as compared to Dhruv

KA226 deals remains unaffected. IAF will induct a possible mix of both helicopters. LUHs are low cost so can be inducted in large numbers.

 

[The enlightened]

KA 226T will be more capable and practical but at least indian engineers get some work with this.

 

[Prashant12]

PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone for HAL's Helicopter Plant in Tumakaru

BENGALURU: The Bengaluru-headquartered defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is celebrating its 75th year, is all set to start work on its new helicopter manufacturing plant near Tumakuru, around 70 km from the state capital.

“The Prime Minister, who is the driving force behind ‘Make in India’, will be here for the foundation laying ceremony on January 2,” said HAL Chairman and Managing Director T Suvarna Raju at a programme to mark the 75th year of the PSU.

Raju thanked the Government of Karnataka for grating 610 acres in Tumakuru. HAL will be building its light utility helicopter, the naval multi-role helicopter and Indian multi-role helicopter at the plant.

Going with the ‘Make in India’ concept, HAL has planned to become completely indigenous in the coming years by building and designing aircrafts. The HAL Board has cleared `458 crore for this purpose, said Raju. He added that the firm is keen to increase its production from eight aircrafts to 16 per year.

HAL is also developing a 60-80 seater regional transport aircraft which can be used for connecting small towns in India.
HAL for the 2014-15 financial year had a turnover of $2.6 billion, informed Raju.

“We have an order for 40 Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) and efforts are in place to obtain the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) by the end of 2015. Steps are also taken towards developing the LCA Mk II version which will have a higher powered engine and HAL is expecting orders from IAF for the same,” said Raju.

The first flight of Light Utility Helicopter PT1 is expected in next few days and operational clearance of the basic version is expected by the end of year 2016. “HAL has also received an order for 20 Cheetal helicopters from the Indian Army, which is being executed now. The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) has also completed 980 test flights and we plan to get get its operation clearance during 2015-16,” the CMD added.

Mini Air Show

Most aircraft and helicopters including the LCA and the Hawk built by HAL took part in a flying display to mark the 75-year celebrations. The mini air show was essentially for the employees and their families. Even retired employees enjoyed the show at the PSU’s airport in the city.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cit...ant-in-Tumakaru/2015/12/24/article3193557.ece

 

[tejas warrior]

The first flight of Light Utility Helicopter PT1 is expected in next few days..

It was promised by this year 2015.

 

[Shaitan]

Ground test


What a gorgeous design.

Blades for LUH

 

[tejas warrior]

Ground test


What a gorgeous design.

Blades for LUH

When she will make her first flight.. ??

Time is the key as Russian chopper are coming as well.

 

[AbRaj]

Ground test


What a gorgeous design.

Blades for LUH

Absolutely delightful to see even as prototype, way to go HAL

 

[salute]

But what happen with KA 226 the deal we signed with Russia ?

Does LUH have indigenous Engine ?

ka 226 deal is still on,

along with airbus,

india requires more than 1000 helicopters.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Ground test


What a gorgeous design.

Blades for LUH

I think first flight scheduled for last year was delayed.
So, when will it fly?

 

[Nuvneet Kundu]

Does anyone know what will happen to Dhruv? Does it also fall under 'Light Utility Helicopter' category? And we are also buying Ka 226. Will all these 3 helicopters co-exist or are we going to scrap Dhruv?

 

[salute]

Does anyone know what will happen to Dhruv? Does it also fall under 'Light Utility Helicopter' category? And we are also buying Ka 226. Will all these 3 helicopters co-exist or are we going to scrap Dhruv?

hal dhruv eventually gonna be light utility helicopter,

while luh gonna be used for observations for para military,natural calamity,police,

but that gonna be later and not now,

when more indigenous and bigger versions of dhruv start manufacturing,

but even then not all of the total helicopters requirements gonna be completed by hal helicopters.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Does anyone know what will happen to Dhruv? Does it also fall under 'Light Utility Helicopter' category?

LUH has 20% more thrust. LUH must become ready by the time of retirement of Dhruv.

And we are also buying Ka 226. Will all these 3 helicopters co-exist or are we going to scrap Dhruv?

Dhruv and Ka 226 will co-exist and Ka 226 will co exist with HAL LUH.
Because LUH is a replacement for Dhruv and will enter service after 2020 when IAF will be retiring Dhruvs.

 

[AbRaj]

Does anyone know what will happen to Dhruv? Does it also fall under 'Light Utility Helicopter' category? And we are also buying Ka 226. Will all these 3 helicopters co-exist or are we going to scrap Dhruv?

@Indx TechStyle
Dhruv is twin engine, 5ton (medium weight category) multipurpose heli
while ALH is 2ton, single engine observation heli, both are meant for two different jobs
Btw LUH will be much cheaper than ALH also

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@Indx TechStyle
Dhruv is twin engine, 5ton (medium weight category) multipurpose heli
while ALH is 2ton, single engine observation heli, both are meant for two different jobs
Btw LUH will be much cheaper than ALH also

I guess ALHs will be replaced in next 10-15 years. Will there be used something else for their replacement?

 

[AbRaj]

I guess ALHs will be replaced in next 10-15 years. Will there be used something else for their replacement?

I don't think so except for some upgrades

 

[Nuvneet Kundu]

I don't think so except for some upgrades

We have purchased 200 of those microlight aircraft from Slovenia. Probably they will be used for constant patrolling over naxal areas. This can carry a payload of 300Kg.

Pipistrel Aircraft Virus SW 80/100

Extremely cost effective alternative to costly surveillance drones.

 

[Shadow]

Will it be having an indigenous engine or the JV Shakti engine?