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

[WolfPack86]

HAL's indigenously developed light utility helicopter completes hot and high-altitude trials in Himalayas
BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) completed the hot and high-altitude trials in the Himalayas, said reports on Wednesday (September 9, 2020).


The LUH demonstrated high altitude capability in hot and high weather conditions at Daulat Beg Oldie in the Himalayas for about 10 days.



A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3300 meters above mean sea level) in temperatures up to ISA (international standard atmosphere)+320C which included envelope expansion, performance and flying qualities, Bengaluru-based HAL said.

The LUH took off from Leh and demonstrated its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 5000 MAMSL, the HAL said in a release.


The helicopter also demonstrated its payload capability in Siachen glacier high altitude.

During the trials, pilots landed the helicopter at the highest helipads of Amar and Sonam, it said. "HAL has once again proved its indigenous capability in design & development", the statement said.


The Army version of LUH is now ready for Initial Operational Clearance, said HAL CMD, R Madhavan.


Director (Engineering and R&D) (HAL) Arup Chatterjee said the performance of the helicopter and its systems is satisfactory and fulfills the requirements of the users.


All planned tests were successfully demonstrated, he said.


The flights were carried out recently by a composite trial team which included pilots from HAL, Wg Cdr (Retd) Unni Pillai, CTP (RW), Wg Cdr (Retd) Anil Bhambani, Gp Capt (Retd) Pupinder Singh and Gp Capt V Panwar along with Gp Capt R Dubey, Sq Ldr Joshi from Indian Air Force and Lt Col R Grewal & Lt Col Pawan from the Indian Army.


Representatives from certification authority witnessed the trials, it was stated. The Initial Operational Clearance for basic LUH was accorded by CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) for the IAF variant on February seven, 2020, HAL said.

HALs indigenously developed light utility helicopter completes hot and high-altitude trials in Himalayas

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) completed the hot and high-altitude trials in the Himalayas, said reports on Wednesday (September 9, 2020).

zeenews.india.com

 

[sorcerer]

India's light utility helicopter completes hot and high altitude trials in Himalayas

India's light utility helicopter completes hot and high altitude trials in Himalayas

The LUH took off from Leh and demonstrated its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 5000 MAMSL, an HAL statement said on Wednesday. The helicopter also demonstrated its payload capability in Siachen glacier high altitude. During the trials...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[VIP]

Indigenous LUH Completes Hot and High Altitude Trials in Himalayas. #IndianArmy version is now ready for IOC

Earlier which version of LUH got IOC?

 

[WolfPack86]

India's light utility helicopter completes hot and high altitude trials in Himalayas
HAL's indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) demonstrated high altitude capability in hot and high weather conditions in the Himalayas for about 10 days. A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3300 metres above mean sea level) in temperatures up to ISA (international standard atmosphere)+320C which included envelope expansion, performance and flying qualities, Bengaluru headquartered HAL ( Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) said.

The LUH took off from Leh and demonstrated its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 5000 MAMSL, an HAL statement said on Wednesday.

The helicopter also demonstrated its payload capability in Siachen glacier high altitude. During the trials, pilots landed the helicopter at the highest helipads of Amar and Sonam, it said.


"HAL has once again proved its indigenous capability in design & development", the statement said.

The Army version of LUH is now ready for Initial Operational Clearance, said HAL CMD, R Madhavan.

According to Director (Engineering and R&D), HAL, Arup Chatterjee, the performance of the helicopter and its systems is satisfactory fulfilling the requirements of the users.

All planned tests were successfully demonstrated.

The flights were carried out recently by composite trial team which included pilots from HAL, Wg Cdr (Retd) Unni Pillai, CTP (RW), Wg Cdr (Retd) Anil Bhambani, Gp Capt (Retd) Pupinder Singh and Gp Capt V Panwar along with Gp Capt R Dubey, Sq Ldr Joshi from Indian Air Force and Lt Col R Grewal & Lt Col Pawan from the Indian Army.

Representatives from certification authority witnessed the trials, it was stated.

The Initial Operational Clearance for basic LUH was accorded by CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) for IAF variant on February seven, 2020, HAL said.

India's light utility helicopter completes hot and high altitude trials in Himalayas

HAL's indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) demonstrated high altitude capability in hot and high weather conditions in the Himalayas for about 10 days. A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3300 metres above mean sea level) in temperatures up to ISA (international...

www.defencenews.in

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Earlier which version of LUH got IOC?

IAF. Now Army.

 

[captscooby81]

LUH video of its latest test from Siachen and ladakh

 

[Shaitan]

LUH video of its latest test from Siachen and ladakh

Stunning visuals, LUH is one of my favorite programs. The design is simple, but elegant.

 

[Dessert Storm]

Earlier which version of LUH got IOC?

Earlier IOC was given by IAF. The current is Army.
The follow-up question from both of us is obvious?

 

[Dessert Storm]

Without going into differentiators like Modular, double engine, counter-rotating rotors, Max operating height. Specific question Ka226 Vs LUH:
What would be the difference in the hover of the two models? Stability or anything else anyone would like to point out.

 

[Flying Dagger]

Weird! Maybe some snag happened. It was there is during rehersals to accompany the LUH but during the show LUH flew alone.




Wrong! Everything is the same capability, payload, engine power. The only difference is co-axial rotos and twin engine. In no other way 226 is better than LUH aside from added safety owing to twin engine.

First of all that's a major difference.

Coaxial rotors that's a major not just anything

Modular design and a rear gate. This is an added advantage and very useful you can turn it into an ambulance etc easy maintenance.

Twin engine pretty important : that's the reason while civilian version of French Dauphin failed due to single engine but it's twin engine variant is adopted all over the world and still being produced with upgrades. In China it is known as Z-9 /B. pakistan also have it and can operate upto 6000 m .

And everything else isn't same either.

Anyway the delay in Ka 226 T is really disappointing LUH would have gain a lot with it.

 

[WolfPack86]

Rotor Recap: The Light Utility Helicopter story so far
The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the latest rotor platform to fly out of the hangars of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has hit the headlines with its stunning performance during the recent trials at Himalayas.


In this report, Onmanorama takes a look at the LUH story so far, the technologies involved and the unique features of this desi flying machine. The need for LUH was felt after the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force sought a platform in the three-tonne class to carry out missions at the high altitudes of Himalayan and Glacier regions, given their strategic importance.


Currently, the ageing fleets of Cheetahs and Chetak helicopters operate at these high altitudes facing several limitations and obsolescence issues.


“The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) too can operate at high altitudes but may not be from bases with smaller helipads. This necessitated the IAF and the Indian Army to jointly issue the Staff Requirements for LUH with the state-of-the-art technologies to perform at high altitudes with considerable payloads,” said an official, who spoke to Onmanorama.


A total of 384 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) were projected by the Services in which 197 were in ‘Buy’ category and 187 in the ‘Make’ category.


The LUH is a design and development project, sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2009. It is undertaken by HAL as a fully indigenous development project.


Powered by a single turbo shaft engine Ardiden 1U from Safran Helicopter Engine (France), the LUH is designed for roles such as reconnaissance, surveillance, troop transportation, aerial photography and casualty evacuation.


The maiden flight of the first prototype (PT-1) was carried out on September 6, 2016; the second prototype (PT-2) flew on May 22, 2017 and the third one (PT-3) took to the skies on December 14, 2018.


Trials Completed


All certification activities like ground testing, ground test vehicle endurance runs, system testing, hot weather trials, cold weather trials, sea level trials and hot weather high altitude trials have been completed.


“Further, the user evaluation of hot and high altitude trials was carried out and the helicopter demonstrated its payload capability in Siachen glacier during August and September this year,” the official said.


Presently, three prototypes have completed about 600 hours of flight testing since 2016.


“In addition to meeting the requirements of armed forces, the LUH is designed to provide excellent performance at high altitude operations and with growth potential to accommodate additional equipment in future based on emerging needs. These features make LUH stand out in comparison to other contemporary helicopters in its class,” he added.


The Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the basic LUH for IAF was accorded by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification in during the DefExpo held in Lucknow in February.


HAL is expecting the IOC for basic LUH version for the Indian Army shortly.


“Series production of LUH is being proposed to launch shortly. As a part of concurrent planning, we have acquired 610 acres of land at Tumkur for establishing a dedicated manufacturing facility for LUH. We plan to produce minimum 30 to 40 helicopters per year at the beginning stage itself which can be improved further,” said the official.


Desi Systems


Critical systems like, rotor and transmission are indigenously designed and development by the Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre of HAL.


“Further, other divisions of HAL have developed avionics and electrical systems for LUH. From the beginning, we have partnered with many MSMEs and private industries in realization of machining components, cockpit display system and several stand-by instruments,” he said.


Some of the private industries that participated in the LUH programme include: Data Patterns, Datasol, Southern Electronics, Prudent Communications and Shanti Gears.


“With this, we have achieved maximum content of indigenization about in 65 per cent in the LUH programme. With the IP rights of the helicopter owned by HAL, any future adaptations can be undertaken within India to match with emerging operational requirements of our armed forces,” the official said.


Several new concepts like two segment main rotor blade, Smart Cockpit Display System, Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and Passive Vibration Isolation System (PVIS) have been incorporated in the helicopter.


Key Features


Predominantly composite airframe with excellent crashworthy features.


•Main and tail rotor blades made out of composite material for damage tolerance capability. The hinge-less rotor system ensures high agility and maneuverability of the helicopter.


•Spacious cabin ensuring enough room for troop transport up to six troops or two stretchers with a medical attendant or large volume internal cargo.


•The gen-next avionics suite with fully integrated Multi-Functional Displays and indigenously developed application software.


•Modern engine with high indigenous content, manufacturing and repair and overhaul (RoH) rights with HAL.


•Several dual redundant systems ensuring higher levels of safety.


•Single engine with dual channel automatic fuel control (FADEC) with additional backup control.


•Night flying capability and crashworthy features.


“We have integrated state-of-the art technologies and systems in LUH. It can cater to the emerging needs in this class of helicopter for the next three to four decades. Design concepts adopted in the LUH make it a versatile platform,” the official added.

Rotor Recap: The Light Utility Helicopter story so far – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[charlie]

......................they talk about NUH as well

 

[WolfPack86]

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon
India has decided to manufacture light choppers designed for operations in high altitudes, vital for maintaining troops through the year, following spike in border deployments.

The indigenous light utility helicopter (LUH), which has performed well in recent trials in Ladakh as well, will initially be produced in limited numbers before a larger order is placed for the Army and Air Force. With both satisfied with trial performances, the defence ministry is now processing the first order for 12 choppers, which will be followed by a larger batches to achieve a total of 187 LUHs in service.

“The acceptance of necessity for the first 12 helicopters is being approved. Once the order is placed, we will be in the position to deliver all of them within 28 months as the production facilities are already in place,” R Madhavan, the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has designed and developed the chopper, told ET.


These choppers are likely to be cheaper than foreign ones and is also likely to beat the Indo-Russian venture for Ka 226 helicopters on pricing as well. While the commercial bids for the Ka 226 are yet to be opened and issues around indigenisation levels are being discussed, the plan to manufacture at least 200 of the choppers in India is expected to cost under $2 billion.

While the Indo-Russian joint venture is also progressing, the indigenous LUH could end up in active service earlier if approvals are given for manufacturing. The Indian chopper is also expected to cost less as no transfer of technology costs are involved and it would have a very high indigenous content as most parts will be sourced from domestic companies. HAL has also been scaling up its production infrastructure with a new plant in Tumkur that has significantly enhanced capacity.

“With the Tumkur plant, we can now manufacture up to 60 helicopters per year. Including current capacity, we can do up to 90 chopper per year if the requirement is there and orders are placed,” Madhavan said. There is a huge demand for helicopters in the armed forces, given that the existing Cheetah/Chetak fleet has been in service for over four decades and is getting increasingly difficult to maintain as global manufacturers have stopped manufacturing spare parts, he said. Light choppers are used extensively by the Army and Air Force to supply and maintain troops in high altitude locations including the Siachen glacier where they are a lifeline for soldiers deployed at posts in excess of 18,000 feet. They carry out a variety of missions including casualty evacuation, dropping medical supplies, transporting essential equipment and facilitating quick movement at the frontier.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon

India has decided to manufacture light choppers designed for operations in high altitudes, vital for maintaining troops through the year, following spike in border deployments. The indigenous light utility helicopter (LUH), which has performed well in recent trials in Ladakh as well, will...

www.defencenews.in

 

[WolfPack86]

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon
India has decided to manufacture light choppers designed for operations in high altitudes, vital for maintaining troops through the year, following spike in border deployments.

The indigenous light utility helicopter (LUH), which has performed well in recent trials in Ladakh as well, will initially be produced in limited numbers before a larger order is placed for the Army and Air Force. With both satisfied with trial performances, the defence ministry is now processing the first order for 12 choppers, which will be followed by a larger batches to achieve a total of 187 LUHs in service.

“The acceptance of necessity for the first 12 helicopters is being approved. Once the order is placed, we will be in the position to deliver all of them within 28 months as the production facilities are already in place,” R Madhavan, the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has designed and developed the chopper, told ET.


These choppers are likely to be cheaper than foreign ones and is also likely to beat the Indo-Russian venture for Ka 226 helicopters on pricing as well. While the commercial bids for the Ka 226 are yet to be opened and issues around indigenisation levels are being discussed, the plan to manufacture at least 200 of the choppers in India is expected to cost under $2 billion.

While the Indo-Russian joint venture is also progressing, the indigenous LUH could end up in active service earlier if approvals are given for manufacturing. The Indian chopper is also expected to cost less as no transfer of technology costs are involved and it would have a very high indigenous content as most parts will be sourced from domestic companies. HAL has also been scaling up its production infrastructure with a new plant in Tumkur that has significantly enhanced capacity.

“With the Tumkur plant, we can now manufacture up to 60 helicopters per year. Including current capacity, we can do up to 90 chopper per year if the requirement is there and orders are placed,” Madhavan said. There is a huge demand for helicopters in the armed forces, given that the existing Cheetah/Chetak fleet has been in service for over four decades and is getting increasingly difficult to maintain as global manufacturers have stopped manufacturing spare parts, he said. Light choppers are used extensively by the Army and Air Force to supply and maintain troops in high altitude locations including the Siachen glacier where they are a lifeline for soldiers deployed at posts in excess of 18,000 feet. They carry out a variety of missions including casualty evacuation, dropping medical supplies, transporting essential equipment and facilitating quick movement at the frontier.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon

India has decided to manufacture light choppers designed for operations in high altitudes, vital for maintaining troops through the year, following spike in border deployments. The indigenous light utility helicopter (LUH), which has performed well in recent trials in Ladakh as well, will...

www.defencenews.in

 

[WolfPack86]

HAL begins AON process for first 12 LUH, once order is placed all will be delivered within 28 months . Afaik, #IndianArmy has a requirement of 126 LUH and #IAF to get 61.

 

[samsaptaka]

The acceptance of necessity for

Finally ! Some good news. But what are these endless procurement steps - acceptance of necessity, in principle approval, DAC approval, funds clearing, contract signing....ufff ! Horrible process .
MOD should be fired hook line and sinker !
At this rate we will never match chinks.
I mean seriously how difficult is it to simply remove this old bureaucratic nonsense and keep a two step process - competitive trials and contract thats it !
Fkrs babus must be shot

 

[ezsasa]

Finally ! Some good news. But what are these endless procurement steps - acceptance of necessity, in principle approval, DAC approval, funds clearing, contract signing....ufff ! Horrible process .
MOD should be fired hook line and sinker !
At this rate we will never match chinks.
I mean seriously how difficult is it to simply remove this old bureaucratic nonsense and keep a two step process - competitive trials and contract thats it !
Fkrs babus must be shot

For LUH, MoD need not be blamed yet. You have to remember they are also paying for building the manufacturing unit that makes LUH & LCH in parallel, technically HAL is building tumkur unit. More over First flight of LUH was in 2016, trials got completed only last year.

 

[WolfPack86]

Orders for the first batch of HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) to be placed soon. The first 12 helicopters will be delivered to IA/IAF by March 2023. After full scale production begins, HAL will have the capacity to deliver more than 30 LUHs a year.

 

[WolfPack86]

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon

India has decided to manufacture light choppers designed for operations in high altitudes, vital for maintaining troops through the year, following spike in border deployments. The indigenous light utility helicopter (LUH), which has performed well in recent trials in Ladakh as well, will initially be produced in limited numbers before a larger order is placed for the Army and Air Force. With both satisfied with trial performances, the defence ministry is now processing the first order for 12 choppers, which will be followed by a larger batches to achieve a total of 187 LUHs in service. “The acceptance of necessity for the first 12 helicopters is being approved. Once the order is placed, we will be in the position to deliver all of them within 28 months as the production facilities are already in place,” R Madhavan, the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has designed and developed the chopper, told ET. These choppers are likely to be cheaper than foreign ones and is also likely to beat the Indo-Russian venture for Ka 226 helicopters on pricing as well. While the commercial bids for the Ka 226 are yet to be opened and issues around indigenisation levels are being discussed, the plan to manufacture at least 200 of the choppers in India is expected to cost under $2 billion. While the Indo-Russian joint venture is also progressing, the indigenous LUH could end up in active service earlier if approvals are given for manufacturing. The Indian chopper is also expected to cost less as no transfer of technology costs are involved and it would have a very high indigenous content as most parts will be sourced from domestic companies. HAL has also been scaling up its production infrastructure with a new plant in Tumkur that has significantly enhanced capacity. “With the Tumkur plant, we can now manufacture up to 60 helicopters per year. Including current capacity, we can do up to 90 chopper per year if the requirement is there and orders are placed,” Madhavan said. There is a huge demand for helicopters in the armed forces, given that the existing Cheetah/Chetak fleet has been in service for over four decades and is getting increasingly difficult to maintain as global manufacturers have stopped manufacturing spare parts, he said. Light choppers are used extensively by the Army and Air Force to supply and maintain troops in high altitude locations including the Siachen glacier where they are a lifeline for soldiers deployed at posts in excess of 18,000 feet. They carry out a variety of missions including casualty evacuation, dropping medical supplies, transporting essential equipment and facilitating quick movement at the frontier.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to begin light chopper production soon – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[WolfPack86]

HAL'S LIGHT UTILITY CHOPPER FOR ARMY GETS INITIAL NOD
Light utility helicopter of HAL being tested in high-altitude region


BANGALORE: The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), made by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for the Indian Army, received the initial operational clearance (IOC) from the military aviation regulator Camila on Friday.

"The army variant of the LUH received the IOC from Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the margins of the 13th biennial Aero India 2021 expo at the Yelahanka air base in the city.

The 3-tonne class single-engine chopper, designed and developed by the rotary wing of the city-based defence behemoth, will replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak copters' fleet in operation of the three defence services.

"We are in the phase of integrating and flight-testing mission role equipment on LUH, whose performance in all terrains and under all-weather conditions has been satisfactory," said HAL director Arup Chatterjee on the occasion.

Powered by the turbo shaft engine (Ardiden 1U) of the French aerospace major Safran, the LUH is equipped with a smart cockpit display system and health and usage monitoring system for high-altitude missions in the Himalayas.

The certification process involving ground testing, system testing, flight testing, including hot and cold weather trials have been completed.

"Based on flight trials, the basic helicopter certification has been complied with satisfactorily," added the statement.

HAL's Light Utility Chopper For Army Gets Initial Nod

Light utility helicopter of HAL being tested in high-altitude region BANGALORE: The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), made by the state-run H...

www.indiandefensenews.in