HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[Rahul Singh]

after 10 years in production ,Dhruv (ALH) is still 90% foreign !

Let me start by saying that except engine there are very few sub-systems incorporated in ALH which can not be produced in India. But there is a catch HAL, is a profit intensive PSU which gives far more importance to profit than percentage of indigenous content. Here is few example.

1. HAL using DRDO and BEL expertise produced entire avionics including MFDs for Dhruv but later selected Israeli package instead.

2. SU-30 MKI MK-3 will use SAMTEL MFDs while HAL ALH will more likely continue using Israeli.

3. HAL imported EW suit off the self for ALH WSI even when EW suit for LCA has been developed through JV.

4. HAL bought french HUD for IJT when LCA uses Indian HUD. Most interesting is that former is just a trainer and later is front line multi-role fighter and both products are for same customer.

Let me claim on record. Most of the imported stuffs in ALH can be manufactured in India as technology to design, develop and manufacture them exists. But it will always depend on OEM to chooses what they want to put inside their product.

ALH is 90 % foreign only because of thinking of HAL not because India's lack of technical expertize.

 

[Maverick007]

Did anyone notice that a vintage chopper like the Super Cobra has a much higher top speed than most of the other choppers while the LCH is the slowest therein

 

[Yusuf]

Maverick speed etc is designed as per requirement. The fastest aircraft ever flew in the late 50s and no one has since gone that fast since. Reason, not required.

 

[Singh]

ALH is 90 % foreign only because of thinking of HAL not because India's lack of technical expertize.

Assuming India doesn't lack Industrial, scientific and techincal expertise it wouldn't have been a lot smarter to buy 100% foreign instead, don't cha think so ??


PS: As is evident I am no HAL or DRDO fanboy.

 

[Maverick007]

There has been increasing bonhomie between the US and India especially with reference to defence equipment sales. We sort of also helped them but making the C-17 not getting shut down et al. Isn't it time to really ask them for something that we need as opposed to what they want to sell us. I would really like to see the Arrowhead sensor on our LCH.

 

[Maverick007]

Maverick speed etc is designed as per requirement. The fastest aircraft ever flew in the late 50s and no one has since gone that fast since. Reason, not required.

Very true Yusuf. I agree on the part the speed is just one of the elements in making a successful attack helicopter. There are a multitude of other factors that will come into play......But I always thought that a better speed gave an attack chopper a two pronged benefit, One being to scoot in and out fast and secondly, helping it to achieve better attack basis. Your views please

 

[Yusuf]

Attack helos with good control while hovering and firing would serve better purpose. quick target acquisition fire and moving to the next. A 25-50 kmph difference is not going to make any difference in my opinion as helos are not going to engage in dog fights.

 

[Armand2REP]

Very true Yusuf. I agree on the part the speed is just one of the elements in making a successful attack helicopter. There are a multitude of other factors that will come into play......But I always thought that a better speed gave an attack chopper a two pronged benefit, One being to scoot in and out fast and secondly, helping it to achieve better attack basis. Your views please

The real requirements of an attack helo is low observability, ie keeping out of the view of escorting AAA and SHORAD. By its very nature it can fly low avoiding most radars which is why IR missiles are the biggest threat. Keeping the thermal signature down is of top importance. Having an attack missile that can allow it to stay behind trees and other obstacles greatly helps keeping it safe from ground threats. Hellfire is good because it pops up above the trees, then makes a top attack on the target keeping the helo out of view. Countries now are seeking stand-off range missiles with semi-active laser homing that can allow it to stay safe.

Speed for a helo isn't going to make that much of a difference. It can't outrun fast movers, nor can it dodge incoming missiles or AAA. They are already deployed to forward bases and not far from the action, 50kts more isn't going to give it that much of a reaction time. It is far more important for them to remain unseen than it is for them to run.

 

[Maverick007]

The real requirements of an attack helo is low observability, ie keeping out of the view of escorting AAA and SHORAD. By its very nature it can fly low avoiding most radars which is why IR missiles are the biggest threat. Keeping the thermal signature down is of top importance. Having an attack missile that can allow it to stay behind trees and other obstacles greatly helps keeping it safe from ground threats. Hellfire is good because it pops up above the trees, then makes a top attack on the target keeping the helo out of view. Countries now are seeking stand-off range missiles with semi-active laser homing that can allow it to stay safe.

Speed for a helo isn't going to make that much of a difference. It can't outrun fast movers, nor can it dodge incoming missiles or AAA. They are already deployed to forward bases and not far from the action, 50kts more isn't going to give it that much of a reaction time. It is far more important for them to remain unseen than it is for them to run.

Touche mate. Makes sense

 

[alphatechnocrat]

The LCH looks cool but that glass canopy looks a bit overdone...
It should be something more conventional like this:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Should reduce the chance of taking a hit on the canopy and also even bring a very minor reduction in weight.

 

[plugwater]

 

[black eagle]

I am disappointed with the LCH in the fact that it can only carry two ATGMs in one hard-point & not four like the Apache or the Tiger. Rest are pretty cool. This one's a nice pic btw.

 

[sayareakd]

@BE it is not that difficult to make LCH carry 4 ATGM on one side just wait till HELINA enters the picture.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

I am disappointed with the LCH in the fact that it can only carry two ATGMs in one hard-point & not four like the Apache or the Tiger. Rest are pretty cool. This one's a nice pic btw.

^^Thats a Air-force version with two AAMs.. ( Those are not ATGM but AAM )

^^LCH are suppose to carry 4lahat each side, total 8 ATGM for Armour busting role :emot180: ..

The LCH looks cool but that glass canopy looks a bit overdone...

Production model`s canopy will be different..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Photo-shop!! :emot15:

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Nice pics. When will they be inducted into the INDIAN Defence forces.:emot112:

 

[Ray]

In addition:

India cannot have diverse equipment owing to budgetary constraints.

Therefore, whatever be the equipment, it has to be suitable for all types of terrain and climatic conditions and humidity signatures.

India has plains, jungles, deserts, cold deserts, high altitude etc.

The temperature profile ranges from approximately 45 plus to 50 minus, not forgetting humidity ranges that are the greatest enemy of modern electronics.

 

[p2prada]

Liquid Cooling or even Vapour cooling will help reduce environmental challenges. This is used in many of the components in the F-22 and F-35. It reduces power consumption too. The downside is it increases weight.

 

[hitenray09]

but still this is an achievment for hal and india to build a lch. kudos to u

 

[Anshu Attri]

Indian Light Combat Helicopter - Test Flight