After Tejas, HAL gets request for more desi combat choppers
BENGALURU: Just days after the
Indian Air Force (IAF) kick-started the process to place orders for 83 more
Tejas aircraft, the IAF and the Indian Army have now floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 15 Limited Series Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), further providing a boost to defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The LCH is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL, and is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter.
Confirming the RFP, HAL said in a statement: "The features that are unique to LCH are sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection and low visibility features which makes the LCH lethal, agile and survivable."
The helicopter, HAL claimed, would have day/night targeting systems for the crew including the Helmet pointed sight and Electro-optical pod consisting of CCD camera. Besides, it comes fitted with Self Protection Suite consisting of Radar/Laser Missile warning systems and countermeasures dispensing system
Presently, four technology demonstrators are under flight testing. "LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at
Siachen, 5,400 mts above sea level. On August 26, 2017, the Defence Minister launched the production of LCH at Bengaluru and
IOCdocuments of the basic version were handed over to HAL by the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC)," HAL said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...desi-combat-choppers/articleshow/62210953.cms