HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[abingdonboy]

Why the shift from Bengaluru facility to the one in Tumkur after LSP production? Is it that the Tumkur facility got delayed and HAL was under pressure to start production, so they made a make-shift facility?

, ?

Tumkur was always meant to produce the LUH and LCH. Bengaluru will deliver LSPs only

 

[abingdonboy]

Israeli news media says spike for lch....
Are helina & sant for only heavy choppers?

Unsolicited offer. HELINA is the target for HAL for LCH, if timelines slip severely (unlikely at this point) interim foreign ATGMs may be ordered but this is unlikely also oven the time delays involved in off the shelf procurements.

 

[Wisemarko]

This thread on LCH was started way back in 2009! Then the hope was for rapid development and induction with 2-3 years. Now, eight years later the platform is neither inducted nor the final armament configuration is ready. I think it will take another decade before 1st squadron is cleared for operations. The cost of $30 million per piece is excessive, most likely due to high imported content. Thank goodness, we haven't had any need for attack helicopters recently because waiting for DPSU to deliver is longer than waiting for rain in Sahara desert.

 

[Shaitan]

This thread on LCH was started way back in 2009! Then the hope was for rapid development and induction with 2-3 years. Now, eight years later the platform is neither inducted nor the final armament configuration is ready. I think it will take another decade before 1st squadron is cleared for operations. The cost of $30 million per piece is excessive, most likely due to high imported content. Thank goodness, we haven't had any need for attack helicopters recently because waiting for DPSU to deliver is longer than waiting for rain in Sahara desert.

I remember following the program since then, I dont think anyone one of us had an exception of it being inducted in that short of time. User will get their hands on the LSPs.

 

[Wisemarko]

I remember following the program since then, I dont think anyone one of us had an exception of it being inducted in that short of time. User will get their hands on the LSPs.

Well..many did expect for it to be inducted by 2014-15

http://zeenews.india.com/news/natio...t-combat-helicopters-by-month-end_587242.html

 

[Kshithij]

Israeli news media says spike for lch....
Are helina & sant for only heavy choppers?

Spike ER is not lightweight. It is as heavy as Helina. Helina, however has much better seekers. I guess, Spike has offered complete ToT including integration

This thread on LCH was started way back in 2009! Then the hope was for rapid development and induction with 2-3 years. Now, eight years later the platform is neither inducted nor the final armament configuration is ready. I think it will take another decade before 1st squadron is cleared for operations. The cost of $30 million per piece is excessive, most likely due to high imported content. Thank goodness, we haven't had any need for attack helicopters recently because waiting for DPSU to deliver is longer than waiting for rain in Sahara desert.

There was congress government. 5 years out of 10 was wasted by unnecessary delays. The delays became excessive after 2009 with very little progress on any front

 

[Prashant12]

Light combat helicopter trial at Pokhran


JAISALMER: Under 'Make In India', Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has made attacking Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The trial of its strike capabilities is going on at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force and HAL scientists are supervising the testing. During the trials, DRDO, Air Force and HAL officers and scientists are present who are checking the LCH on various parameters.
According to information from reliable sources this trial has been going on at the firing range for last one week under desert conditions. While the helicopter itself is being tested on different parameters, its firing capability is assessed from variable heights. Earlier similar trials were held at Siachen also.

The LCH had also participated in the IAF's Iron Fist 2016 exercise that was held in March 2016. Here it test-fired its weapons systems including missiles. Though the 5.5-ton helicopter is a multipurpose weapons platform, it is primarily an attack helicopter and can be used against enemy tanks, armoured personnel carriers, slow-moving aircraft, surface warships and even submarines.

The LCH can also be deployed in search and rescue missions and battlefield surveillance. It is different from combat version of ALH, Rudra, since Rudra can carry soldiers and has weapons in support role, LCH has a purely attack role with better manoeuverability, agility and armour and weapons. It has a better climb rate, is more stealthy and has better aerodynamics than Rudra and can function as a gunship.

Sources said HAL has custom-designed the 5.8 tonne LCH to provide fire support to the army at mountainous deployment areas on the northern borders, which can be as high as 6,000 metres (almost 20,000 feet). It has an operational ceiling limit of 6,000-6,500 meters (19,700-21,300 feet). At these rarefied altitudes, where the shortage of oxygen prevents troops from carrying heavy weapons into battle, the LCH will provide crucial fire support with its 20 millimetre turret gun, 70 millimetre rockets and, to be incorporated later, a guided missile.

Souce said LCH has demonstrated capability to land and take off from Siachen with considerable load, fuel and weapons that are beyond any other combat helicopter. The helicopter can carry out operational roles under extreme weather conditions at different altitudes from sea level, hot weather desert, cold weather and Himalayan altitudes.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ter-trial-at-pokhran/articleshow/62598297.cms

 

[Suryavanshi]

LCH in Phokram undergoing Trials

 

[indiatester]

LCH in Phokram undergoing Trials

Noob question. Is LCH going to be used simultaneous with other systems, or is it going to be used as a standalone system?
IMHO, the enemy tanks, artillery, APC's etc should be targeted by conventional means and LCH should be sent to finish off the job when they are busy defending against standard attack. They should not be given time to target LCH.

 

[nongaddarliberal]

LCH in Phokram undergoing Trials

Most people identify as an apache helicopter. But I identify as HAL LCH.

 

[Suryavanshi]

Is it true that we have Hellfire missiles?
@Adioz @NeXoft007

 

[Adioz]

Noob question. Is LCH going to be used simultaneous with other systems, or is it going to be used as a standalone system?
IMHO, the enemy tanks, artillery, APC's etc should be targeted by conventional means and LCH should be sent to finish off the job when they are busy defending against standard attack. They should not be given time to target LCH.

Noob's answer: Its a function of tactics and of the situation. In a net-centric force, whatever can be deployed will be deployed. LCH might be used to scout for enemy armour or might be tasked to hit critical targets like Enemy's armoured Command Post Vehicles. LCH might get attached to a squadron or two which have the responsibility of taking out a high priority target. Tactics are yet to be developed. Once the Army starts using these in the Army Aviation, things should become clearer.

Is it true that we have Hellfire missiles?
@Adioz @NeXoft007

Was supposed to be a part of Apache deal for Army. Not sure.

 

[Sancho]

Noob question. Is LCH going to be used simultaneous with other systems, or is it going to be used as a standalone system?
IMHO, the enemy tanks, artillery, APC's etc should be targeted by conventional means and LCH should be sent to finish off the job when they are busy defending against standard attack. They should not be given time to target LCH.

Maybe this helps:

Indian Army Set To Get Apache Combat Helicopters
Order to be Placed by September
By Lt Gen BS Pawar (Retd)
Published: June 2017

...Notably, the Army had demanded 39 Apache attack helicopters for its three Strike Corps in the plains...

...Nonetheless, the Army and IAF will not only both operate the formidable Apaches, they will also get the indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) being developed by HAL in numbers. IAF has already ordered 64 of these machines, made mostly from composite materials to facilitate their flights up to 5,000 meters, that is, mountainous terrains like the Kargil heights. As no country makes helicopters specifically for such heights and the rough corrosive Himalayan weather, HAL has been trying to do the needful and several development flights of the LCH have already taken place...

...Why Attack Helicopters for the Army

The primary mission of army aviation is to fight the land battle and support ground operations, operating in the TBA as a combined arms team expanding the ground commander’s battlefield in space and time.

Its battlefield leverage is achieved through a combination of reconnaissance, mobility and intense fire power. The combat helicopter’s greatest contribution to battlefield success is the ability it gives a Commander to apply decisive combat power at critical times virtually anywhere on the battlefield in the form of direct fire from aviation manoeuvre units (attack/armed helicopters) or insertion of overwhelming ground forces at the point of decision (utility/lift helicopters).

The assets required for the above manoeuvre, that is, the attack and assault helicopters must be at the beck and call of the field force commander and also piloted by men in olive green who fully understand the ground situation. This will ensure the optimum utilisation of the battle winning resource. This has been the basic rationale on which the army’s case for ownership of these assets rests.

Significantly, unlike the Air Force assets, the Army Aviation units and helicopters are located closer to their operational areas and along with the formations affiliated to, especially at the Corps level. During war, these units will require to operate from forward composite aviation bases, catering for security, maintenance, fueling and arming facilities. The employment philosophy dictates the need to develop organisations that enhance aviation capabilities to support the concept of operations of field commanders and be tailored to meet the evolving operational requirements; hence the concept of Aviation Brigade with each Corps and not bases as in the case of Air Force.

With the Indian Army’s Doctrine of ‘Cold Start’ or the ‘proactive strategy’ as the Government would like to call it, which is Pak-centric, restructuring has been done of the Pivot Corps to enable quick and immediate action within 48-72 hours by using the integral assets at the Corps level. This also calls for induction of combat and other helicopters within the Army itself...

http://www.indiastrategic.in/2017/06/08/indian-army-set-to-get-apache-combat-helicopters/

 

[Prashant12]

LCH Makes Maiden Flight with Indigenous AFCS. It is Designed & Developed for the First Time in the Country by HAL.

 

[Armand2REP]

Is it true that we have Hellfire missiles?
@Adioz @NeXoft007

You should be getting them for Apache.

 

[Narasimh]

LCH Makes Maiden Flight with Indigenous AFCS. It is Designed & Developed for the First Time in the Country by HAL.

What AFCS was it using before? All those tests in the Siachin happened with foreign AFCS?

 

[patriots]

it was td2...and flight was for20 mins

 

[PD_Solo]

Noob question. Is LCH going to be used simultaneous with other systems, or is it going to be used as a standalone system?
IMHO, the enemy tanks, artillery, APC's etc should be targeted by conventional means and LCH should be sent to finish off the job when they are busy defending against standard attack. They should not be given time to target LCH.

Watch this documentary to understand how attack helicopters work in modern warfare.


Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

 

[Chinmoy]

What AFCS was it using before? All those tests in the Siachin happened with foreign AFCS?

As far as I know, till date all its test flight were without AFCS.

 

[IBRIS]

Congratulations, our own flight control systems had flawless results.

on Wednesday claimed it carried out the 1st flight of Light Combat Helicopter (Tech Demonstrator-2) with its own designed and developed Automatic Flight Control System for the 1st time in India. The 20-min flight was flawless