HAL Prachand - Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

[Rahul Singh]

Video from Times Now.........

 

[pavanvenkatesh]

how effective is the armour of the LCH? can it take punishment from 20mm guns caouse if it is light then it must have compromised on armour and crew protection

 

[gogbot]

how effective is the armour of the LCH? can it take punishment from 20mm guns caouse if it is light then it must have compromised on armour and crew protection

Well its no, Mi-35

But it's not going to fall out of the sky so easily.

The armour should be in the same range as the cobra gunships

 

[plugwater]

Network Centric, Light Combat Helicopter with all weather operability impresses IAF and Army Aviation

8ak/PIB/HAL: HAL got compliments from all quarters today with the successful, official maiden flight of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in Bangalore today. With some good engineering and commonalities with the Advanced Light Helicopter platform, it took HAL just 40 months to develop the LCH project which started in 2006.

The 5.8 tonne LCH inherits many technical features of the ALH Dhruv which includes the hingless-rotor system, transmission, Shakti engines, hydraulics, IADS, weapons system and avionics. The features that are unique to LCH are sleek & narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, tandem cockpits, crash-worthy & self sealing fuel tanks, aero foil shaped stub wings for weapons, armour protection, NBC protection and low visibility features.

LCH is fitted with a 20mm turret gun which will be controlled by a helmet-mounted sighting system. Besides Air-to-Air missiles, it is believed that DRDO's Helina (NAG) anti-tank guided missile will also be integrated with this platform giving it significant air-to-ground attack capability.

The helicopter would have day/night targeting systems for the crew including the Helmet pointed sight and Electro-optical pod consisting of CCD camera/FLIR/laser range finder/laser designator. The LRF & LD facilitate measurement of range to the target & guidance to the Laser guided Missiles respectively. A Digital Video Recorder would enable recording of the vital mission for debriefing purposes.

The LCH is fitted with Self Protection Suite consisting of Radar/Laser Missile warning systems and Countermeasures dispensing system. It is also planned to integrate IR/Laser missile jammer on the helicopter.

The helicopter would be fitted with a Data Link for Network-centric operations facilitating transfer of the mission data to the other airborne platforms and ground stations operating in the network, thus facilitating force multiplication. It has a sophisticated mission system called the Target Acquistion and Designing System (TADS).

The machine is designed for low detection (visual, aural, radar & infra-red) and includes armour protection of critical areas. A 30 minute dry running capability of the gear box is a built in feature to survive after a ballistic hit to the transmission system. Crash-worthiness features are built into the wheel landing gear & structure. Dual redundant systems also enhance the effectiveness of the helicopter in the battlefield environment.

HAL claims that the performance features of the LCH i.e. rate of climb, cruise speed, service ceiling are on par, if not better than other helicopter in its class like A129/Tiger and with bigger dedicated combat helicopters like Apache, Kamov 30 or Mi-35.

The development team included members of HAL, Indian Air Force, the certification authorities CEMILAC, DGAQA and the various suppliers of the onboard systems. LCH prototype development was based on the concept of design, ground testing and fabrication concurrently. The design & manufacturing was carried-out using the state-of-art C.A.D/C.A.M facilities which obviated the requirement of an interface check rig. The ground testing included wind-tunnel testing, landing gear drop tests, and shake test. A mock up was also built for evaluation by the Indian Air Force.

Besides the Indian Air Force, the helicopter has also impressed the Army Aviation Corp who could use it in a surveillance role as they await the Light Observation Helicopter which will be a single engine version for high altitudes. Operational clearance is expected in 2012 with EcoTimes reporting that induction will begin in 2014.

Meanwhile, DNA reported on May 12 that the procurement of 197 reconnaissance & surveillance helicopters meant for Army Aviation may be cancelled.

Separately, speaking to ANI, HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said that HAL is also working on the Lakshya Mark II UAV.

http://www.8ak.in/8ak_india_defence...ith-network-centric-warfare-capabilities.html

 

[bhramos]

but can the LCH take Troops in Difficult situation like this, well i am reposting these pics

Some of pics of Soldiers carring on wings.

Apache in Iraq.

A-129

 

[avis]

well the whole thing has been derived from dhruv.Basically as we know that its primary role will be attack therefore i think that the armour or the skin may have been hardened enough to take the beating of all short arms available as well as 20 mm guns.

 

[Patriot]

http://idrw.org/?p=1774

Army will get Tank Busters in LCH
May 24

BY: IDRW NEWS NETWORK

Successful Roll out and the first "Official Test flight" of India's Light combat Aircraft (LCH) happened on a Sunday morning of 23rd May, Indian Air force which already operates Mi-35 "Hind "for over two decade now will also be inducting some new Attack Helicopter to replace them soon for which Tender to leading manufactures have already been send, IAF has already ordered 65 of LCH, but big orders are expected from Indian Army.

Indian Army till date has not operated any Combat Helicopters in its long history but have worked with Air forces Mi-35 "Hind "in operations in Srilanka and in UN missions, Retired Army officer Prasad chawan told idrw.org "We were impressed by the Hind in various operations it was involved and we all ways wanted some in our fleet", he also added "Army had asked for induction or purchases of this attack choppers for Army aviation but Air force could object to our proposal".

But local development of LCH will mean that Army aviation will also have them, Army is excited about the recent development and Army orders for LCH will be more than double of what air force has put, Chawan explained "Mostly Attack helicopters are operated by Army aviation to provide cover fire for troops landing over enemy territory, air support and also has a Tank buster for moving field regiments" he also pointed out that Cobra Gunship in Pakistan is operated by Pakistani Army.

 

[Patriot]

http://idrw.org/?p=1772

LCH marks a new era in Indian combat avionics
BY: ANI

The successful test flight of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) on Sunday will would go down in the history of Indian combat avionics as a new era in indigenous development of dedicated fighter helicopters in the country.

The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has been developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The inaugural test flight of the LCH, which is yet to be christened, has made India enter the elite club of countries in the world which have the capability of designing, developing and manufacturing state of the art advanced combat helicopters.

The successful test flight was conducted at the HAL's airport here, which was witnessed by a number of distinguished guests, and a huge number of people.

Defence Minister A K Antony, his deputy Pallam Raju and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik were to attend the function, but they cancelled their visit after Saturday's air disaster at Mangalore.

Secretary Defence Production R K Singh, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall P K Barbora, Chairman HAL Ashok Nayak besides many other dignitaries were present on the historic public flight of the LCH.

Describing the LCH as the "Tiger Bird", Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall P K Barbora said: " It's a red letter day not only for the HAL but the whole nation. In avionics, the circus must go on," he said while referring about Saturday's tragic incident in Mangalore."

"It is an unveiling of an asset for which the Indian Air Force was desperately looking for. The display was superb. I congratulate the whole HAL team, especially the rotary wing design team," Air Marshall Barbora said.

He said the LCH has some unmatched combat and stealth features. "This is no mean achievement. There are very few countries that have the capability to build this (LCH) kind of aircraft. I am quite hopeful that the LCH would be ready for induction in the Indian Air Force in coming two to three years," Air Marshall Barbora added.

The LCH, which weighs 5.8 tonnes, has strike the enemy target moving at a maximum speed of 268 kilometers per hour.

The "Tiger Bird" has been fitted with a 20 mm Turret gun right in the nose, which not only gives it a stunning "fighter" look but also enhances the capability to destroy target with utmost precision.

Due to its narrow fuselage with flat panels and tandem seating arrangement, in which the pilot and the co-pilot sit behind one another, the LCH is one of most compact fighter helicopter at present.

The glass cockpit, night operation capabilities, along with highly sophisticated mission systems such as the Target Acquistion and Designing System (TADS), Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS) and the Infrared (IR) Supressor are only a few out of numerous advance systems fitted in the LCH.

Apart from basic combat roles, the LCH qualifies for several other tasks as well such as the offensive employment in Urban Warfare, Counter Surface Operations (CSFO) and Counter Insurgency operations. By Shashank Shantanu

 

[Patriot]

Hi folks, This is a very proud moment for all of us to have our own state of art combat platform. My heartly CONGRATULATIONS to HAL Team & Leadership. This is just a start & now our fundamnetals has been established. From now on it will not take much time to bring new combat machines.

 

[bhramos]

I am also proud of HAL/DRDO with atleast 60-80% percent is home made product.
its the first step towards getting 100% of home made product.
it will definatly join the best league, but not be compared to the best helli's around world.

 

[Yatharth Singh]

LCH video from NEWS X

 

[avis]

give it time and money it will join the elite league for surely.comparisons are not OK at this stage how can you compare an infant with an adult ? no logic in it.

 

[AJSINGH]

the helicopter is not finished yet ,so we can expect more technology ,better engine and better avionics

 

[Armand2REP]

the helicopter is not finished yet ,so we can expect more technology ,better engine and better avionics

The engines are Shakti.. aka Ardiden 1H. India bought the licensed manufacture for them so I doubt they will seek a better engine anytime soon. Avionics are developed by IAI so it will get what the Israelis have planned.

 

[pavanvenkatesh]

The engines are Shakti.. aka Ardiden

I thought the engine was turbomecca i is ardiden same company or different?

Avionics are developed by IAI

I heard that the avionics are indegineous any links to prove otherwise ? i am just asking

 

[Armand2REP]

I thought the engine was turbomecca i is ardiden same company or different?

Ardiden 1H is made by Turbomeca, that is the official designation for it outside of India.

I heard that the avionics are indegineous any links to prove otherwise ? i am just asking

its manufacturer has worked with Israeli companies to develop its avionics equipment, which includes helmet-mounted targeting systems.

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...ia-delays-lch-first-flight-to-march-2009.html

 

[Anshu Attri]

MoD wants LCH induction within 2 years; Wg Cdr Unni Pillai terms it as the best machine he ever flew; IAF says 'we want her desparately', HAL says we shall deliver on time

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/05/mod-wants-lch-induction-within-2-years.html

The official first flight of India's Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) went ahead as planned at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) airport in Bengaluru on May 23. Though the event was a low-key affair - as a mark of respect to those killed in the Air India Express crash at Mangalore - and India's Defense Minister, A.K. Antony, his deputy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief all skipped the event owing to the airliner tragedy.
HAL's Chief Test Pilot Unni Pillai, who flew the chopper, told AVIATION WEEK soon after the touchdown that it was the best rotor platform he had ever flown. "The platform is stable and extremely comfortable. Its handling qualities can be a delight to any pilot. This machine is going to be the best in its class for high-altitude operations," he said. LCH had close to 20 informal flights prior to Sunday's flight.

 

[sayareakd]

i will love to see this hunter in IAF and IA wings.............. GOI should fast track this project...... by putting in more money and giving in cash and other benefit to the developers and designers.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Saya: IOC is expected by dec 2011 and i think FOC will follow in one year after that. So, i believe IAF will have at least a squadron of LCH in active service by 2014.

 

[SATISH]

I want the weaponized version of this Bad Bird soon. Hope everything is intergrated as soon as possible.