HAL's Light Combat Helicopter successfully completes cold weather trials

Posted On
a
Aviation defence equipment technology - HAL Light Combat Helicopter
 
 
HAL's Light Combat Helicopter successfully completes cold weather trials
 
The cold weather trials of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) have been successfully completed at Air Force Station in Leh recently, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) said on Monday, March 2nd. "The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude", T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL said.
     
The cold weather trials of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) have been successfully completed at Air Force Station in Leh recently, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) said on Monday, March 2nd. "The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude", T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL said.
HAL's Light Combat Helicopter during cold weather trials at Indian Air Force Station, Leh
(Credit: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
     
Suvarna Raju said that the engine starts were "satisfactory" in the temperature of minus 18 degree Celsius at 4.1 km.

The flights were also carried out to assess high altitude performance and low speed handling.

The LCH prototype, TD2 was ferried from Bangalore to Leh and the flight trials were carried out involving pilots from Indian Air Force and Army.

"LCH Technology Demonstrator TD-3 made its maiden flight in November last year and the TD-4 is likely to fly soon. The IOC is expected in the later part of this year," the HAL chief said in a statement.

During recently concluded Aero India 2015, two LCHs -- one on static and another on flying display -- enthralled many.

LCH is of 5.5 ton class, powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter. 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, nuclear, and low visibility features which make the LCH lethal, agile and survivable. 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(LRF) / Laser Designator(LD).

The LCH is fitted with Self Protection Suite consisting of Radar/Laser Missile warning systems and Counter measures dispensing system. The first prototype helicopter had its inaugural flight in May 2010. The second and third prototype had their first flight in June 2011 and November 2014. The forth prototype is currently being built to speed up the trials for certification process.