HAL Light Combat Helicopter

Light Combat Helicopter
A Light Combat Helicopter with a desert digital camo scheme.
Role Attack helicopter
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
First flight 29 March 2010
Status In production
Primary users Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Produced 2010 (prototypes)
2017–present (Limited Series Production)[1]
Number built 4[2]
Program cost ₹376 crore (US$52 million)[3]
Unit cost
US$20.2 million[4]
Developed from HAL Dhruv

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is an Indian multirole combat helicopter developed and manufactured by Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It has been ordered for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. The type is also intended to be sold upon the export market, since 2015, HAL has been seeking other customers for the LCH.

The impetus for the development of the LCH came in the form of the Kargil War, a conflict fought between India and neighbouring Pakistan in 1999, which revealed the Indian armed forces to lack a suitable armed rotorcraft capable of operating unrestricted in the high-altitude theatre. Accordingly, both HAL and the Indian armed forces commenced explorative efforts towards the defining of a conceptual combat helicopter to perform in this role. During 2006, the company announced that it had launched a development programme to produce such a rotorcraft, referred to simply as the Light Combat Helicopter. Originally, the LCH was anticipated to attain initial operating capability (IOC) by December 2010, however, development of the type was protracted and subject to several delays, some of which having been attributed to suppliers.

The LCH drew extensively on an earlier indigenous helicopter developed and manufactured by HAL, the Dhruv; using this rotorcraft as a starting point has been attributed as significantly reducing the cost of the programme. On 29 March 2010, the first LCH prototype performed its maiden flight. An extensive test programme, involving a total of four prototypes, was conducted During the course of these tests, the LCH gained the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen, having repeatedly landed at several high altitude helipads, some of which being as high as 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet. During mid 2016, the LCH was recognised as having completed its performance trials, paving way for the certification of its basic configuration. On 26 August 2017, full-rate production of the LCH was formally inaugurated.

Development

Origins

During the late 1990s, India and neighbouring nation Pakistan engaged in a brief but intensely-fought conflict commonly known as the Kargil War. This war, in which various elements of the Indian military were deployed, revealed operational shortcomings and areas for improvement, particularly the requirement for an attack helicopter that would be suitable for use within the high altitude climates in which some combat operations were fought along the north-western border region.[5][6] Accordingly, there was considerable interest in not only the acquisition of a suitable contemporary rotorcraft for the task (as well as to replace several aging types in Indian military service, such as the Cheetah and Chetak), but for such an aircraft to be domestically developed and manufactured in India as well.

During early 2004, Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) declared that the company was in the midst of discussions with the Indian armed forces on the prospects for a potential light combat helicopter derivative of the company's existing Dhruv utility helicopter platform for the requirement.[7] During late 2004, the Indian armed forces decided to curtail plans to order foreign-built attack helicopters in anticipation of a decision to formally select the tentative LCH.[8] During 2006, HAL publicly announced that it had embarked upon the development of such an attack helicopter, which it referred to as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).[5] During late 2006, the Indian government decided to aid the fledgling programme via the issuing of external finance to support the design phase of the LCH's development, this was done as to aid the attack helicopter in conforming with the established requirements of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.

The LCH is a derivative of the HAL Dhruv, which had been developed during the 1990s and inducted into the Indian Armed Forces during the 2000s. Basing the LCH on an existing helicopter is expected to greatly reduce the associated costs of the programme, which was estimated to be roughly ₹376 crore (US$52.4 million) in 2010.[9] By 2010, the Indian Air Force was reportedly set to acquire 65 LCHs while the Indian Army was to also procure 114 LCHs for its own purposes.[10]

Development of the LCH did not progress to schedule. On 21 June 2007, HAL chairman Ashok Baweja announced that and stated that the first prototype LCH was to conduct its maiden flight during October 2008, and stated that the company was currently "halfway through the design stage".[11] During November 2008, the company declared that, while the first flight had been postponed until March 2009, it was still working to secure initial operating capability (IOC) for the LCH by December 2010, while it was still anticipated that the type would receive its Final Operational Clearance (FOC) during 2011.[12][13] During February 2009, Baweja announced another six-month delay to the development timetable, he also attributed some of the setbacks in the programme as having been a result of HAL's suppliers failing to deliver necessary tooling on time.[14]

Testing

During late January 2010, Nayak stated that the LCH had successfully completed initial ground tests and was now ready to fly; the first flight was anticipated to occur during February.[15] On 4 February 2010, the first LCH prototype completed its first powered ground run.[16][17] On 29 March 2010, the maiden flight of the LCH was conducted by the type's first LCH Technology Demonstrator (TD-1). It flew a 20-minute flight from HAL's Helicopter Complex at Bengaluru, during which the rotorcraft carried out low speed, low altitude checks on the systems on board. Following the completion of the flight, the crew reported that the performance of the helicopter and systems were satisfactory.[18][19]

LCH TD1

On 23 May 2010, following the successful completion of the third test flight of the LCH prototype; it was deemed to have fulfilled the desired parameters and thus enabled further armed tests to proceed. The second LCH prototype (TD-2) differed considerably from its predecessor, being fitted with armaments and featuring a substantial reduction in weight; it was publicly unveiled at Aero India 2011 during February 2011. Speaking at the event, Nayak stated that the programme had exceeded human and payload requirements mandated by IAF for the development.[20][21] On 28 June 2011, TD-2 performed its first flight, allowing it to join the test programme.[22]

On 1 July 2012, the LCH began a series of trials near Chennai; among other elements, the onboard air speed measurement system was evaluated and various component stresses were measured.[23] Between late June and early July 2012, the second prototype, TD-2, was involved in a series of sea level trials. These trials covered flight performance, the measurement of loads, and the rotorcraft's handling qualities.[24]

During mid-2012, the third LCH prototype, which was claimed to be significantly lighter than either of its predecessors as well as incorporating various other improvements, was reportedly set to be delivered.[23] The third prototype, TD-3, ultimately performed its maiden flight on 12 November 2014. The flight, piloted by Wg Cdr Unni Pillai and co-piloted by Gp Capt SHK Nair, lasted for a total of 20 minutes.[25] Both TD3 and TD4 were extensively used during the test programme for the purpose of testing the rotorcraft's mission sensors and weapon systems, which involved a series of live-firing trials. Reportedly, a total of ₹ 126 crore (US$20.2 million) had been sanctioned for the development and structural build of the fourth prototype.[26]

HAL LCH during Aero India 2017

During early 2015, a number of cold weather trials involving the third prototype (TD-3) were carried out at Air Force Station Leh. During these tests, engine start-up tests (performed using internal batteries after lengthy overnight exposure to the cold climate without special protective measures being applied) proved satisfactory at the temperatures as low as −18 °C at an altitude of 4.1 km. Several flights were also carried out to assess the rotorcraft's high altitude performance and low speed handling.[27] During the course of these tests, the LCH gained the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen, having repeatedly landed at several high altitude helipads, some of which being as high as 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet.[28][29]

During June 2015, the LCH successfully completed hot weather flight trials at Jodhpur, during which the type was exposed to temperatures ranging from 39 to 42 °C. The flight testing reportedly covered 'temperature survey of engine bay and hydraulic system', 'assessment of performance', 'handling qualities and loads' at different 'all up weights', 'low speed handling' and 'height-velocity diagram establishment'.[30]

On 1 December 2015, LCH TD4 completed its first flight. By March 2016, the LCH had reportedly completed basic performance flight testing and outstation trials, including a number of live-fire tests involving prototype TD-3 firing 70 mm rockets in its weaponized configuration.[31] By mid-2016, certification firing trials had commenced, these included tests of the integration of its mission sensors, such as the electro-optical system, helmet pointing system, and pf the various armaments – air-to-air missiles, turret gun and rockets – that the type can deploy.[32]

During mid 2016, the LCH was recognised as having completed its performance trials, paving way for the certification of its basic configuration; a letter confirming this status was hand-delivered to HAL by CEMILAC in the presence of the Indian Defence Minister on 16 October 2015.[33] On 26 August 2017, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley formally inaugurated full-scale production of the LCH.[5][34]

On 31 January 2018, LCH TD2 was flown with an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) designed by HAL. The new system is expected to replace the previously imported Automatic Flight Control System.[35] HAL representatives mentioned that radar will be installed also.[36]

Design

Overview

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is an multirole combat helicopter, designed to perform various attack profiles, including relatively high altitude flight.[37] Equipped with a two-person tandem cockpit to accommodate a pilot and co-pilot/gunner, it has been developed to perform both the anti-infantry and anti-armour missions.[38] In addition to these roles, the LCH is intended to be used for a variety of operational purposes, such as to perform air defence against slow-moving aerial targets, including both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), participation in counter-insurgency operations (COIN) and Counter Surface Force Operations (CSFO),[39] the destruction of enemy air defence operations and wider offensive use during urban warfare conditions, escort to special heliborne operations (SHBO), support of combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations, and armed aerial scouting duties.[40]

LCH TD2

In terms of its basic configuration, the LCH possesses a relatively narrow fuselage and is equipped with stealth profiling, armour protection, and is equipped to conduct day-and-night combat operations. According to reports, the protective measures included in the rotorcraft includes a digital camouflage system, an infrared (IR) suppressor fitted to the engine exhaust, and an exterior covered by canted flat panels to minimise its radar cross-section (RCS).[38][41] It is furnished with an integrated dynamic system, including a hingeless main rotor and bearing-less tail rotor, which works in conjunction with an anti-resonance isolation system to dampen vibrations.[38] During Aero India 2011, HAL's Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre informed the press that the LCH is "probably the most agile design in the world because of its rotor".[42]

The LCH had inherited many of its technical features from one of HAL's earlier indigenous rotorcraft, commonly known as the HAL Dhruv. Shared elements between the two helicopters include the powerplant used, both being powered by a pair of HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft engines, albeit fitted with infrared suppressors. The features that are unique to the rotorcraft includes its narrow fuselage, a crashworthy tricycle landing gear arrangement, crashworthy self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, and a low visibility profile; these design elements have been attributed as having resulted in a relatively lethal, agile and survivable rotorcraft.[43] Atypically for a combat helicopter, it shall also be capable of high-altitude warfare (HAW), possessing an in-service operational ceiling of 6,000–6,500 metres (19,700–21,300 ft).[42]

Avionics and armaments

Head-on view of the LCH. Note the underwing rocket pods carried upon its stub-wings

The LCH is furnished with a glass cockpit which accommodates an Integrated Avionics and Display System (IADS) which used an array of multifunction displays in conjunction with the onboard target acquisition and designation (TADS) system.[38] A prominent element of the TADS system is the helmet mounted sight (HMS), which serves as the principal instrument for targeting and triggering the rotorcraft's armaments. The LCH is protected via an extensive electronic warfare suite which is provided by the South African division of Saab Group; this suite comprises various defensive elements to guard against several different threats, these include a radar warning receiver (RWR), laser warning receiver (LWR) and a missile approach warning (MAW) system.[5]

The LCH is equipped with an integrated data link, which enables the type to participate in network-centric operations by facilitating the transfer of mission data to other platforms, comprising both airborne and ground-based elements. This networking capable is said to facilitate operational cooperation and force multiplication practices.[5][39] The onboard sensor suite, which had been developed by HAL in cooperation with Israel, consists of a CCD camera, a forward looking infrared (FLIR) imaging sensor, a laser rangefinder and a laser designator to facilitate target acquisition under all-weather conditions, including under nighttime conditions.

During 2006, it was announced that HAL had selected the M621 cannon to serve as the gun armament of the helicopter. The M621 cannon is incorporated in a Nexter-built THL 20 turret and integrated into a helmet-mounted sight.[44] Various missiles can also be equipped upon the LCH; these include a maximum of four 70 mm anti-tank guided missiles – options are to include both foreign and Indian-built missiles, the latter in the form of the Helina anti-tank missile. In terms of air-to-air missiles, the LCH shall be capable of being armed with the MBDA Mistral 2 missile.[5] Payloads of rockets are also available offensive options for attacking targets with.[38]

Operational history

During November 2016, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) authorised the purchase of an initial batch of 16 LCHs for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army Air Corps (AAC), referred to as being a limited series production order.[5][45] By mid-2017, the AAC had placed combined orders for 114 LCHs, while the IAF had a total of 65 LCHs on order. During early 2017, it was reported that the LCH's initial operating capability (IOC) with the Indian armed forces was expected to occur by 2018.[46] The AAC intended to deploy the indigenous LCH alongside the American-built Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.[47]

Achieving export sales for the LCH has been a stated priority of both HAL and the Indian government. During mid-2016, a spokesperson for the Indian Defence Ministry stated the ministry was in the progress of holding discussions with several unidentified African nations on the topic of the LCH.[48][49]

Operators

 India

Specifications

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft,[50] HAL India[38]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 Shukla, Ajai (27 August 2017). "Arun Jaitley inaugurates manufacture of light combat helicopter at HAL". Business Standard.
  2. ↑ "HAL's LCH passes rocket trials; will participate in 'Iron Fist' exercise". ECONOMICTIMES.COM. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "India`s combat chopper takes to skies". india.com. 23 May 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "India flies high: Army and Air Force now possess world's best light combat helicopter: Did you know?". intoday.in. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gady, Franz-Stefan. "India Kicks Off Production of Light Combat Helicopter." Archived 6 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. The Diplomat, 1 September 2017.
  6. ↑ McKenna, James T. "India OKs Light Combat Helicopter Production." Archived 2 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Rotor&Wing, 28 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "Indian dawn." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 8 February 2004.
  8. ↑ "Indian army slashes multi-role helicopter requirement." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 23 November 2004.
  9. ↑ "Indigenous combat chopper takes to skies". Zeenews.com. 23 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011. Light Combat Helicopter
  11. ↑ Govindasamy, Siva. "HAL targets LCH first flight in Oct 2008." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 21 June 2007.
  12. ↑ Govindasamy, Siva. "India delays LCH first flight to March 2009." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 24 November 2008.
  13. ↑ "Indigenous attack chopper to fly in March". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  14. ↑ Govindasamy, Siva. "AERO INDIA: Light Combat Helicopter hit by six-month delay." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 13 February 2009.
  15. ↑ Rao, Radhakrishna. "HAL's delayed light combat helicopter to fly in February." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 29 January 2010.
  16. ↑ "Indigenous attack copter ready for first flight – India – DNA". Dnaindia.com. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  17. ↑ HAL to flight test LCH prototype next month Archived 1 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ "India's attack helicopter takes first flight – Rediff.com News". News.rediff.com. 31 March 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  19. ↑ "India's Light Combat copter makes first flight". Business-standard.com. 31 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  20. ↑ "India flies second high altitude Light Combat Helicopter prototype". The Times of India. n.d. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "..:: India Strategic ::.. India flies second LCH". Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Indian Light Combat Helicopter TD-2 successfully tested by HAL". Defence Aviation. 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  23. 1 2 "LCH Undergoes Sea Level Trials". Defence News. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  25. ↑ "LCH TD3 makes a maiden flight". defencenews.in. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "rotor plus: hal funded lch fnded td-3 undergoes first flight successfully". oneindia.com. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "HAL's Light Combat Helicopter undergoes cold weather trials". The Economic Times. 2 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  28. ↑ Urs, Ani l (3 September 2015). "HAL completes hot, high altitude trials of LCH at Leh". thehindubusinessline.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  29. ↑ "LCH becomes first attack helicopter to land at Siachen". oneindia.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  30. ↑ "Light Combat Helicopter completes hot weather flight trials". Times of India. 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "HAL's LCH passes rocket trials; will participate in 'Iron Fist' exercise". The Economic Times. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  32. ↑ "india-conduct-lch-weapons-trials". Defense News. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  33. ↑ Jain, Smriti. "HAL's Light Combat Helicopter catches eyes of African countries: 5 special facts about the made-in-India LCH". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "Arun Jaitley inaugurates manufacture of light combat helicopter at HAL." Archived 27 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine.. Business Standard.
  35. ↑ Kumar, Chethan (31 January 2018). "Light combat helicopter flies with desi auto control systems, claims HAL". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  36. ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/light-combat-helicopter-gets-cheaper-with-crucial-indigenous-afcs-118013101673_1.html
  37. ↑ "India's Light Combat Helicopter". Brahmand News. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "LCH". HAL India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Indigenous combat copter takes to skies". The Times of India - Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  40. ↑ "LCH". bharat-rakshak. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  41. ↑ "Indian Light Combat Helicopter TD-2 successfully tested by HAL". Defence Aviation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  42. 1 2 "Aero India: HAL showcases new helicopter designs". SHEPHARD. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  43. ↑ "HAL's Light Combat Helicopter undergoes cold weather trials". The Economic Times. 2 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  44. ↑ "Missile Mirage", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 1 January 2007.
  45. ↑ Waldron, Greg. "HAL commences LCH production." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International, 29 August 2017.
  46. ↑ "LCH inching closer to IOC; first LSP chopper by 2018". mathrubhumi.com. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  47. ↑ Kumar, Avinash. "Dusk and Dawn of the Indian Attack Helicopters." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Business Insider, 20 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "LCH for African countries". Economic Times. 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  49. ↑ Bhat, Aditya. "HAL's Light Combat Helicopter advancing towards Initial Operational Clearance." Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. International Business Times, 13 February 2017.
  50. ↑ Jackson, Paul; Peacock, Lindsay; Bushell, Susan; Willis, David; Winchester, Jim, eds. (2016–2017). "India". IHS Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production. Couldson. p. 309. ISBN 978-0710631770.
  51. 1 2 3 Hardy, James; Bedi, Rahul (23 February 2015). "Aero India 2015: Third LCH prototype breaks cover with new paintjob". Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 5 December 2017.

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