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KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)

2023 MODERN AIRCRAFT FUTURE FLIGHT

History of KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Gunship (LAH)

KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) has been selected by the South Korean military to upgrade its inventory of aging McDonnell Douglas MD500 and Bell AH-1J/S Cobra light attack helicopters for a fee of locally produced helicopters , the 5-ton KAI for the new system has since partnered with the French company Airbus Helicopters to develop a solution called the "Light Armed Helicopter" (LAH) based on its H155 (formerly Eurocopter EC155). The LAH product will follow the light civil helicopter (LCH), also based on the H155 "Dove", which will enter the civilian market in 2020, while the LAH is expected to enter service in 2022 (since delayed to 2023).

Led by the Korea Defense Development Agency (ADD), with participation from the Defense Program Administration (DAPA).

KAI and Airbus Helicopters have combined their engineering talents to produce the new KAI KUH-1 medium lift "Surion" helicopter (powered by Samsung Techwin engines) for the South Korean Army and Navy. The product is based on the proven Eurocopter EC725 "Super Cougar" platform, which has continued to deliver hundreds of units since 2012.

The KUH-1 was selected to replace the general-purpose role of Bell's UH-1H medium series as well as the McDonnell Douglas MD500 light series helicopters.

The LAH is expected to retain the same basic form and function as the Dauphin, except for the addition of wing stumps on the lower sides of the fuselage, providing up to four cradles for carrying rocket and gun pods. A power chin tower is expected under the nose, and the engine is likely to be locally developed again.

Today (2015), the Dauphin of France enjoys considerable influence on the global stage, with around 60 operators and more than 1,000 helicopters in service. Its sleek design lines and Fenestron-protected tail rotor assembly are easily recognizable - the latter reduces the risk of debris entering the rotating blades and reduces operating noise, especially in civilian areas.

The main rotor will be a five-blade design mounted on a low-profile mast.

Specification

Basic

Year:

2023

Status:

Under development

Staff:

Production

[0 units]:

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Korea / Airbus Helicopters France

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Close Air Support (CAS)

- Traffic

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

Dimensions

Length:

46.92 ft (14.3 m)

Width:

39.37 ft (12 m)

Height:

14.27 ft (4.35 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

2,620 kg

MTOW:

10,847 lbs (4,920 kg)

(difference: +5,071 pt)

Performance

2 x Safran Helicopter Engines / Hanwha Techwin Arriel 2 turboshaft engines producing 1,650 hp, simultaneously powering the five-blade main rotor and fenestron ducted tail rotor units.