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HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter)

2019 MODERN AIRCRAFT X-PLANE

History

HAL LCH ("Light Combat Helicopter") is an Indian indigenous combat helicopter currently under development. It is reported that two prototypes have been developed and flight tests have been carried out. Initially, LCH will carry Indian Army Air Force and Indian Air Force stocks.

The first flight of the machine took place on March 29, 2010. The development of the LCH was carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (also known as "HAL").

The Indian LCH concept was launched in 2006 to provide an indigenous attack helicopter design to play a major role in the Indian Air Force and Indian Army. HAL already has extensive experience in the design, development and production of the "Dhruv" series of utility helicopters launched in 2002. As a result, this knowledge is widely used to build new desired attack platforms - known by the generic program name "LCH".

By the end of its development and evaluation cycle, the LCH should be comparable to modern attack mounts like the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra and Eurocopter Tiger.

The LCH design shows a slim look. The weapons specialist and pilot sit in a stepped tandem cockpit, with the gunner at the front and the pilot at the back. The cockpit offers excellent visibility from all angles and sports a few frames. Forward of the cockpit is a short nose that houses sensitive systems as well as a chin-mounted cannon.

The front of the hull has a thin profile. The engine nacelles are gracefully profiled in the mid-fuselage and drive a low-mounted four-blade main rotor pylon and a four-blade tail rotor driven by a shaft running in the tail. The tail rotor is set to face away from the starboard side of the aircraft. The tail is raised by design and requires a special rear landing gear leg to support the ground. The landing gear is composed of the rear landing gear and a pair of main landing gear legs on both sides of the front fuselage.

Each leg is heavily supported to withstand the rigors of daily operation and absorb full-blown impact landings. The landing gear remains fixed during flight because it is not retractable. The tail can also accommodate a vertical tail and horizontal plane.

There are two short wing stubs for mounting ammunition, external fuel storage and special equipment pods.

Power for the LCH airframe is provided by 2 HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft engines, each producing 1,400 shaft horsepower. This gives the LCH a top speed of 170 mph and a cruising speed of 160 mph. Range is said to be up to 342 miles, with a reported service ceiling of 21,300 feet according to the prototype.

The rate of climb is estimated at 2,362 feet per minute. All in all, the LCH should be a fast and flexible end product worthy of the modern battlefield. Regardless, it would be an important step forward for India's defense industry, which has relied on outside help for stockpiling for decades.

Like other emerging modern helicopter designs, the LCH is said to incorporate stealth capabilities (in the form of composite materials) that reduce its radar signature to enemy tracking systems. Its cockpit features state-of-the-art systems and features designed to reduce crew workload while increasing mission efficiency. The cockpit will be "all glass" and fully digital, with each cockpit position dominated by two multi-function displays (MFDs). Data sharing will be an integral part of its design, enabling real-time mission assessments and communications among other allies.

The helicopter will also integrate a FLIR system, television, and a laser rangefinder and laser targeting system, the latter of which does not require Allied infantry to "mark" targets. Since the role of the helicopter will be at low altitudes, strategic armouring of key systems and cockpits is appropriate.

Helmet mounted sights provide each pilot with mission-relevant information and aim the golden gun within their firing angle and elevation range. Defense is handled by a simple chaff and flare launcher and radar and laser warning receivers.

As a combat helicopter, the LCH will use the French-developed 20mm M621 cannon system as standard. The weapon will be housed in the French brand's Nexter THL-20 series powered turrets and will be operated by two crew members via helmets and overriding hand controls. The primary anti-tank weapon will be the Helina air-to-surface anti-tank missile. Additionally, the LCH is released for mission-specific homing missiles, eg. B. An anti-radiation type designed to destroy enemy radar installations.

Other ammunition packages include the installation of multiple rocket launcher pods, and even traditional drop bombs and cluster bombs. All outboard machine guns are mounted via four hardpoints below each wingtip assembly (two on one wing).

The LCH was expected to join the IAF sometime in 2012, but delays in the program ensured it would come later. The Indian Air Force has ordered 65 LCHs and the army will receive 114 of this type. Sri Lanka became the first foreign operator to order 20.

As of early 2015, the Indian Air Force has ordered 65 LCHs and the Indian Army Air Force has ordered 114.