HAL LUH (Light Utility Helicopter)

History of HAL LUH (Light Utility Helicopter)

India's HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) is developing the "Light Utility Helicopter" (LUH) to meet the common service needs of its Army and Air Force for a light, multi-role utility platform. The first flight was recorded on September 6, 2016, the product is still in development, and an example has been completed.

Originally expected to air sometime in 2015, delays in the show have resulted in increasing delays to the project's goals.

The heart of the helicopter is a traditionally arranged rotorcraft with a single-engine unit above the roof of the cabin. There are two side-by-side seats in the cockpit. The cabin slept six more people.

Automotive-style doors provide access to the cockpit, and sliding doors allow entry and exit into the passenger compartment. Power comes from a HAL (Turbomeca, France) "Shakti" 1U turboshaft engine, providing 1,706 hp for a four-bladed main rotor above the fuselage and a four-bladed tail rotor offset to starboard.

The vertical stabilizer spans the tailstock along its midpoint, with a single vertical stabilizer located at the rear of the tailstock. The chassis is a fixed skid-mounted assembly, which reduces maintenance, simplifies production, and limits the initial cost per unit.

To date (2016), the Indian military has contracted a total of 384 LUH systems, of which 187 will be manufactured by HAL by 2018. Further production will come from elsewhere.

LUH is one of several indigenous Indian air carriers that have shown a desire to be more self-sufficient in military equipment. Considering India is one of the world's leading importers of such goods, the country has a responsibility to invest heavily in its own defence.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes