“The Mi-35 couldn’t even cross the Banihal pass. We were handicapped and badly needed a chopper that can even launch assaults at high altitudes,” (Retd) Wing Commander Unni Pillai, the chief test pilot of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) reminisced.
Seventeen years after the war, India has an indigenous combat helicopter that can carry out operations even at the 19,600-feet high Siachen glacier. Designed and built by HAL, the Light Combat Helicopter is the only machine in the world that can carry out operations at such high altitudes.
“Last year we successfully landed this helicopter at Siachen glacier, the only combat helicopter to do that in the world.”
Unni Pillai, (Retd) Wing Commander and Chief Test Pilot, HAL
HAL claims that the LCH is designed to carry out dedicated combat roles such as Air Defence, anti-tank, scout and support combat search/rescue missions. It incorporates a number of stealth features such as reduced visual, aural, radar and infra-red signatures and crashworthy landing gear, armour protection for better survivability. The helicopter is powered by two Shakti engines. There are plans to produce LCH in large numbers to meet the operational requirements.
HAL LCH is derived from existing Dhruv helicopter and share many commonality with Dhruv. This is being termed as advantageous because the countries which operate HAL Dhruv can also use those same spares employed for Dhruv in LCH also.
The LCH designed to carry set of two Mistral Air to air missiles for Air operations to shoot down enemy helicopters Turbo prop special mission Transports and low flying UAV’s, otherwise it can carry LAHAT Anti Tank or Helina Anti Tank missiles for Anti armour and ground operations, also the LCH can use combination of all the above missiles and Rocket pods.. SAAB South Africa is providing the LCH’s electronic warfare suite.
LCH is equipped with electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems, including a chin-mounted, twin-barrel M621 20mm cannon on a Nexter THL-20 turret, 70mm rockets, MBDA air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-radiation missiles, and Helina anti-tank guided missiles. Explosive ordnance includes iron bombs, cluster bombs and grenade launchers.
Armed with a nose gun, rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, the LCH is a 5.8-tonne class chopper, heavily armoured and engineered for combat. The helicopter has a state-of-the-art cockpit with day/night targeting systems for the crew including the helmet pointed sight, with the help of which the pilot can aim just by looking at the target. The LCH is fitted with a self-protection suite consisting of radar/laser missile warning systems and counter measures dispensing system (CMDS).
Its design is Stealthier than Apache and Mi-28 and is superior to other modern attack chopper like Chinese ZW 19.
The capability of the airframe is well understood by the fact that HAL LCH ( 5800 kg ) maximum-take off weight is more than double of its empty weight ( 2250 kg ).
“The machine can carry weapons up to 1,000 kg. In addition, we have a nose gun which can carry up to 300 rounds of ammunition of different type, penetrating or high explosives,” added Pillai.
Compared to other Light combat Helicopter platforms like Chinese Z-19 and Eurocopter Tiger , the LCH is designed for Indian conditions, to conduct operations in High Altitudes like Leh and low altitudes like Thar, Rajastan also it can perform missions in Minus zero degree Ladakh’s to hot Thar conditions.
HAL LCH during “hot and high” trials in Ladakh made the world record when it flew at one of the worlds highest landing bases located in Siachen with a decent weapons payload. The attack helicopter scaled an altitude of 4.8 kms from sea level to one of the most remote, inhospitable environment known to human beings. With deployment of LCH in this region it will tilt the favour of any army to defeat their enemy in high altitude region especially AH-1 Cobra of Pakistan and Chinese Z-19 and Z-10 which can operate at such high altitudes.
Pillai said the first limited series of 10 helicopters will be available to the Indian Air Force in the next four months.
The first prototype helicopter had its inaugural flight on March 23, 2010.
Commenting on the Make in India initiative, he asserted that the requirements of the Indian Air Force can only be met by aircraft manufactured locally.
“We have a particular operating environment and we are the best people to make as per our requirement. American machines don’t have a requirement to operate above 10,000-12,000 feet. Hence to enhance our operation capabilities, it is important we make in our country.”
(Retd) Wing Commander, Unni Pillai, Chief Test Pilot, HAL
The Indian Army’s Army Aviation Corps (AAC) has expressed its intention of acquiring 114 helicopters and the IAF 65. However, no contract has been signed so far. “It has to turn into a contract between the Services and HAL,” according to Raju. The AAC helicopter fleet is only at 70 percent of its authorized strengths, according to the Indian Ministry of Defense. LCH is envisioned to fill that requirement. The LCH is now in an in an advanced stage of induction.
According to media sources India is in talks with “certain” countries in Africa for possible export of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter even as the Indian Defence Ministry has set a target of $2 billion worth of exports over the next two years. “We are in talks with certain countries in Africa who have evinced interest in the LCH. With great value for money, the helicopter is an attractive buy for many countries,” a senior defence official said.
Source:- Bloomberg Quint
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