Page 14 - LIMA 2023 - DAY 1 | DAILY NEWS

INTERNATIONAL SHOW DEBUT FOR INDIA’S LUH

India’s state-owned airframer Hindustan and can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per 5000 MAMSL. The LUH also cleared a com-
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is displaying year in a phased manner, depending on the prehensive test plan at Leh (3300 MAMSL)
its indigenously developed 3-tonne class orderbook. in temperatures up to ISA+32 degree C.
Light Utility Helicopter for the first time at The LUH is powered by a single Safran
Langkawi marking the international show The LUH is slated to be formally inducted Helicopter Engines Ardiden 1U turboshaft
debut for the type. A company official said into the Indian armed forces, later this year engine with dual channel FADEC and EACB.
HAL is exploring new market prospects for and will enter service and will replace the The Ardiden 1U was certified in 2020. In
the military light helicopter, which offers Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, still in ser- addition to its modern and powerful engine,
unmatched high-altitude capability. The vice with the Indian armed forces. Over the the LUH is equipped with a modern glass
LUH will be on static display and will not course of its ‘Hot and High’ trials held in cockpit which features a Smart Cockpit
take part in the flying display and is being late 2020, the LUH took off from Leh and Display System and state-of-the-art Health
displayed at LIMA as part of the ‘India showcased its hot and high hover perfor- & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).
Pavilion’ at the show. mance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) which
is an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at
The LUH made its maiden flight in HAL’s Greenfield Helicopter Factory in
September 2016 and HAL is slated to com- Tumakuru is spread across 615 acres of
pleted production of all 12 LSP helicopters land was built with a vision to become a
by 2024. HAL is expected to receive orders one-stop solution for all Indian helicopter
from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force requirements. The factory is to initially
(IAF) for at least 400 LUHs. The roll-out of produce LUHs, following which it will be
the first Limited Series Production (LSP) augmented to produce other helicopters
example of the LUH, took place earlier this such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)
year in February. HAL will build a total of and upcoming Indian Multirole Helicopters
12 LSP helicopters at its new helicopter (IMRH). Over the next two decades, HAL
factory in Tumakuru near Bangalore, India. is eyeing the manufacture of over 1,000
The army and air force will receive six heli- helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonne class.
copters each to formally begin operations The new HAL factory will also be used for
with the new light helicopter, later this year.
The indigenously designed and developed Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of LCH,
three-ton class, single engine multipurpose LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
utility helicopter features high manoeu- and IMRH in the future. Potential exports
vrability. Initially, HAL’s factory will be able of civil LUH will also be catered to from
to produce around 30 helicopters per year this factory.
14 MAY-23-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS