India’s LUH Makes International Show Debut

Our Bureau - : May 22, 2023 - : 4:49 pm

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India’s state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is displaying its indigenously developed 3-tonne class Light Utility Helicopter for the first time at Langkawi marking the international show debut for the type. A company official said HAL is exploring new market prospects for the military light helicopter, which offers unmatched high-altitude capability. The LUH will be on static display and will not take part in the flying display and is being displayed at LIMA as part of the ‘India Pavilion’ at the show.

The LUH made its maiden flight in September 2016 and HAL is slated to completed production of all 12 LSP helicopters by 2024. HAL is expected to receive orders from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) for at least 400 LUHs. The roll-out of the first Limited Series Production (LSP) example of the LUH, took place earlier this year in February. HAL will build a total of 12 LSP helicopters at its new helicopter factory in Tumakuru near Bangalore, India. The army and air force will receive six helicopters each to formally begin operations with the new light helicopter, later this year. The indigenously designed and developed three-ton class, single engine multipurpose utility helicopter features of high manoeuvrability. Initially, HAL’s factory will be able to produce around 30 helicopters per year and can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner, depending on the orderbook.

The LUH is slated to be formally inducted into the Indian armed forces, later this year and will enter service and will replace the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, still in service with the Indian armed forces. Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Over the course of its ‘Hot and High’ trials held in late 2020, the LUH took off from Leh and showcased its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) which is an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 5000 MAMSL. The LUH also cleared a comprehensive test plan at Leh (3300 MAMSL) in temperatures up to ISA+32 degree C. The LUH is powered by a single Safran Helicopter Engines Ardiden 1U turboshaft engine with dual channel FADEC and EACB. The Ardiden 1U was certified in 2020. In addition to its modern and powerful engine, the LUH is equipped with a modern glass cockpit which features a Smart Cockpit Display System and state-of-the-art Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). HAL’s Greenfield Helicopter Factory in Tumakuru is spread across 615 acres of land was built with a vision to become a one-stop solution for all Indian helicopter requirements. The factory is to initially produce LUHs, following which it will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and upcoming Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRH). Over the next two decades, HAL is eyeing the manufacture of over 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonne class. The new HAL factory will also be used for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH in the future. Potential exports of civil LUH will also be catered to from this factory.