Countdown To First Flight Of India’s Light Combat Helicopter


The stage is set for the first prototype (LCH TD-1) flight of the Indian Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), scheduled to take place next month. The TD-1 will be an unweaponised platform, and the test-flight schedule for this prototype will only be towards validating principle airframe, aerodynamics, maneoverability and airworthiness parameters. Weapons integration tests will only take place with the second prototype, TD-2, that is scheduled for a first flight sometime later in 2010. Updates on the LCH follow.

Helicopter PhotoArt ©Shiv Aroor

22 thoughts on “Countdown To First Flight Of India’s Light Combat Helicopter”

  1. I think when the LCH does roll out, unnecessary comparisons to existing systems should be avoided.

    It just needs to do its job well.

    That is:

    1. It Should be able to fire anti-tank missiles while staying out of range of short range, shoulder fired napaki missiles.

    2. If it is within range of such missiles it should be able to take sufficient counter measures to escape them.

    Also, will the LCH have any electronic counter measure systems on it?

    – Dhanyawaad Shiv Aroor ji, I will be waiting for more info. with aankhen phad phad ke lol

  2. Great work and impressive design..would be good if its backed by an equally impressive engine and not underpowered as has been case with most indigenous efforts (HF 24 Marut, Arjun , ALH etc)..
    Also is HAL working on or planning more advanced variants similar to Apache Longbow with a radome on top which allows the chooper to engage land/air targets even when they are not in direct line of sight.. with sand dunes of rajasthan and mountains up north this can be a crucial feature to make the diffrence ..

  3. Always take precaution and don't hurry with the flight test. Do everything perfectly and don't repeat the mistake of the Rustom guys. For them they can get back fast and get everything right but for LCH it will result in delays if anything wrong happens. So atmost care need to be taken in testing. All the best to HAL team.

  4. Shiv,
    This is good news. I hope the weight issues are resolved soon and the IAF has a penchant for shifting the goalpost. Knowing that this time around HAL should get the specification on paper and give them timebound deadlines and take a firm commitment.

    Looks good to look at. Now the big thing is integration of HMS with the cannon and off course HELINA. I wish the nation all the best and congratulate HAL for the baby step they have taken.

  5. @Anon 12:50 PM

    He's getting married man! Poor guy.

    Shiv, also post an HT style 'in depth' report about your marriage with exclusive pics and videos!

  6. I predict another disaster. The Indian industry seems obsessed with getting the showy things up without doing the necessary groundwork or cooperating with others. For example, who thought that you don't figure out the control systems first before you fling a Rustom into the sky?

    Furthermore, always, it is the glamor systems – the jets, the UAVs, the attack helicopters that get the attention, while the ground troops still walk around with birch bark stretchers and people jump out of planes with scooter helmets and your generals are effectively blind if someone jams your primitive comms.

  7. well even the Chinese were able to jam US satellites many a time. India has a very large force and by far one of the deadliest in the world and most of the time they dont have hi-tech equipment but all that will change. Errors happen and the most important thing is that we learn from our mistake slowly but surely. The fact that Dhruv has proven itself to be among the best in its class, shows that we are very much capable of achieving significant leaps given the motivation and funding. LCH will be a resounding success. Till Helina missile is tested, it will deploy the Lahat and Mistral missiles. Lahat has a range between 8 to 13 km depending on launch altitude and speed. Helina will supposedly have a range of 10km+. For now this is good enough, eventually they may induct missiles like Aim-9x or Asraam on it for longer range air to air kills. The mistral Air to air missile has a max range of 6km.

  8. Hi Shiv,
    will it be able to carry 16 missiles like hellfire 8 each on both sides?I hope 2 to 4 air-2-air or air-2-ground missiles are concealed like f-15S silent eagle.

  9. Hi shiv
    This is with reference to ur blog,iv been following it for a year now,excellent work,not a day goes when iv not followed it,each and every article is intresting to go through.I must say it's the best indian defence blog iv ever come across.all the best shiv,thanks for updating us on the latest.keep it up
    regards
    Siddharth Vinod

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