EXCLUSIVE: August 1st Flight For HAL’s Light Utility Copter

HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), under development to meet a requirement of at least 187 light reconnaissance and utility rotorcraft for the Indian Air Force and Indian Army is all set for its first flight in August. An internal target of July has been set for the sole current prototype at HAL’s Helicopter Division to lift off in July, though sources confirm that August is likely to be when it will happen. The LUH prototype (two more will be built for the flight test programme) has been in a routine of ground testing for weeks now. The LUH mock-up on display at Aero India this year is in Indian Army colours, and has been a source of interest for quite a few foreign delegations at the show this year. Quick news points:
  • The first LUH prototype will fly in August, officially kickstarting flight test.
  • HAL aims for final operational clearance in 2017, and begin deliveries to the Indian Army and IAF by the end of that year. 
  • The LUH sports a new jointed foldable rotor system (see photo), designed and built in-house
  • to meet the Indian Navy’s deck requirements. Significantly, the rotor will be made available on future Dhruv ALH constructions and re-offered to the Indian Navy.
  • For a proposed naval version, HAL says it will offer a wheeled version of the LUH.
  • The LUH cockpit is almost entirely an Indian glass cockpit, with components and systems sources completely from the Indian private sector, and mission computer software modified from the Dhruv’s.

6 thoughts on “EXCLUSIVE: August 1st Flight For HAL’s Light Utility Copter”

  1. Reading about

    "to meet the Indian Navy's deck requirements. Significantly, the rotor will be made available on future Dhruv ALH constructions and re-offered to the Indian Navy.

    For a proposed naval version, HAL says it will offer a wheeled version of the LUH."

    This means that all helicopters are totally indigenous now. Excellent work on the part of HAL. But we need the parts made in Bharat to increase, why is the indigenous content only 30%?

  2. Finally we have come of age in rotor craft design and manufacturing.Fully indigenous Indian Glass cockpit is a great turn over from Israeli built glass cockpit for Dhruv from Elbit systems.

    Hope IA and IAF recognizes the importance of LUH instead of banging for foreign lobbyists.

  3. I talked to one IOFB guys once he was scared with his change of design (a specific product), I tried to pursue him about design flaws & practical problems but he was scared !!

    You have to understand the EU consultant who gave them design might have put conditions with design change & royalty

    They are scared & forget about change of design …… they are in full control of EU/US (NATO) defense industry under superior agreements/ contracts

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