HAL’s light utility helicopter (LUH) is certified for operations

By Ajai Shukla

Lucknow

Business Standard, 8th Feb 2020

In a major landmark for its indigenous helicopter programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was awarded “initial operational clearance” (IOC) on Friday for its newest helicopter – the eponymous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The LUH is a lightweight utility helicopter that HAL developed to replace the army’s and air force’s obsolescent fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. 

HAL was handed over the IOC at Defexpo 2020, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

This certification, issued by the Centre for Military Airworthiness (CEMILAC), brings the LUH much closer to being manufactured in large numbers.

In December 2018, the LUH passed an important landmark, flying to a height of 20,000 feet in the Ladakh sector. 

The three LUH prototypes have completed over 550 test flights, including under the most demanding terrain and climatic conditions.

This extreme performance is deemed essential for the LUH, which will be required to supply provisions to, and evacuate casualties from, posts like the 20,997 feet-high Sonam Post above the Siachen Glacier – the highest inhabited spot on the planet.

The LUH will be one of the two helicopters that will meet the army’s urgent need for 394 light helicopters. A joint venture between HAL and Russian Helicopters will build 197 Kamov-226T to meet the military’s urgent requirements. Separately, HAL will manufacture 187 LUH – which includes 126 for the army and 61 for the IAF.

For building the Kamov-226T in India, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government signed an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with Russia. This did away with the need for competitive tendering.

For building the LUH in larger numbers, HAL is looking beyond purely military orders at the civil and export markets as well. 

After the prototype’s rigorous flight-test programme, the public at Defexpo 2020 got a chance to view the LUH, which is participating in the flying display as well as the static display. 

Now, with the IOC recognising the performance of the LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions, HAL will now start integrating and flight testing the LUH’s mission and specialised role equipment, said Arup Chatterjee, HAL’s design chief.

The LUH is powered by a single Shakti engine, which HAL designed in partnership with French engine-maker Safran. Now built in India, the Shakti engine also powers three other HAL-built helicopters: the Dhruv, an armed Dhruv variant called Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which is close to being accepted into service.

While the larger, 5-tonne Dhruv, Rudra and LCH have twin-Shakti engines, the three-tonne LUH is powered by a single Shakti engine. Safran markets this engine as the Ardiden 1U, while HAL calls it the Shakti 1U.

HAL states the LUH will have a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour, a service ceiling of 6,500 metres and a range of 350 kilometres with a 400 kilogramme payload. The helicopter will perform the roles of reconnaissance and surveillance, high-altitude casualty evacuation and as a light transport helicopter.

[ENDS]

Deal Street: HAL signs multiple agreements

·      HAL signed a ‘Lease Agreement’ with Turbo Aviation Private Ltd (TAPL) for operating two Do-228 aircraft under the UDAN scheme. TAPL will operate two Do-228 aircraft manufactured by HAL. 

·      HAL also signed a contract with the Indian Coast Guard for midlife upgrades of 17 Coast Guard Dornier-228 aircraft manufactured by HAL Kanpur. 

·      HAL also signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur for providing Do-228 or HS 748 aircraft towards extending logistic support to the Institution’s projects in the field of ‘Cloud Seeding’. 

·      HAL and Rosoboronexport signed an MoU for export of spares and services to friendly countries for which license has been given to HAL.