Aviation Major HAL successfully conducted atechnical flight of indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) today.
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LUH follows HAL’s two other products – the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). It has range of 217.48 miles with a seating capacity of six passengers plus two pilots. Sources in HAL said the firm’s chief test pilot Wing Commander Unni Pillai and test pilot Anil Bhambhani were in the cockpit for the first flight. The helicopter is created to carry out utility roles such as reconnaissance, transport, cargo load and rescue operations. The helicopter can operate from sea level to high altitudes of Himalayas. So far, the armed forces have committed to order 200 LUH, to replace its ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.
This test flight marks an important step for HAL and the Indian Air Force, which will be eventually acquiring the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) derivative.
The helicopter will also have a weapon system and mission sensors, including nuclear, biological and chemical sensors, an electro-optical system, fixed sight, and a flare and chaff dispenser. The Army and Air Force together have committed to purchasing 187 LUHs.
So far, three LUH prototypes have been developed for testing.
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HAL plans to build the infrastructure for manufacturing the helicopter in phases, and the first helicopters are slated to be built in 2018.
