HAL to add more prototypes to LCH

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is building more prototypes of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to speed up the flight evaluation process of the country’s first indigenous developed chopper.

These prototypes are in addition to the Technology Demonstrator (TD-1) which is currently being flight tested in Bangalore.
Speaking to DNA, P Soundara Rajan, director (corporate planning and management), HAL, said: “Two more prototypes are being built to speed up the process of flight evaluation and the second Technology Demonstrator (TD-2) is expected to enter flight phase in May.”

The TD-2, tinted with digital camouflage paint, is a weaponised version of the chopper LCH and will be fitted with a 20 mm turret gun and can carry rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles on the weapon stations.

In addition it would have day-and-night targeting systems for the crew, including the helmet-pointed sight and electro-optical pod consisting of CCD camera, FLIR, laser range finder and laser designator.

These capabilities will have a major impact on air defence role against slow moving aerial targets, destruction of enemy air defence operations, escort to special heli-borne operations, support of combat search and rescue operations, anti-tank role and scout duties.

Soundara Rajan added that while the chopper would enter flight test phase this month, the weapon trials are planned in 2012.
The HAL says that the performance features of the LCH—rate of climb, cruise speed, service ceiling—are on par, if not better than other helicopter in its class.