HAL Light Combat Helicopter

Infobox Aircraft
name= Light Combat Helicopter


caption= The HAL LCH final design model
type= Attack helicopter
manufacturer= Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
designer=
first flight=
introduced=
retired=
status= Development
primary user= Indian Air Force
more users= Indian Army
produced=
number built=
unit cost=
developed from = HAL Dhruv
variants with their own articles=

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a combat helicopter currently being developed in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for use by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.

Development

The LCH is being designed to fit into an anti-infantry and anti-armour role and will be able to operate at high altitudes (16,300 feet).

HAL hopes to equip the Indian Air Force with about 65 gunships starting 2010. [ [http://www.domain-b.com/aero/June/2007/20070620_hal.htm Paris Air Show: First flight of HAL`s light combat helicopter in 2008] ] The helicopter will be powered by the Shakti engine developed by HAL, in association with Turbomeca of France. The helicopter will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

In 2006, HAL selected the M621 cannon incorporated in a Nexter THL 20 turret for the gun armament of the helicopter, operated by a helmet mounted sight."Missile Mirage", "Aviation Week & Space Technology", January 1 2007.] HAL has completed development of the phase and it will test fly the helicopter by March 2009, a delay of three months from the initial date of December 2008. [ [http://www.domain-b.com/aero/aero_mfg/20080901_helicopter.html HAL's Light Combat Helicopter to test-fly by year-end] ] Three prototypes will be built. The second version will be fitted with weaponry before its test flight. The Indian Air Force will be provided with the third prototype for user trials. [ [http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=333870 Light Combat Helicopter to fly soon] ]

pecifications

Aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Defense Update [cite web
url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/lch-specs.htm
title=LCH page on Global Security.org
last=
first=
date=
accessdate=2007-04-03
work=
publisher=]

crew=2
capacity=
length main= 15.8m
length alt= ft in
span main= 3.55m
span alt= ft in
rotor diameter= 13.3 m
height main= 4.7m
height alt= ft in
area main= m²
area alt= ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= kg
empty weight alt= lb
loaded weight main= kg
loaded weight alt= lb
useful load main= kg
useful load alt= kg
max takeoff weight main= 5,500kg
max takeoff weight alt= lb
more general=
engine (prop)= Shakti turboshafts
type of prop=
number of props=2
power main= 900 kW
power alt= 1200 hp
power original=
max speed main= km/h
max speed alt=275
cruise speed main= 260km/h
cruise speed alt= knots, mph
never exceed speed main= 330 km/h
never exceed speed alt= knots, mph
range main= 700km
range with armaments= 550km
range alt= nm, mi
ceiling main= 16,300 ft (4970 m)
ceiling alt= ft
climb rate main=12 m/s
climb rate alt= ft/min
loading main= kg/m²
loading alt= lb/ft²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= W/kg
power/mass alt= hp/lb
more performance=
armament=
* 20 mm gun
* Air to surface missiles
air-to-air missiles
* Unguided rockets
* Iron bombs, cluster bomb units, grenade launchers
* Anti-radiation missiles
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* HAL Dhruv

similar aircraft=
* AH-1 Cobra
* AH-64 Apache
* Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
* Agusta A129 Mangusta
* Eurocopter Tiger
* Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark
* Mil Mi-24 Hind
* Mil Mi-28 Havoc
* WZ-10

lists=
* List of helicopters
see also=

References

External links

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/22/stories/2005032203681300.htm News Article About LCH]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/images/lch-image83.jpgPhoto of HAL LCH mock-up]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/lch.htm Global Security Page]
* [http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/31/stories/2007103162031000.htm Light Combat Helicopter will be ready by next year:Baweja]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=MmFaoI1fTFM&feature=related Video:India unveils high-tech gunship]