India, US set to ink $1.4bn deal for 22 Apache helicopters

[sancho]

The production version going from the current weight to the weights of the Apache without undergoing structural problems is wishful thinking. Lets be practical here.

LOL, who said it will have the weight of the Apache and for what reason? I said, they are reducing the weight currently and changing the design to reduce drag too.

The ferry range of the Apache is 1900 kms. Can the LCH beat that. Seems difficult

Of course not, because that is the ferry range with internal and 4 x external fuel tanks and LCH can't carry that many. But again, why should it need such a ferry range? More important is the mission range and as stated, here the LCH has advantages, so it flies longer and and higher and at least similar speed of the Apache D. Here are some specs that gives you a real understanding about the differences:

The Apache D / LCH

Mission range: 460 to 485Km / LCH up to 550Km
Max speed: 276Km/h – LCH 275Km/h
Ceilling: 4465m / 6500m

Normal weapon config: 2 x rocket pods + 8 ATGMs / 2 x rocket pods + 8 ATGMs

Sensors

Target Acquisition Designation Sight - both
HMS - both
Radar - Apache

Countermesures

chaff dispensers - both
radar warning receiver - both
laser warning receiver - both
infra-red countermeasures - both (LCH DIRCM)
support target acquisition system - Apache
radar jammer – Apache

As you can see, be it flight performance, normal weapon configs, sensors or defence systems, LCH is very comparable to an Apache Block 2, in certain areas it is even superior!
The Apache Block 3 comes with upgraded engines which gives it speed advantages, but the main improvement are the upgraded avionics, while the UAV control capability might be no advantage for India, since we use different data links and satcom techs.
My point however was, that any combat helicopter has a similar design and similar weapon configs, because they are all meant for the same roles, no matter what emptyweight they have!
That is the big difference to combat fighters, which are designed with different roles and capabilities in mind and where different weight classes, also means very different performances.


Some sources, that might be interesting for you:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/ah-64d-mission-image20.jpg

http://s1.directupload.net/images/121204/3z7h2gp3.jpg

http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/attack/ah64_apache.html#specifications

http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/151213-hal-lch-analysis-mike-hirschberg.html

 

[sancho]

i dont understand 2 things

1) why'r we buying only 22 and not more?

2) why not upgrade our Hinds to Super Hinds

Because it replaces 22 x Mi 35s, which already are the upgraded versions.

The whole world artillery vendor take India as ATM machine, this will finally sabotage Indians indigenous manufacturing ability. Let us wait and see. If I was an Indian, I will support sancho's view.

How so? I don't see LCH beeing effected of Apache at all, since we already order more of them and Rudra. Not to mention that I see foreign partnerships as an advantage and want more of them, instead beeing limited to indigenous development only, like China.