India's Light Combat Helicopter is a state-of-the-art Flying Tank

[thesolar65]

During the 1999 Kargil War, operations of Indian Air Force were hampered as the only combat helicopter, the Mi-35, couldn’t operate at extremely high altitudes where most of the conflict was concentrated.

"The Mi-35 couldn’t even cross the Banihal pass. We were handicapped and badly needed a chopper that can even launch assaults at high altitudes,” (Retd) Wing Commander Unni Pillai, the chief test pilot of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) reminisced.

Seventeen years after the war, India has an indigenous combat helicopter that can carry out operations even at the 19,600-feet high Siachen glacier. Designed and built by HAL, the Light Combat Helicopter is the only machine in the world that can carry out operations at such high altitudes.

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'Last year we successfully landed this helicopter at Siachen glacier, the only combat helicopter to do that in the world'.
- Unni Pillai, (Retd) Wing Commander and Chief Test Pilot, HAL
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Armed with a nose gun, rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, the LCH is a 5.8-tonne class chopper, heavily armoured and engineered for combat. The helicopter has a state-of-the-art cockpit with day/night targeting systems for the crew including the helmet pointed sight, with the help of which the pilot can aim just by looking at the target. The LCH is fitted with a self-protection suite consisting of radar/laser missile warning systems and counter measures dispensing system (CMDS).

“The machine can carry weapons up to 1,000 kg. In addition, we have a nose gun which can carry up to 300 rounds of ammunition of different type, penetrating or high explosives,” added Pillai.

Pillai said the first limited series of 10 helicopters will be available to the Indian Air Force in the next four months.

The first prototype helicopter had its inaugural flight on March 23, 2010.

Commenting on the Make in India initiative, he asserted that the requirements of the Indian Air Force can only be met by aircraft manufactured locally.

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We have a particular operating environment and we are the best people to make as per our requirement. American machines don’t have a requirement to operate above 10,000-12,000 feet. Hence to enhance our operation capabilities, it is important we make in our country.
- (Retd) Wing Commander, Unni Pillai, Chief Test Pilot, HAL

 

[#hydra#]

Is it possible to design a heavy class attack helicopter, something like appache,KA-50 blackshark and able to operate in such heights with decent payload.

 

[Papa Dragon]

IMO, LCH is one project where HAL handled relatively better than it's other projects and the rotary wing projects have always been on the bright side rather than it's fixed wing projects. I hope HAL would offer LCH's production line to private players and focus on building variants of the LCH and a medium-heavy attack copter and also partner with private Indian defense firms to develop the avionics, sensor suite, engine and weapons in-house.

 

[Turingsage]

Its not "state of the art" and its not a "flying tank". Do my fellow Indians realise that making fantastical claims may sooth a fools ego but does nothing in advancing Indian defence industries.

There is a lot wrong and a lot of work ahead in defence industries.
Its best served by keeping clear heads and realistic assessments.

 

[ranadd]

I also disagree this is state of the art. Too much stretch of Imagination. They are building on top of Rudra and all.

Apache and the Hinds are the designated flying tanks.

 

[Dalai Lama]

It's a Light Combat Helicopter, not a flying tank...

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Congrats, we've watched it grow from TD1. It was interesting to see HAL change the frame little by little from data they receive from various trials. Now IAF will get 10 LSPs, IA will get some as well.

Production, then certify the new engine one to it. Will be a great achievement.