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LCH TD-2 makes a silent maiden flight; incorporates many new features

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here LCH TD-2 under production pics
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Another major milestone was by achieved by India’s state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to our sources the HAL’s flagship helicopter development program Light Combat Helicopter’s (LCH) second prototype TD-2 (Technology Demonstrator) achieved its first flight at 1500hrs IST. This a major boost for the program as this prototype is expected to be a weaponized version.

The nature of this test flight is not yet clear but it is believed that the helicopter made low level hover similar to first test flight of LCH TD-1. The TD-2 also has lots of Indian Army specific inputs like the revolutionary digital camouflage. Also the TD-2 is 100kgs lighter than the TD-1. TD-2 is also equipped with a fully functional target acquisition and pilots vision pod a feature which was not seen in TD-1.

Plan to develop an attack helicopter was finalized in October 2006 after the design concept developed by HAL was approved by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Need for a modern attack helicopter platform was felt by the Indian military during late 90s when its attack helicopter fleet comprising of some 30 Russian Mi-24s and Mi-35s proved to be useless at high altitude and lacked sophistication needed by complex modern wars. It was decided to develop an attack helicopter which could fulfill the unique and different needs of the Army and the Air force.
LCH was designed out of HAL’s highly successful multi-role utility helicopter “Dhruv”. Dhruv first entered service in 2002 and since have carried out its duties in a very successful manner. Dhruv is also being exported to many countries. Developing LCH from Dhruv saved HAL preciously needed time. So far the IAF has placed an order of 65 LCH’s and the Army has placed an order of 114. According to estimates the LCH should receive its Final operational clearance by 2013/2014 after which it will enter service.

The LCH incorporates stealth features, ability to perform night operations and crash landing gear for high survivability. The LCH will have a narrow fuselage, with two crew stations. 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 will supply the Indian Air Force with 65 and Indian army with 114 gunships. The helicopter is powered by the HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft engine. The helicopter will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

The LCH is to have a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with FLIR, Laser rangefinder and laser designator. Weapons will be aimed with a helmet mounted sight and there will be an electronic warfare suite with radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver and a missile approach warning system.
 
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India to showcase LCH-2 at Aero India 2011
SOURCE : TNN
India’s first indigenous attack helicopter, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) developed by HAL and due for induction into the Indian Air Force by 2012-13, will make its first flight during Aero India from February 9 to 13. Its first test flight was in March last year.
The second and third flights were in April and May 2010 and as of now, over 20 test flights have checked various parameters. These have paved the way for testing with weapons.
While the first prototype could fly at the air show, the second prototype, which will be weaponized, is expected to be unveiled too. Two more prototypes are under construction. HAL commenced work on the LCH in 2006.
The copter is an attack variant of the HAL Dhruv, which has been inducted into the armed forces. The copter was designed using a successful and proven helicopter as the base platform. HAL has tentative orders to deliver 65 LCHs to the IAF and over 100 to the Army.
HAL will also showcase the mock-up of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) which is being developed indigenously and the Multirole Transport Aircraft ( MTA) being done in collaboration with Russia.
Two Chetak helicopters are expected to be handed over to a Third World country. While export orders are nothing to write home about, there have been occasional purchases by other countries. Chile signed a contract with HAL for about seven Dhruv ALHs.
Chopper features
* Powered by HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft engine
* Has helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems
* Has glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with laser range-finder and laser designator
* Fitted with data link for network-centric operations facilitating transfer of mission data to other airborne platforms and ground stations
* Two pilots sit one behind the other, compared to side-by-side in the Dhruv
 
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^^ I do not see any changes. It is not final production version. Note the number ZP 4601 which is the number of TD-1.
 
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^^ I do not see any changes. It is not final production version. Note the number ZP 4601 which is the number of TD-1.

You are right. It only shows the fairing on the landing gear on that model. All the improvements I think will be on TD-3 and also reduce some more weight. It will be close to the final product.
 
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iaf will never use offencive techniques against naxals.

That's the problem.LCH with their passive thermal imagers can easily pinpoint those naxalites and nutralise them with ug rockets and 20 mm canon fire.They can also be supported by ALHs fitted with foliage penetration radars being developed by LRDE.This way the CRPF casualty can be greatly reduced.
 
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That's the problem.LCH with their passive thermal imagers can easily pinpoint those naxalites and nutralise them with ug rockets and 20 mm canon fire.They can also be supported by ALHs fitted with foliage penetration radars being developed by LRDE.This way the CRPF casualty can be greatly reduced.


it is not that LCH do this or that against nxalist but government want iAF/IA to play only support role for mainly transportation, rescue, or same other role but not the offensive role. naxal are spread in big area of country and any massive action can ruin the condition.
its sad to see every time police personal giving there life in some specific area against nxalist but many time i they are trapped while traveling and police personal are lacking in guerrilla war fare ... my opinion is that we better to train personal there specially against naxal and providing them better ammo and support
 
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