Indian Air Force to introduce indigenous LCH helicopters worth Rs 3,887 Crore on 3rd October
On 3rd October 2022, the Indian Air Force will introduce the first batch of Light Combat Helicopters manufactured in India itself by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. These helicopters are well designed and are capable of flying at high altitudes as well as in the desert.
The 5.8-tonne weaponized choppers with high accuracy 20-mm guns and missiles will be introduced to the IAF a day before the Air Force Day in the presence of Defense Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
The Light Combat Helicopters testing was a great success and this LCH will be admitted to the IAF inventory on 3rd October in the ceremony in Jodhpur, Mr. Rajnath Singh will be present in the ceremony at the time of induction of LCH.
These helicopters will be helpful in busting operations of high-altitude bunkers.
The Hindustan aeronautics ltd. Have manufactured a total of 15 LCH, out of which 10 LCH will be held by IAF and the remaining 5 LCH are manufactured for the Indian Army.
Specifications of the LCH –
● LCH can hold two crew members
● Length – 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in)
● Wingspan – 4.60 m (15ft 1 in)
● Empty weight – ,250 kg (4,960 lb)
● Max takeoff weight – 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
● Payload – 1,750 kg (3,860 lb) weapons
● Powerplant – 2 * HAL/Turbomeca SHakti-1H1 turboshaft, 1032 kW (1,384 hp) each
● Main root diameter – 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
Performance of LCH –
● Maximum speed – 268 km/h (167 mph, 145 km)
● Never exceed a speed – of 330 km/h (205 mph, 178 km)
● Range – 550 km (340 mi, 300 NMI) with weapons
● Endurance – 3 hours 10 minutes
● Service ceiling – 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
● Rate of climb – 12 m/s (2,400 ft/min)
Armament –
● Guns – 1 * 20 mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
● Hardpoints – 4, with permission to carry combinations of
1. Rockets –4 * 12 FZ275 LGR
2. Missiles –
● Air-to-air missiles: 4*2 Mistral
● Air-tank guided missiles: 4*4 Dhruvastra
● Bombs – Cluster munition
● Unguided bombs
● Grenade Launcher
