Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), a name resembling with Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is indigenously made helicopter by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. LCH is a derivative of HAL Dhruv, which was introduced in Indian armed forces.
Recently LCH was seen in Jodhpur, having trail flight (especially as hot weather flight trails at 39-42 degree Celsius). According to HAL, the tests were successfully concluded and HAL is expecting to get initial operational clearance (IOC) soon and the production will start from the end of this year. The test aimed at performance assessment along with hydraulic, on board system and handling tests. The helicopter has passed cold weather trails this year which was done in leh at minus 18 degree Celsius at about 4 km altitude and at varying speed. It is designed for two pilot crew and for anti-infantry and anti-armor purpose at high altitude. Some sources claimed it having digital camouflage system.
LCH, developed by HAL for Indian Airforce and Indian Army (Army aviation corps). An order of 114 and 65 LCH has been placed by Indian Army and Indian Air force. A similar project of Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, which is also indigenously made by India for multirole purpose. Well, Light Combat feature makes both of them a must use machine. Currently the Cheetahs and the Chetaks are sub-three-tonne and single-engine unarmed utility helicopters. These are to be replaced by some more multipurpose and efficient helicopters.
What Led to its Requirement?
During kargil war in 1999, India felt the requirement of attack helicopters, especially for operations in high altitudes. This requirement led India to the development of a helicopter with diverse functions which will fulfill Army and Air force’s needs. According to the sources, Light Combat Helicopter is designed against slow moving Arial targets (like UAVs).
What’s Special about LCH?
Light combat helicopter has been given some special feature that make it an all-rounder in battle field and the king of battle.
- Twin engine (Shakti engine)
- Made for combat role, Air Defense, Anti-Tank, combat search and in rescue operations.
- Fuel efficient, which makes it a top priority for forces.
- Seating of pilot and co-pilot and weapon operator.
- Stealth features like armor protection, reduced visual, radar and infrared signatures and crash proof landing gears.
The unique features of LCH are sleek and narrow fuselage, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, armor protection and low visibility features which make the LCH more lethal and deadly.
The race for indigenous production is speeding up and is positively making India self-dependent. With these development armed forces are also being benefited in two ways. First, phasing out of old weapons and warheads and second, empowering the new with more compatibility and efficiency. India’s hunt for multirole beasts is a good initiative and will really help India to become a military superpower. Requirements never ends but, improvements and enhancements are always required for nation’s security and defense. Well, India is going on a right path and heading to a bright future.
