Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd have successfully carried out the maiden flight of the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter on Tuesday from its...
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd have successfully carried out the maiden flight of the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter on Tuesday from its Bangalore facility.
The helicopter lifted at 1210 hours and was in the air for 15 minutes at HAL facilities. The flawless flight was carried out by HAL test pilots.
The new single engined helicopter is derived and resemble its twin engined HAL Dhruv operated by Indian Armed Forces.
The LUH is the third helicopter developed by HAL after the Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter and is intended to replace the aged and obsolescent Chetak (Aloutte III) and Cheetah (LAMA SA 315B) helicopters operated by Indian armed forces.
The LUH has a maximum All-Up-Weight (AUW) of 3150 Kgs, and is powered by a single Safran HE Ardiden-1U engine of 750 KW power.
It has a range of 350 km and service ceiling 6.5 Km with capacity to seat six passengers plus two pilots.
The helicopter is designed to carry out various utility roles such as reconnaissance, transport, cargo load and rescue operations. The helicopter can operate from sea level to high altitudes of Himalayas.
