Light Utility Helicopter is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for civilian and military applications.
The Indian Army and Air Force are operating a fleet of 160 Cheetah helicopters and 4 Chetak helicopters since the 1970s. By now they are obsolete and need to be replaced. Their successor will be the HAL Light Utility Helicopter or LUH. In a latest development, 12 Light Utility Helicopters have been ordered. On the other hand, the Army is negotiating to buy 11 more Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the US. The Indian Army is considering procuring about 111 LUH and 95 Prachand attack helicopters.
Light Utility Helicopter is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for civilian and military applications. The helicopter had its first flight in 2016, and is officially introduced in 2020. The LUH is a 3-tonne class highly agile new generation light helicopter. The LUH will be capable of accommodating a maximum of two pilots and six passengers, all of which shall be seated on crash-worthy seats; externally, it is capable of carrying cargoes of up to 1 tonne under-slung.
LUH is powered by a single 750 KW rated Shakti-1U turboshaft engine derived from Safran Ardiden, co-developed by HAL and Turbomeca. According to HAL, it possesses a cruise speed of 235Â km/h, maximum speed of 260Â km/h, service ceiling of up to 6.5Â km, a range of 350Â km with maximum take-off weight of 3.12 tonne and an empty weight of 1.91 tonne.
The helicopter supports dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system along with backup fuel control system. The LUH will be equipped with a glass cockpit featuring a Smart Cockpit Display System (SCDS) along with a skid-based landing gear arrangement. LUH is the only helicopter in the 3 ton class to have foldable rotors.
The Light Utility Helicopter will be able to undertake various missions, including emergency medical services (EMS), troop transport, utility, search and rescue, VIP transport, aerial reconnaissance and surveillance missions. According to reports, 12 LUHs have been ordered, 6 of which are for the army and 6 for the air force. The Indian Coast Guard is also planning to replace its Chetak fleet.
