NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force will buy 65 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for about $1.4 billion.
Under development since 2006, the LCH has undergone several test flights, and deliveries are scheduled by 2013-2014.
The LCH is a two-engine, 5.5-ton helicopter and will carry air-to-air missiles, 20mm guns, unguided rockets and cluster bombs, grenade launchers and anti-radiation missiles. It will be used to kill UAVs and slow-moving aircraft, escort troop-carrying copters on special operations, destroy enemy air defenses, fight in urban environments, and blow up tanks and other vehicles.
An Air Force official said the weight of the LCH has been reduced, although he declined to detail the service requirement. The total demand for the helos by the Air Force and Army is 179.
The LCH will also be capable of high-altitude warfare since its operational ceiling will be 16,000 to 18,000 feet. The LCH is not a derivative of the homegrown Advanced Light Helicopter although it uses the same transmission and rotor systems.
The helicopter will be equipped with missile warning systems, anti-missile countermeasures and night attack-capable cockpit displays. Its narrow fuselage will be stealthy, and its landing gear will be built to handle hard landings.
The LCH carries a homegrown gyro-stabilized sighting system comprising a high-performance thermal imager and laser rangefinder with a four-kilometer detection range.
The helicopter also will be armed with the Helina missile, a Nag derivative, with an extended range of seven kilometers to augment its air-to-ground capability.
The Air Force is operating at just 74 percent of its helicopter requirements, as most of its helicopter fleet have reached their life expectancy, an Air Force officer said.
Under development since 2006, the LCH has undergone several test flights, and deliveries are scheduled by 2013-2014.
The LCH is a two-engine, 5.5-ton helicopter and will carry air-to-air missiles, 20mm guns, unguided rockets and cluster bombs, grenade launchers and anti-radiation missiles. It will be used to kill UAVs and slow-moving aircraft, escort troop-carrying copters on special operations, destroy enemy air defenses, fight in urban environments, and blow up tanks and other vehicles.
An Air Force official said the weight of the LCH has been reduced, although he declined to detail the service requirement. The total demand for the helos by the Air Force and Army is 179.
The LCH will also be capable of high-altitude warfare since its operational ceiling will be 16,000 to 18,000 feet. The LCH is not a derivative of the homegrown Advanced Light Helicopter although it uses the same transmission and rotor systems.
The helicopter will be equipped with missile warning systems, anti-missile countermeasures and night attack-capable cockpit displays. Its narrow fuselage will be stealthy, and its landing gear will be built to handle hard landings.
The LCH carries a homegrown gyro-stabilized sighting system comprising a high-performance thermal imager and laser rangefinder with a four-kilometer detection range.
The helicopter also will be armed with the Helina missile, a Nag derivative, with an extended range of seven kilometers to augment its air-to-ground capability.
The Air Force is operating at just 74 percent of its helicopter requirements, as most of its helicopter fleet have reached their life expectancy, an Air Force officer said.
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