HAL’s LUH receives IOC, fillip to indigenous programme

Lucknow: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the initial operational clearance (IOC) for its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) paving the way for its productionisation. HAL's CMD R Madhavan received the LUH IOC document from G Sateesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO at the 'Bandhan' programme held at ongoing DefExpo 2020 on Friday in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and others.

While speaking on the occasion Madhavan said, "This is a momentous occasion for HAL. It reinforces our commitment towards indigenous Research and Development programs on self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Indian armed forces. HAL is fully geared up to fulfil the requirements of its customers in a time-bound manner."

"This is a momentous occasion for HAL. It reinforces our commitment towards indigenous Research and Development programs on self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Indian armed forces:" HAL's CMD R Madhavan

HAL's Director (Engineering & R&D) Arup Chatterjee said the performance of basic configuration of LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory and HAL is moving towards the next phase of integrating and flight testing of mission and role equipment on LUH.

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

LUH is a single-engine, lightweight, highly agile 3-Ton utility helicopter, indigenously designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF). LUH will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Three prototypes have been built and cumulatively completed over 550 flights under various terrains and climatic conditions like cold weather, hot weather, sea-level and high altitude complying to stringent certification and user requirements.

Its endurance and reliability were established during the hot weather and high altitude trials wherein LUH was ferried from Bengaluru, covering over 7,000 kms of distance and continuously flying for 17 days without any abnormalities.

One LUH prototype is part of flying display and another is part of the static display at the DefExpo-2020.