The HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

摘要

The Cheetah and Chetak helicopters operated by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army are nearing the end of their useful life and need to be replaced.The military requirement for a Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) was issued in February 2008. It calls for 384 helicopters, of which 197 will be procured from abroad, with the remaining 187 helicopters to be indigenously developed by HAL as the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).The LUH requirement calls for a light (3 ton) single engine utility helicopter capable of seating 6 passengers, in addition to the two pilots, and operations up to 6.5 km (21,300 ft) altitude. Design and development of the LUH by HAL's Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre has begun as a five year effort funded by the Indian government, and includes development of the new rotor system, transmission system and glass cockpit.