Light Utility Helicopter: News & Discussion: 06 Feb 2021

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 00:45

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

Thanks to BRF Members Bharadwaj, Indranil and Sankum for their contributions.

Mods: Please update or correct info below, if found to be in error. Thank You.

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Milestones Achieved
• Initial Operational Clearance: 05 Feb 2021

Design Specifications
• Crew: 2
• Crew: 6 passengers
• Length: 11.49 metres
• Height: 3.38 metres
• Main Rotor Diameter: 11.6 metres
• Empty Weight: 1,910 kg
• Maximum Take Off Weight: 3,120 kg
• Maximum Take Off Weight: 3,600 kg with underslung load
• Underslung Load: 1,000 kg
• Engine: 1 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1U turboshaft derated to 798 kW (1,070 shp)

Performance Specifications
• Maximum Speed: 250 km/h
• Cruise Speed: 235 km/h
• Never Exceed Speed: 259 km/h
• Range: 350 km with 400 kg payload
• Service Ceiling: 6,500 metres
• Rate of Climb: 6.66 metres per second

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LUH Prototype Production

Construction Number ... Serial Number ... Aircraft First Flight ... Pilot(s)
• PT-1 ... ZG-4620 ... 07-Sept-2016 ...
• PT-2 ... ZG-4630 ... 22-May-2017 ...
• PT-3 ... ZG-4640 ... 14-Dec-2018 ...

Genesis of LUH Development
By Indranil Roy, 07 Feb 2023
https://twitter.com/Indrani1_Roy/status ... DgxW2Z82zg

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Photographs: Light Utility Helicopter

Picture below courtesy of Livefist Defence ---> https://www.livefistdefence.com/indo-ru ... speeds-up/

https://twitter.com/FighterPiloting/sta ... pxiyMr05Vg --->

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 00:46

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/135 ... 50112?s=20 ---> HAL’s LUH has a great flying set at #AeroIndia2021 — exuding confidence fresh off successful final demos for the Army in Ladakh. The case for a foreign light copter evaporating fast.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 00:47

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1357617818187878406 ---> HAL's Light Utility Helicopter receives the Initial Operational Clearance for the Indian Army, from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) during Aero India 2021.

Atmavik · Post by **Atmavik** » 07 Feb 2021 01:07

sankum · Post by **sankum** » 07 Feb 2021 01:08

Rakesh , Overload MTOW is 3600 kg when underslung load is carried in LUH from a old poster.

SRajesh · Post by **SRajesh** » 07 Feb 2021 01:12

Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1357617818187878406 ---> HAL's Light Utility Helicopter receives the Initial Operational Clearance for the Indian Army, from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) during Aero India 2021.

Noob Pooch

Will it be able to transport ULH underslung??

sankum · Post by **sankum** » 07 Feb 2021 01:23

Underslung load of ALH is 1500kg and in LUH is 1000 kg.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 01:39

sankum wrote:Rakesh , Overload MTOW is 3600 kg when underslung load is carried in LUH from a old poster.

Made the correction. Please review the Design Specifications sub-heading. Thanks.

sankum · Post by **sankum** » 07 Feb 2021 01:43

Rakesh should have kept both
MTOW 3120kg
Underslung MTOW 3600kg

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 01:44

Now?

sankum · Post by **sankum** » 07 Feb 2021 02:10

Thanks

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 02:27

Thanks goes to you and not to me. I always look forward to your corrections and additions when I start threads like this. So your patience with this mango abdul is greatly appreciated. Then I saw the IMRH video and started a thread on that too!

I started this thread because of the IOC that the LUH got. Now it is just a matter of time, before she gets inducted.

So happy to see our aviation industry taking off like this. And these birds are all possible, just from one bird - HAL Dhruv.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Feb 2021 20:24

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 45889?s=20 ---> Mr R Madhavan, CMD of HAL: "All certification activities of LUH, ie, Ground/System testing, Ground Test Vehicle endurance runs, Flight testing including hot/cold weather trials, sea level/hot weather high altitude trials are completed. PJSQR requirements for certification are satisfactory."

basant · Post by **basant** » 07 Feb 2021 21:25

What are the remaining qualifications for FOC? Hope that also is achieved soon.

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 08 Feb 2021 08:55

basant wrote:What are the remaining qualifications for FOC? Hope that also is achieved soon.

There is no FOC for LUH. Only equipment qualification- i.e autopilot, winch etc

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 08 Feb 2021 08:56

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HJ55AW5q5E

Why would LUH need armor plates? are they working on a lancer replacement?

jamwal · Post by **jamwal** » 08 Feb 2021 13:17

LUH received IOC and LCH handed over before contract signing. This is the 1st instance of a local machine's variants seeing some success after failed attempts of Marut and INSAS. True lungi dance moment which many seem to have missed.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 23 Feb 2021 23:08

This is in Tumkur, Karnataka.

https://twitter.com/Mave_Intel/status/1 ... 67329?s=20 ---> New assembly line for Light Utility Helicopter.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 23 Feb 2021 23:14

https://twitter.com/strategic_front/sta ... 65408?s=20 ---> MoD approved the development of the LUH to replace the Cheetah/Chetak helicopters in February 2009. The LUH is likely to receive FOC in 2021 & then enter production (~187 copies will be made). For an aviation project, it has gone from prototype to production stage rather quickly.

Armuan · Post by **Armuan** » 13 Mar 2021 06:34

Awesome vide of failure testing of LUH. Shows how drastic and dangerous flight testing can be. Huge respect for Test pilot Unni pillai and others. Apologies if posted in a different thread.

ashishvikas · Post by **ashishvikas** » 23 Mar 2021 13:37

Indigenous light choppers get go-ahead, delivery in 2022

Indigenous light choppers get go-ahead, delivery in 2022.

LoA for 12 LUH given, six each for the Army and IAF.

Total requirement for over 185.

Handing over by August 2022 to mark 75 years of independence. [Now we know, why LCA MK2 roll out is also planned for Aug-22 ]

https://twitter.com/manupubby/status/13 ... 79941?s=20

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... aign=cppst

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 24 Mar 2021 11:13

Production/ yr. should be at least 24+ in order to replace old LUHs still flying.Even with the KA-226 production, when it finally begins, the need for this decade will be around 400+. An unmanned version should be taken up immediately for naval reqs.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 24 Mar 2021 11:33

Yeah, LoA is for 12 but HAL should build a production line capable of making 24/year.

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 24 Mar 2021 15:49

After the Tejas Mk1A Thread this is my second most highly rated thread.

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 24 Mar 2021 15:51

nachiket wrote:Yeah, LoA is for 12 but HAL should build a production line capable of making 24/year.

Saar, should it not be better to match the build rate to the ageing and retirement schedule of Cheetahs and Chetaks unless ofcourse we were building up the total capacity in the Forces. i.e increasing LuH squadron numbers.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 24 Mar 2021 17:01

The need is for 900+ LUH. Over the next few decades. Rest assured that the quantity being procured will increase in the next few years.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 24 Mar 2021 19:04

^ I will believe it when I see it. Why would the Services/MoD place a paltry, token order? Seems reserved for desi maal: like 40 Tejas MK1s, 118 Arjuns, 12 LUHs, 248 Astras, 2+1 Netras ....

LCH, NAG, Helina & Namica are not even that lucky: zero orders so far

Contrast with 4000+ Milan order last week, 1000s of tin cans, billions of $$ on P8Is etc. I think the Services are playing the lip-service game. They know that Modi-sarkar insists on Atmanirbhar. So, instead of placing zero orders (which would be frowned upon), they have started to place token orders. Keeps Modi/RNS happy, while they can use up the big bucks for import maal.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 24 Mar 2021 21:30

Pratyush wrote:The need is for 900+ LUH. Over the next few decades. Rest assured that the quantity being procured will increase in the next few years.

The "need" is meaningless when you are investing in a production facility and signing contracts with suppliers. What matters is how many airframes are actually cleared for an order. That number is 12 for now. There is no knowing if or when the rest of the airframes will be ordered (or even when these 12 will actually be ordered). Have a look at the state of the LCH. The chopper has been ready for a while now and we had seen similarly large numbers as the total requirement for the IA and IAF but even the initial order for 15 has been hanging fire. How can you expect any company to invest in large scale production in a scenario like this? Defence production does not work this way anywhere in the world.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 24 Mar 2021 21:38

Prem Kumar wrote:^ I will believe it when I see it. Why would the Services/MoD place a paltry, token order? Seems reserved for desi maal: like 40 Tejas MK1s, 118 Arjuns, 12 LUHs, 248 Astras, 2+1 Netras ....

LCH, NAG, Helina & Namica are not even that lucky: zero orders so far

The actual orders for LUH also stand at 0. This is just an LoA for 12. We all know that for an LoA to become an order in our MoD can be an indefinitely long process, especially for indigenous equipment.

AkshaySG · Post by **AkshaySG** » 25 Mar 2021 00:04

There's a "have your cake and eat it too " kinda approach by MOD and the services these past few years .

One one hand they'll talk about Atmanirbharta and indigenous capabilities and show-off all these products during launches shows and brochures but spend an absolute age testing and negotiating any ,and when the order comes its some paltry amount with some "future promise " of more ,
Meanwhile sneakily they'll find some emergency fund/attrition replacement clause and order the expensive phoren maal in huge numbers .

Plus they also get to savor the applause and limelight for doing the bare minimum multiple times .
Once after its tested ,
Once after its cleared ,
Once after it moves to DAC/CCS,
once after the order is placed and then finally once again at delivery .

Ensuring multiple opportunities for some nice photo ops and buzz wordy-speeches over multiple years meanwhile we keep risking our fine officers in 50 yr old machines

LCH has already been made ,tested to its limits , HAL even went as far as making more from its own budget and giving to the services and still there's only a paltry order of 15 in the works , That too is taking years .LUH as a platform is good enough to start replacing the 50 yr old helos and yet all we can start with is a "go ahead " for 12 .... if its a go ahead then why can't we go ahead with 60-70 or more , You can always upgrade them later if that's a need .

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 25 Mar 2021 10:00

nachiket wrote:
Prem Kumar wrote:^ I will believe it when I see it. Why would the Services/MoD place a paltry, token order? Seems reserved for desi maal: like 40 Tejas MK1s, 118 Arjuns, 12 LUHs, 248 Astras, 2+1 Netras ....

LCH, NAG, Helina & Namica are not even that lucky: zero orders so far
The actual orders for LUH also stand at 0. This is just an LoA for 12. We all know that for an LoA to become an order in our MoD can be an indefinitely long process, especially for indigenous equipment.

Based on earlier reports, my understanding is that this is a process similar to what is eventually happening with the LCH. i.e the helicopters will be taken by IA/IAF even as the order winds its way through the DPP. So come AUG 22 the LUH will be in service no matter what.

YashG · Post by **YashG** » 25 Mar 2021 12:44

We can place $3 Bn orders for US drones but not for LCH and LUH. I dont understand. I'm so very very very disappointed with Def Min, GoI. Parrikar missed. It seems we r buying favors with US govt. through these orders by doing a disservice to our soldiers - who like someone said above are dying in older machines.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 25 Mar 2021 18:59

Good view of the LUH with the modified skids that were apparently more aerodynamically refined. Not sure whether it'll enter production with this skid design or the earlier one.

Image credit - Gaur.aviation

Barath · Post by **Barath** » 28 Jul 2021 11:04

Naming the LUH - Or why Laghu should be the only choice.

LUH is derived from Dhruv, the smaller progeny of it.

Dhruv is also identified with the Pole star. Dhruv is part of Ursa Minor. Which in India was known as Laghu Saptarshi. As the constellation is created by 7 small, fainter, nearer stars.

BTW, Saptarshi is the Pleiades aka Ursa Major, two of the stars point to Dhruv. We could examine those for ideas, but there is no need.

Also BTW, Dhruv in mythology had 3 children : Kalpa, Vatsara and Utkala. The meanings of them do not resonate.

Laghu means light, quick, swift, active, prompt, nimble , small

And the LUH is certainly that.

As a bonus, laghu has 3 of the 5 letters of LUH; pronounce 'LHU' and it rhymes with 'Laghu'

And if you don't like it, you may be a LUHser

tldr; Laghu describes the LUH beautifully, the letters and sound resonate to LUH , and harkens back to relation with Dhruv/ALH via ancient indian astronomy. This is the only choice

arvin · Post by **arvin** » 28 Jul 2021 14:51

^^^°
Nice. Such a LUH-cid and iLUH-minating explanation.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Jul 2021 20:24

Barath wrote:And if you don't like it, you may be a LUHser

I love this line!

Great post by the way Barath.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 08 Sep 2021 04:17

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/143 ... 89793?s=20 ---> BTW, the Indian Army has already issued a letter of intent to HAL for the Light Utility Helicopter. IOC for the Indian Army's version of the Light Utility Helicopter was accorded in February 2021.

basant · Post by **basant** » 22 Sep 2021 17:01

For the record.

HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter Clears Tests At World’s Highest Landing Ground

In a major step for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a prototype has just completed high altitude flight trials at the world’s highest landing ground — Daulat Beg Olde in northern Ladakh.

In a statement today HAL said, “All planned tests were successfully demonstrated. A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3300m) in temperatures upto International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) +32 degree C which included envelope expansion, performance and flying qualities. The LUH then lifted off from Leh and demonstrated its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 5000m followed by another forward helipad (5500m at ISA +27degree C). While these extreme weather conditions imposed flight restrictions on all other civil and military aircraft, LUH flights were unhindered as it is designed for such operations.”

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 22 Sep 2021 17:43

There was a burb which said that the tail rotor had some vibrations during high altitude testing.

I wonder how that would effect orders for the chopper.

basant · Post by **basant** » 22 Sep 2021 19:07

Unfortunately, we have no guaranteed success even in case where there are no issues. They can place order for heights that have no performance issues first and then more when the issue is resolved (if already has not been).

"The LUH was flown to various high altitude bases in Siachen Glacier by pilots of Indian Air Force and Indian Army and they are satisfied with the performance of the helicopter and its systems."

LUH performance during recent Himalayan trials was exceptional: Arup Chatterjee