Prachand LCH: News & Discussion: 03 October 2022

[Mukesh.Kumar]

Why DDNews? Why? Where is the Face Palm smiley?

https://x.com/AlexLuck9/status/1803799409752416747 --->

Time to rechristen it from DD News to DDM.

[Manish_P]

Why DDNews? Why? Where is the Face Palm smiley?

https://x.com/AlexLuck9/status/1803799409752416747 --->

...

Rishi Sunak's parting gift to Modi-ji

[Rakesh]

Kuntal has released his latest CGI rendition!

https://x.com/Kuntal__biswas/status/1803825657778262246 ---> Prachand

[Manish_P]

^ The bird looks sleek in actual photos as it is...

[Manish_P]

Once a service chief speaks in this manner, no amount of lobbying is going to change the thinking of that particular service.
...

Chiefs retire, sir.

The risk is somewhat along the lines of - Nayee Sarkaar, nayee soch

Would love to have a line-up of successive chiefs making 'Made in India' their mantra and their legacy.

This will enable the MIC to put roots. Once that trunk comes up and a lot of people begin to enjoy it's fruits and shade then it will be very tough to change (they will lobby the politicians, the babus, the military, the journos... all of them... and not just in India )

[drnayar]

Once a service chief speaks in this manner, no amount of lobbying is going to change the thinking of that particular service.
...

Chiefs retire, sir.

The risk is somewhat along the lines of - Nayee Sarkaar, nayee soch

Would love to have a line-up of successive chiefs making 'Made in India' their mantra and their legacy.

This will enable the MIC to put roots. Once that trunk comes up and a lot of people begin to enjoy it's fruits and shade then it will be very tough to change (they will lobby the politicians, the babus, the military, the journos... all of them... and not just in India )

Moot point but essential. Einsenhowers words about MIC esp has turned out prophetic..when it influences foreign policy!!

[Rakesh]

The ex-test pilot is Wing Commander Unni Krishna Pillai (retd).

VIDEO: https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1805244684991938957 ---> Ex-Test pilot explains what makes Prachand choppers special:

• Equipped with cutting-edge sensors, electro-optical devices, and laser range finders, the Prachand ensures precise target acquisition both day and night.

• The Prachand features a chin-mounted machine gun that aligns with the pilot’s helmet, ideal for targeting concealed threats.

• Designed to excel in high-altitude and rugged terrains, like the #Himalayas, the Prachand is ideal for missions where fighter jets are less effective.

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/manishindiatv/status/1823256104022737270 ---> Prachand Light Combat Helicopter of the IAF @ Exercise Tarang Shakti.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/hvtiaf_bharat/status/1828357045453459575 ---> Name one Indian product smarter than LCH Prachand.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/wartrophy_414/status/1831403723744276570 ---> HAL LCH cockpit.

[Rakesh]

HAL’s Call for Co-Development of EW Suite for LCH
https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/ ... e-for-lch/
09 Nov 2024

[srai]

^^^
Which EW suite will be used for initial batches?

Indigenous EW at least 3-years away.

[ashishvikas]

I hope orders are not put on HOLD for deciding n development on EW suite now.

[A Sharma]

In a major milestone for Indian Army, LCH Prachand conducts high-altitude firing

[Rakesh]

Please drag and drop this picture into a new browser window for full size.

https://x.com/wartrophy_414/status/1858051319170478426 --->

* 3 x Prachand
* 4 x Rudra
* 10 x Dhruv
* 10 x Cheetah

@ Exercise Poorvi Prahaar

(FB had a better quality picture than twitter, if you want better quality go to their FB link in QT)

[srai]

^^^
Imagine instead of Cheetah, it was LUH

That would have been the first where make up consisted of 100% indigenous platforms.

And in the background, Mi-17 replaced by IMRH!

[ernest]

Thankfully, this will be a reality in less than a decade. One of the areas where we have broken our import dependence. How sustained progress over decades build capability. Sustaining is the tough part

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/18 ... 6656401743 ---> Does everything except firing an ATGM since 29 March 2010.

[srai]

^^^
What’s the status of Helina/Dhruvastra integration?

HAL/DRDO can’t do marketing one bit. No displays showing the two together (even mockups) so far. Let’s see at AeroIndia 2025.

The other thing that was still in R&D was the EW system. How’s that progressing?

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/rajatpTOI/status/1878631346362573125 ---> India plans to ink at least 4 mega defence deals for 26 Rafale marine fighters, 3 Scorpene submarines, 156 Prachand light combat helicopters and 307 towed artillery guns ATAGS, collectively worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore, before this fiscal ends on March 31.

[JTull]

LCH order probably waiting for Aero-India 25

[ShauryaT]

While there is great appreciation for the Prachand and its agility in high-altitude ops, it does so with lighter payloads and relatively light armor. Maybe use the upcoming Aravalli engines for the IMRH to build an attack helicopter with higher payloads and armor (IOW like an Apache). The ability to take hits, destroy armored vehicles, and have enough staying power is an important part of CAS and anti-armor roles. Any such plans?

[srai]

^^^
Too much armor is overrated. Against MANPADs quite useless. Against modern AD ammo (like 3P) is also quite useless. Also, not effective against cheap FVP drones.

Stand-off capabilities is where things are heading. Staying too long over an area is high risk.

[srai]

HAL Prepares Live Fire Trials of Indigenous HELINA Anti-Tank Missile from LCH Prachand Helicopter

…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to conduct live fire trials of the indigenous HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) from its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), "Prachand," marking a significant advancement in India's defence capabilities.

The trials, anticipated to commence soon, will demonstrate the integration and operational readiness of the HELINA missile with the LCH platform.

…
This upcoming test follows a successful 2022 trial where HELINA, launched from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), accurately engaged a simulated tank target. This prior success validated the missile's design and its integration with helicopter platforms.

These trials will be first of its kind, where HELINA will be launched from LCH. The missile is currently in limited production, with new batches slated for integration and testing on the LCH-Prachand, further enhancing the helicopter's combat prowess.

…
Integrating the HELINA ATGM significantly bolsters the LCH's anti-tank capabilities, adding a potent weapon to its arsenal, which already includes a 20mm turret gun, 70mm rockets, and air-to-air missiles.

The "fire and forget" capability of the HELINA missile allows the LCH to engage a target and immediately maneuver away or engage other threats, a critical advantage in dynamic battlefield scenarios. This capability minimizes the helicopter's exposure to enemy fire, enhancing its survivability and operational effectiveness.

…

[fanne]

Phew finally. I won’t know if the delay was deliberate from some quarters, but a contrarian view could be lacking of imagination in planning. Lch in some form was ready for 4-5 years (if not 10 years). Alh already had tested Helina in 2022. Lch could have tested Helina in 2022 itself, and not waited till 2025.
The delay could be sigma 9 planning process. Where in the lsp Lch was manufactured, validated and then Helios also passed some greater than himalaya deeper than ocean test, and only after completion of all this, being tested by lch in 2025, a delay of 3 years. It is not the end, they may discover that the noise level while shooting the missile is high, or the noise does not follow a tune that someone likes, asking for extended testing for next 10 years. Sorry I am frustrated. This program was going good. And we decided to eff it.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/AviationWall/status/1886668666730688969 ---> Walking along side the Indian Army's Prachand attack helicopter.

[Rakesh]

Please drag and drop this picture into a new browser window for full size.

https://x.com/blur_pixel/status/1886727474098155659 ---> The mighty IAF Prachand gears up for a mission sortie, proving that the sky is just the beginning. Catch the Prachand LIVE at @AeroIndiaOfficial in breathtaking aerial manoeuvres and up close on static display!

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/livefist/status/1889225872512778533 ---> ₹1.3 lakh crore order for 97 LCA Tejas Mk1A and 156 LCH Prachand to be placed in next 3-6 months: HAL Chairman DK Sunil.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/delhidefence/status/1889189022670672294 ---> There you have it. A HAL Light Combat Helicopter model armed with NSTL's Advanced Light Weight Torpedo.

[Manish_P]

That looks like a heavy load

PS - would be awesome to have unmanned version of the LCH

[Avinandan]

The torpedo extends well beyond the landing wheels. I don't it is realistic probably early ideas and feasibility studies are on going.

[Aditya_V]

But don't the landing wheels move to a more upright position and fold a bit after take off, but I guess it's a mock up of possibilities

[prashantsharma]

Aero India always brings out the most BS hair brained ideas from HAL… they dont believe these ideas but think the world will be impressed by their innovation… for a week and then they will go back to chai n samosa… shouldnt they focus on hanging a torpedo from the naval dhruv and the helina from the prachand… are they gonna deck qualify the prachand and navalise n corrosion proof its systems… shoe horn a dunking sonar into it too? Do those idiots think they have the manpower time and money to pursue these schoolboy wet dreams?
Count the number of ****** up ideas that always appear right around aero india … lift, sport, dick, cock etc

[S_Madhukar]

HAL could do with a proper product discovery tutorial based on outcomes instead of khayali pulao.
As an outsider one wonders if like the air chief said they are better off putting their brains on a few products only but in mission mode and complete them in time.
My worry is that IAF might want something that end up between Apache and Prachand now that they have tried both products

[ashishvikas]

Mega Rs 45,000 crore desi 156 combat helicopter deal likely to get Cabinet nod soon
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/po ... 0325200839
25 March 2025

[ramana]

Great news. Finally having LCH in hand is worth many Apaches still in US!

Wish they had made this decision earlier. It shows GOI is not waiting for Apache forever.

[Khalsa]

Har Har Mahadev.
The Prachand has finally arrived in numbers.

I do sometimes wonder if the 6 for the army are meant to be the bar for running a complex chopper - armoured corps model and slowly work towards that using our prachands.
or I am giving way too much credit here in advance.

[pravula]

LCH still has no equivalent for the Longbow system.

[A Deshmukh]

now that Prachand order is finally in place,
HAL should start designing a HCH (Heavy Combat Helicopter).
With their experience it should be up and ready for testing in a few years time.

[Khalsa]

Agreed, I believe we should develop the next iteration of our combat helicopter after atleast 5 years of using Apache.
I believe there are lessons to be learnt from flying and absorbing it.