Maiden Flight of HAL’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

      HAL has added another feather in its cap, when the first Technology Demonstrator of its indigenously designed & developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) lifted off smoothly for its maiden flight at Helicopter Complex, Bangalore on 29th March 2010.  The 20 minute flight provided the pilots an opportunity to carryout low speed, low altitude checks on the various systems on-board. The performance of the Helicopter & systems was satisfactory.

     The LCH is a dedicated attack helicopter derived from the Advanced Light Helicopter and is fitted with Weapon Systems, Mission Systems and Crashworthy Wheel Landing Gear with in-built Stealth characteristics.

     The maiden flight of LCH marks the successful culmination of three years of design & development efforts by Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre of Helicopter Complex. A full fledged qualification test program would follow leading to initial operation clearance by December 2011 towards induction into Indian Armed Services.

     A formal function is also planned for the official inaugural flight of LCH shortly.