Bengaluru: HAL test flies light copter up to 6km altitude


Bengaluru, Dec 10 (IANS): State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has test flown a prototype of its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) up to 6km altitude, the defence behemoth said on Monday.

"The LUH has achieved a milestone of flying at 6km altitude in Bengaluru recently and will conduct high-altitude cold weather trials planned in January 2019," the city-based HAL said in a statement.

Flying at 6km altitude is considered to be a critical requirement for the certification of the light helicopter, it said.

The chopper was flown by chief test pilot Wing Commander (retired) Unni K. Pillai and test pilot Wing Commander (retired) Anil Bhambhani and showed satisfactory performance, HAL said.

The LUH is a 3-tonne class single-engine light helicopter under development by the HAL, so as to replace the aging Cheetah and Chetak choppers used by the Indian defence forces.

The LUH prototype took its first flight on September 6, 2016 and the second prototype flew on May 22, 2017.

The state-run aerospace firm has an "in principle" order for 187 LUH, including 126 for Indian Army and 61 for Indian Air Force.

The helicopter is being indigenously developed by HAL to meet the requirements for both military and civil operations.

The chopper can be deployed for reconnaissance (military observation), surveillance and as a light transport helicopter. It can fly at 220km per hour and at a maximum altitude of 6.5km, with a 400kg payload.

  

Top Stories


Leave a Comment

Title: Bengaluru: HAL test flies light copter up to 6km altitude



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.