Second LCH prototype completes successful sea-level trials

Photos: HAL HQ

 By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The second prototype (TD-2) of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) successfully completed the sea-level trials at Air Force Station, Tambaram in Chennai, last month. A product of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCH -- painted in camouflage colours -- had the trials from October 28 to November 23. The extensive trials were carried out to validate the design improvements implemented on the prototype based on the feedback from initial sea-level trials carried out during June 2012.
A company official told Express that a total of 32 flights were carried out covering helicopter performance, load measurement, handling qualities for various all-up weights (with external stores installed), bank turns and spot turns, low speed handling, single engine performance and auto-rotation. “Considerable improvements have been observed in the performance parameters in comparison with the earlier sea-level trials. All the test points planned were completed successfully with no major snags observed. Representatives of customers and certifying authorities were present during the trials,” the official said.
Based on the feedback on various tests done on LCH TD-1, the designers have gone for optimum transmission, modified rotor system and additional weight-reduction on TD-2. “The TD-1 had dummy weapons and sensors. Now, the TD-2 will prepare itself for hot weather trials and we will integrate mission sensors and weapons,” the official added.
Confirming the trials, HAL chairman R K Tyagi said that the LCH programme is steadily progressing as per the script. “One phase of trials got over in Chennai and now we are looking forward to other critical missions. The lessons learnt from the Dhruv experience is coming handy to our designers, engineers and Test pilots,” Tyagi said.
Since its first flight in June 2011, the LCH TD-2 has so for logged 96 flying hours (146 sorties). The LCH first prototype (TD1) had its maiden flight on March 29, 2010 and has to its credit over 140 sorties. HAL is in the process of accelerating the prototype development flight testing of LCH to achieve the proposed initial operational clearance (IOC) by December 2015. The company now plans to add another prototype (LCH TD-3) to the flight-line by next year.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Just Loving It! Here Comes LCH TD-2!

Snapshots from LCH TD-2 maiden flight in Bangalore on 28 June 2011. Photos: Planefinder

HAL's chopper programmes on right track: P.S. Rajan

P. Soundara Rajan

A day after Tarmak007 posted  LCH's TD-2 Silent Maiden Flight (see the post below), HAL's chopper complex head P.S. Rajan said that 'picking up momentum' is the key to projects like LCH and ALH. 

Rajan told Tarmak007 on July 10 that HAL's chopper projects are all moving in the right direction now. "I am not doing anything great, but sticking to the basics and facilitating the needs of various teams with me (at Helicopter Complex)," Rajan said.

A blue-eyed-boy of former HAL chief A.K. Baweja and the right hand man of the current head A. Nayak, the chopper complex chief said he would take one step at a time. "I don't want to give any unrealistic figures and time-lines. I strongly believe that the IOC for LCH would only happen around February 2013. The TD-3 will also take time as it would  be a production variant and we are keen to hand over the best machine to IAF," Rajan said in his inimitable style, to queries.

So far, so good! Only time will tell whether Rajan's hands-on approach in tackling issues would fetch rich dividends to HAL's ill-fated Helicopter Complex. If insiders were to be believed, he has already made a slight difference to the work culture and 'things are moving.'

If it's true, then it's a good sign for ALH future variants, LCH, LUH and other rotary platforms set to fly out of HAL hangars.

LCH TD-2 makes a silent maiden flight; platform incorporates lots of new features

The second technology demonstrator (TD-2) of India’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) took to the skies for the first time on June 28 in Bangalore. 

"On June 28, the pilots did some very limited manoeuvres, though not much was experimented. The maiden flight was limited to low-speed testing. They (pilots) will now take the platform and fly over the runway to check the endurance and eventually will expand the full envelope. The designers, engineers and pilots are all delighted by this significant development,” the official said.

“The pilots (Unni Pillai & Hari Nair) have given some observations and we are working on the same. These are development flights and we will address all the teething problems that arise,” the official added

Meanwhile, an insider said that LCH TD-2 boasts of lots of new features as compared to TD-1. “Lots of new systems are onboard. The platform is lighter and we have modified the gearbox. Even the tail-rotor control system is different. The doors for the pilots have been modified for better structural clearance. The cockpit remains the same and we are constantly modifying the chopper based on the inputs from the pilots,” she said.

She also added that the TD-1 has completed 70 hours of flying so far and the TD-3 will be very closer to the production version, incorporating some more changes. “Any new project is a huge challenge for us. With so much stigma attached to the Helicopter Division in the past, we are happy that LCH is gifting us some inspiring moments now. This is years of hard work and we are all happy that finally things are moving,” she said.

When asked why HAL chose to be silent on the first flight of LCH TD-2, an insider said: "We are used to it now." HAL's chopper complex in-charge P.S. Rajan was not available for any comment.

The LCH TD-2 was the main draw at Aero India 2011 wrapped in digital camouflage paint -- a technology mastered by India recently. Incidentally, LCH will be the first Indian Air Force asset to don this new paint scheme. 

Three cheers to all engineers, designers, test pilots and youngsters associated with LCH programme! Good job by teams lead by Srinath, Sampath and Unni!

A new series soon on Tarmak007

TV-007 tracks LCH: Hari & the Hunter

Video: TV-007 

(During the shoot, the blogger and the fellow photographer from Aviation Week A.R. Jose almost got blown away from the helipad when the LCH took-off. Jose tells the blogger later that God is Great, if not he would have got blown away and left hanging from a nearby hoarding crying for help. Below a photo of Team LCH.)

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Tarmak007 Videos (TV-007) ground run: Close encounter with a black beauty!

(Tarmak007 Videos -- TV-007)