Light Utility Helicopter to replace Cheetah and Chetak helicopters

The Light Utility Helicopter to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters achieved an important milestone of flying at 6 km altitude in Bengaluru recently, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said Monday. The helicopter was flown by chief test pilot Wg Cdr (Retd) Unni K Pillai and test pilot, Wg Cdr (Retd) Anil Bhambhani, a HAL statement said.

Exuding confidence that the LUH was fit to undertake high altitude cold weather trials planned in January 2019, HAL said "the flight was carried out under the envelope expansion tests and flying at 6 km altitude is a critical requirement towards the certification of LUH.

The helicopter exhibited satisfactory performance and handling qualities." The LUH is a 3-ton class new generation helicopter designed and developed by the HAL's Rotary Wing Research and Design Center (RWR&DC). The First flight of LUH PT-1 was carried out on September 6, 2016, and the second prototype flew on May 22, 2017, HAL said, adding, it has, in principle, order for 187 LUHs that includes 126 for the Indian Army and 61 for IAF. 

(With inputs from agencies.)