HAL LCH completes hot weather trials
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has successfully completed hot weather flight trials at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the company announced on 26 June.
The TD-3 prototype of the LCH was used to conduct the trials over almost a week. The tests covered performance assessment, a temperature survey of the hydraulic system and engine bay, low speed handling, quality and load handling and height-velocity diagram establishment.
T. Suvarana Raju, chairman, HAL, said: 'Test flights were carried out in the temperature range of 39 to 42 degree Celsius. These were done with the involvement of customer pilots from Indian Air Force and Army in presence of representatives from RCMA and DGAQA.'
The LCH twin-engine combat helicopter completed cold weather testing at Leh in February 2015. It is expected to reach Initial Operational Clearance and begin series production by the end of the year. It is designed to carry out air defence, scout, anti-tank, combat support and search and rescue missions.
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