HAL’s LCH prototype fires rockets
A HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in TD-3 weaponised configuration has successfully fired 70mm rockets in testing, HAL announced on 14 March.
This marks the latest milestone in the LCH programme, and follows the completion of basic performance flight testing, cold weather outstation trials, hot and high altitude testing and hot weather testing.
The LCH TD-3 features a solid state digital video recording system, glass cockpit software, electo-optical system and 70mm rocket system.
T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL, said: ‘The initial rocket firing trials have been carried out at Jaisalmer, establishing satisfactory integration of hardware and software, structural integrity and safe separation of rocket ammunition. Integration of weapons such as rocket, turret gun (20mm) and air-to-air missile on LCH will further continue. These trials give us confidence for carrying out certification firing trials planned during April-May 2016.’
LCH is a 5.5t helicopter with two Shakti engines; armour protection; self-sealing fuel tanks; tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear; day/night targeting systems and an electro-optical pod that consists of a CCD camera/FLIR/laser range finder/laser designator. It also features a self-protection suite consisting of radar/laser missile warning systems and a countermeasures dispensing system.
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