The Times of India reported that the light multi-role helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Airlines recently carried out about 10 days of low temperature, extreme climate and high altitude flight tests in the foothills of the Himalayas. Bangalore-based Hindustan Airlines said the test was carried out in Leh, where the altitude was about 3,300 meters and the temperature during the test was about minus 5 degrees Celsius. During the test, projects such as flight envelope expansion test flight, performance test and flight quality analysis were implemented.
【Luh in test】
Hindustan Airlines said that after Luh took off from Leh airport, it implemented a high-altitude hover at the Dorabergyur Advance Airport opened by the Indian army, with a maximum hovering height of 5,000 meters above sea level.
The LUH helicopter also demonstrated its high-altitude payload capability in the Siachen Glacier. During the test flight, the pilots landed the helicopter on the tarmac of Amar and Sonham, the highest apron in the hands of the Indian army.
"Hindustan Airlines has once again demonstrated its capabilities in autonomous design and development," Hindustan Airlines said in a statement. Madhavan, marketing director at Hindustan Airlines, said the Army-type LUH now has initial combat capabilities.
【Luh painted by the Air Force】
Arupp Chatlej, director of engineering and research and development at Hindustan Aviation, said the performance of the LUH helicopter and its systems was satisfactory and met the user's requirements. All the tests that were implemented as planned were successful.
The flight test was conducted by a joint military-local test team, with one pilot each from the Indian Air Force and Army, and representatives of the Indian Army's equipment certification body also participated in the test.
【Early testing of luh】
Hindustan Airlines said the Indian Military Airworthiness and Certification Centre issued an initial operational license for the basic luh on February 7, 2020, but the license at the time was only for the Air Force version.
The article said that the Indian army has been facing off against China and Pakistan in the southern foothills of the Himalayas for many years. Due to the harsh road conditions, the Indian army attaches great importance to the research and development of helicopter equipment, especially the high altitude performance of helicopters. Although the combat capabilities of many helicopter models developed by India itself are incomplete, their ability to take off and land at high altitudes is relatively prominent, which is one of the important material bases for indian military operations.
(Author: Kong Xin Copyrighted works Reprinted without permission)