HAL Successfully Tests Light Utility Helicopter

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 6 September 2016 successfully completed test flight of indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Bengaluru.
•    The HAL LUH is a light, single-engine helicopter that is powered by the Safran HE Ardiden-1U engine.
•    In addition to two pilots, the helicopter can fly six passengers at sea level, with load capacity reducing with altitude.
•    The LUH’s engine delivers 750 kilowatts of power, permits flight operations at as high as 6500 metres.
•    Limited series production will be done in Bengaluru, and the 610-acre Tumakuru unit is slated to commence production in 2018-19.  
•    The Tumakuru plant will ship about 30 LUHs annually, starting in 2019-20.
•    In phase II, the production will be ramped up to 60 helicopters per year.
•    HAL intends to speed up flight-testing of the LUH by distributing it over three prototypes.
•    HAL hopes to obtain initial operational certification by end-2017.