UPSC Current affairs - HAL to Supply 12 Light Utility Helicopters to Armed Forces

HAL to Supply 12 Light Utility Helicopters to Armed Forces

For Prelims

About Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

  • It has been developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Center (RWR&DC) one of the R&D sections of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • The LUH is expected to replace India’s ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
  • Though indigenously developed, the single-engine LUH is powered by the Ardiden 1U engine from Safran, a French aerospace company.
  • The LUH can operate at 20,000ft above sea level. This is a critical requirement since the major theatre of operation for the LUH is going to be at the high-altitude bases of Himalayas.

 

About Light Combat Helicopters (LCH)
  • It has been designed and manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a multi role attack Helicopter specifically suited to Indian needs.
  • LCH has been procured by both Indian Army as well as Indian Airforce.
  • It has the highest flight ceiling among all attack helicopters and was the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen.
  • It is a dual engine helicopter powered by two Shakti engines co developed by HAL and Safran.
About Apache AH-64E
  • Apache AH-64E is a multi-role attack Helicopter built by USA’s Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS).
  • It was developed in the 1970s and has been proven its effectiveness in multiple conflicts throughout the world.
  • It has been a mainstay of the United States Armed Forces for decades and it continues to be so currently as well.
  • Indian Airforce in 2010 had ordered 22 Apache AH64Es and received the first one in 2019.
  • In India they are manufactured by Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint collaboration between the Tata group of Companies and Boeing with 90% parts sourced from Indian suppliers.

Source The Hindu

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