BY : TNN

India's first indigenous dedicated attack gunship, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), is finally slated to take to the skies in March
next year after a few false starts over the last couple of years.

"After the first prototype's maiden flight in March 2009, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) says LCH should be ready for the initial operational clearance (IOC) by December 2010,'' a senior defence ministry official told TOI.

With the final operational clearance (FOC) a year or so after that, the newly revised timeframes hold that the 5.5-tonne LCH should be ready for induction into IAF by 2012-2013.

The project development cost of LCH is currently pegged at only Rs 376.67 crore since it's basically a derivative of the Dhruv ALH (advanced light helicopter) already being inducted into the armed forces.

The twin-engine LCH will be armed with a 20mm turret twin-barrel gun, cluster bombs, rocket pods as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Designed for anti-tank and anti-infantry roles with a maximum speed of 275 kmph, it will also be capable of high-altitude warfare since its operational ceiling will be 16,000 to 18,000 feet.

"The LCH will incorporate a number of stealth features and crash-worthy landing gear for better survivability. The LCH will have a narrow fuselage, with two crew stations,'' said an official.

IAF has projected an initial requirement of 65 LCHs, also fitted with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare equipment and electro-optics, to bolster its attack helicopter fleet.

The LCH project, of course, has seen Israeli and French collaboration, with the former helping with avionics and the latter with engines and missiles.

The only dedicated attack helicopter in the IAF fleet at present is the Russian-origin Mi-35, with its two squadrons at Suratgarh and Pathankot being upgraded with Israeli avionics and night-fighting capabilities.

Apart from issuing a global tender for procuring 22 new attack helicopters, IAF is also on course to acquire 80 Russian Mi-17 medium-lift choppers in a weaponised version for around $1 billion.

Then, of course, the weapon system integration on the Dhruv -- the armed forces have ordered a total of 168 ALHs till now -- at a cost of Rs 710.21 crore is also in progress.

"The firing trials of Dhruv's turret gun have already begun. Rocket and missile trials will take place soon, with the IOC for the weaponised Dhruv projected for December 2009,'' said the official.