Regarding the successful trials of Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in Ladakh and Siachen, can you elaborate on how the trials went? What went into the preparations and the challenges you faced?

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed Hot and High Altitude trials of LUH and all the trial activities went well, as planned. LUH was transported for trials through C-17 aircraft to Leh and back. The IAF had allocated a dedicated C-17 for LUH team to travel safely owing to the pandemic situation.

A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3,300m) including envelope expansion, performance and flying qualities. LUH lifted off from Leh and demonstrated its hot and high hover performance at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) ALG at around 5,000m.

Subsequently, the helicopter demonstrated its payload capability on Siachen glacier. During the demonstration trials, user pilots landed the helicopter at the highest helipads of Amar and Sonam on Siachen. All planned tests were successfully demonstrated.

Further, Air Force Station, Leh-Ladakh extended its support to operate at their base and complete the trials at the Siachen glacier. The Army Aviation Squadron, Leh provided ALH support helicopter throughout the trials.

High altitude trial is a critical testing for certification but we were fully prepared and confident of its success.

Have you applied for the FOC? When are you expecting to get it?

CEMILAC accorded a basic version of IOC for the IAF on 7 February 2020 during DefExpo 2020. All necessary User Evaluation Trials like Night Flying and Slope Landing have been successfully completed with the Indian Army towards obtaining IOC for the army version. After the present repeat trials at high altitude as per the army’s requirement, the IOC is expected from the ar