Third Prototype of HAL-built LUH makes Maiden Flight

Another successful milestone gives boost to the induction of Light Utility Helicopter into the armed forces

After successfully flying at 16 km altitude recently, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) project of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has achieved a new milestone as the third prototype (PT3) made its maiden flight on 14 December 2018. The chopper was flown by Wg Cdr Anil Bhambhani (Retd) and Gp Capt. M R Anand V M (Retd).

According to a press release by HAL, the flight was flawless and the third prototype would augment development flight testing in conjunction with other two Prototypes towards certification. Based on the feedback from flight testing of PT1 and PT2, PT3 is built to the standard of deliverable configuration.




CMD-HAL, R Madhavan, says, with this achievement, LUH is now close to production clearance and HAL is confident of meeting requirements of the armed forces.

The successful completion of first flight of third prototype of LUH is a quantum leap and will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah/Chetak, says Director (Engg., R&D) HAL, Arup Chatterjee.

The LUH is a 3-ton class new generation single engine helicopter indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWR&DC) of HAL. First flight of LUH PT-1 was carried on 6 September 2016 and the second Prototype flew on 22 May 2017.  The high-altitude cold weather trials of LUH are planned in January 2019.