Attack Helicopters of IAF - LCH Prachand, AH-64E Apache : Updates & Discussions

Yes, the LCH needs a full EW suite now that she's entering service. We should also be looking to develop an upgraded Mk2 version. My wishlist:

New EOTS - maybe something derived from the CPS on the Arjun or maybe something from Tonbo
Updated engine- HAL HTSE 1200
5 blade main rotor with swept wing tips like on the AW101.
MUM-T
Reprofiled 'low tail' rear fuselage, reducing the size of that ugly rear landing strut
Reprofiled cockpit canopy
Conformal fuel tanks like the Apache
Expanded weapons like ULPGM, Dhruvastra, even a low cost cruise missile (powered SAAW)
Gun fire detection system
SATCOM
DIRCM
We should be looking to turn it into a SEAD/DEAD asset
 
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Ashwin said:
Explain, which DIRCM, EW suite and ECM jammer do they have?
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Dhruv and Rudra come with Saab's IDAS 2. The internal suite is passive and mainly meant to employ CMs. Phoren jammer can be carried externally on Rudra.

Prachanda is expected to come with all of the above, DRDO-designed. The jammer developed for this will equip other helicopters too, replacing the phoren maal.

DRDO-designed DIRCM is also in the works for ALH.
pib.gov.in

MoD approves 107 Major Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems for Indigenisation

In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by DPSUs und
pib.gov.in
 
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randomradio said:
Dhruv and Rudra come with Saab's IDAS 2. The internal suite is passive and mainly meant to employ CMs. Phoren jammer can be carried externally on Rudra.

Prachanda is expected to come with all of the above, DRDO-designed. The jammer developed for this will equip other helicopters too, replacing the phoren maal.

DRDO-designed DIRCM is also in the works for ALH.
pib.gov.in

MoD approves 107 Major Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems for Indigenisation

In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by DPSUs und
pib.gov.in
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That's not what you said.

None of our helicopters have DIRCM, not even under trials. Of course everything can be there in the future.
 
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Ashwin said:
That's not what you said.

None of our helicopters have DIRCM, not even under trials. Of course everything can be there in the future.
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ECM is already there, and it's advanced. It's not permanently mounted, similar to MKI. Prachand's ECM will come mounted.

Prachand's DIRCM is under development, meant for FOC release. It's not a "can be there in the future" issue, it's part of the program.

Prachand's getting all the new goodies first, and then the others, particularly Rudra.

The only difference is Apache got it last year, Prachand is in the process of getting it 'cause the entire helicopter is still in development. Had the program delivered much faster, we would have put Saab's stuff on it.
 
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randomradio said:
ECM is already there, and it's advanced. It's not permanently mounted, similar to MKI. Prachand's ECM will come mounted.

Prachand's DIRCM is under development, meant for FOC release. It's not a "can be there in the future" issue, it's part of the program.

Prachand's getting all the new goodies first, and then the others, particularly Rudra.

The only difference is Apache got it last year, Prachand is in the process of getting it 'cause the entire helicopter is still in development. Had the program delivered much faster, we would have put Saab's stuff on it.
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Again, none of them have DIRCM.

Prachand doesn't have anything today, let alone DIRCM. Let's not count our chickens before they hatch.
 
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Saw one LCH flying today, flying in behind with 2 ALH, one of those is probably a mkIV. This machine is very slim and you won't know/hear its coming until its quite close (compared to ALH, Rudras etc). Green and black colored so likely Army, part of Eastern Command maybe.
 
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Lolwa said:
Prachand is still not mature yet.

Also in the north east and ladakh sector. More Apaches need to be procured. Atleast 80-100 apaches with longbows directing 300-400 prachands.
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As you go high, no other Chopper in the world is as effective as Prachand. It has a very high T/W ratio and you can effectively use it in all our possible conflict zones. Chinese Choppers can not operate at such height. Beyond 12000 ft, effectiveness of even Apache will reduce. If HAL's 1200 KW engine becomes operational and we start using it in Prachand and Dhruv, they shall become more effective. I do not know when HTSE 1200 will become operational. Prachand can be made far more lethal with introduction of new engine, integrating Israeli weapon and new age electronics.
 
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HariPrasad said:
As you go high, no other Chopper in the world is as effective as Prachand. It has a very high T/W ratio and you can effectively use it in all our possible conflict zones. Chinese Choppers can not operate at such height. Beyond 12000 ft, effectiveness of even Apache will reduce. If HAL's 1200 KW engine becomes operational and we start using it in Prachand and Dhruv, they shall become more effective. I do not know when HTSE 1200 will become operational. Prachand can be made far more lethal with introduction of new engine, integrating Israeli weapon and new age electronics.
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What we need is not engine power but electronic warfare capabilities, decoys and nlos munitions and networked warfare on prachands. The z-10ME of the Chinese is far more mature and has more overall features than the prachand (which is understandable since the Chinese have had more time with the platform).
 
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Ashwin said:
No need to get philosophical. Name itself was given during induction.
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And the name Tejas was given by Vajpayee. Just because an early induction has happened doesn't mean the full configuration has been released. MKI's full configuration was released only in 2007 in the Mk3 form, that was its FOC. The F-35's full configuration release is also a few years away.
 
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HariPrasad said:
As you go high, no other Chopper in the world is as effective as Prachand. It has a very high T/W ratio and you can effectively use it in all our possible conflict zones. Chinese Choppers can not operate at such height. Beyond 12000 ft, effectiveness of even Apache will reduce. If HAL's 1200 KW engine becomes operational and we start using it in Prachand and Dhruv, they shall become more effective. I do not know when HTSE 1200 will become operational. Prachand can be made far more lethal with introduction of new engine, integrating Israeli weapon and new age electronics.
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Apache is necessary too, for anti-armor operations on the plains. While the IAF can make do with 1 or 2 squadrons, the IA needs a lot. So a minimum of 2 or 3 squadrons will be inducted.
 
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randomradio said:
Apache is necessary too, for anti-armor operations on the plains. While the IAF can make do with 1 or 2 squadrons, the IA needs a lot. So a minimum of 2 or 3 squadrons will be inducted.
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Ture that.
Lolwa said:
What we need is not engine power but electronic warfare capabilities, decoys and nlos munitions and networked warfare on prachands. The z-10ME of the Chinese is far more mature and has more overall features than the prachand (which is understandable since the Chinese have had more time with the platform).
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Z10 can not fly in Himalaya. What can you do with those electronics? I disagree that Z10 has more features.
 
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