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

LCH packs a punch with induction at striking distance Anantha Krishnan M FEBRUARY 16, 2019 08:16 AM ...

Read more at: LCH packs a punch with induction at striking distance


LCH has such an efficient navigation system that enables to deliver the weapons with accuracy measured in milliradians. Be it day or night, you can rely on LCH auto-pilot, while the optical
devices ensure you pick up the target at ease...


7 LSPs getting ready Seven LSP platforms are at various stages of manufacturing at the assembly han...
 
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Okay, now it all makes sense.

7 LSPs with deliveries starting this year, followed by production of 15 IOC models.
 
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Falcon said:
Official contract by MoD. Please be very specific. IA had wanted 60+. GoI only agreed for 15!
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It's LSP order, full order after that.

Its better to fix all the issues by the time of full production. A lesson we learned during ALH development.
 
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Falcon said:
Official contract by MoD. Please be very specific. IA had wanted 60+. GoI only agreed for 15!
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At 15, it's already a big order for LSP. LCA had just 7. But I suppose the order is big because the plan is to split it between two services.

If IA wanted 60+, that's actually less. But I suppose IA will eventually operate 100-150. The production should also be viable with 200 orders in total between all three services.
 
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randomradio said:
At 15, it's already a big order for LSP. LCA had just 7. But I suppose the order is big because the plan is to split it between two services.

If IA wanted 60+, that's actually less. But I suppose IA will eventually operate 100-150. The production should also be viable with 200 orders in total between all three services.
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Anyways, the good news is that Rudra mk 4 is being tested extensively to support operations in "higher reaches" of Indian frontiers and the preliminary results indicate an awesome performance.

On a side note: Brimstone for Hawks already with IAF was an idea floating around, any clue?

Tagging @Sancho on this one .. to carry forward our CAS/air interdiction discussion.
 
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Falcon said:
Anyways, the good news is that Rudra mk 4 is being tested extensively to support operations in "higher reaches" of Indian frontiers and the preliminary results indicate an awesome performance.
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Brilliant. So we can be sure the LCH would do even better then?

On a side note: Brimstone for Hawks already with IAF was an idea floating around, any clue?
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AFAIK, all the Hawk related discussions are on hold because BAE is charging too much for an order of 20 Hawks. Plus no money anyway. At $130k a pop, Brimstone can be quite expensive. The upcoming indigenous SANT could be a much better option, if you ask me.
 
Faced with a demand for a discount, sources say MBDA reworked its commercials, returning to the MoD with a lowered cost package in August 2018 — an offer that stands valid till the end of June this year. That gives the Indian government four months before it needs to take a decision, considering that the Army’s Rudras (and Light Combat Helicopter prototypes) all sport the Mistral-specific ATAM launcher that have been procured and integrated at significant cost — and because it is unclear if MBDA will be in a position to extend the validity of its bid without a cost escalation beyond June.

So that’s where things stand now — a four month deadline that stretches into India’s election season, a factor that adds another element of unpredictability on whether a deal can or will be concluded. Meanwhile, in August 2018, HAL ordered a second batch of an unspecified number of Mistral-specific ATAM launchers for the Rudras it was continuing to build for the Indian Army. The Army currently has nearly 40 Rudras across three operational squadrons, with plans to raise four more squadrons for a total fleet of 78 helicopters.

stated requirement for 124 ATGM launchers and 1,362 missiles

https://www.livefistdefence.com/201...ging-the-arming-of-indias-rudra-choppers.html

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Article from 2008...

India delays LCH first flight to March 2009

They were expecting a first flight in 2009 and achieving IOC by December 2010. :ROFLMAO:

In reality, the first flight (originally meant to happen in 2008) was pushed to 2010 and IOC came a full 7 years later in August 2017.

That said, it's frankly depressing to stumble across and read these old articles, and then feel frustrated looking at how little progress has actually been made in TEN FARKING YEARS. How many of that article's original readers would have thought that over 10 years later, they'd still be waiting to see a few Limited Production models of the LCH flying...let alone entering operational service or get FOC.

Tejas is the just the flagship of the Indian DPSUs' delayed ventures. But there are many other ships in that fleet which we often ignore.

@Falcon @randomradio @Milspec
 
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Parthu said:
Article from 2008...

India delays LCH first flight to March 2009

They were expecting a first flight in 2009 and achieving IOC by December 2010. :ROFLMAO:

In reality, the first flight (originally meant to happen in 2008) was pushed to 2010 and IOC came a full 7 years later in August 2017.

That said, it's frankly depressing to stumble across and read these old articles, and then feel frustrated looking at how little progress has actually been made in TEN FARKING YEARS. How many of that article's original readers would have thought that over 10 years later, they'd still be waiting to see a few Limited Production models of the LCH flying...let alone entering operational service or get FOC.

Tejas is the just the flagship of the Indian DPSUs' delayed ventures. But there are many other ships in that fleet which we often ignore.

@Falcon @randomradio @Milspec
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Yeah, they used to make up stories about their schedule earlier. It's far more realistic now.
 
Parthu said:
That, brother, we will find out only 10 years in the future.
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That may be true, but they have changed the way they announce projects. No more randomly revealing dates publicly without achieving technological milestones first.

For example, earlier they would say something will take 3 years to finish, but they announce that before having started work. And once they get all the approvals and funding, even before starting actual work, those 3 years would have passed. And then, they achieve the first technological milestone, only after which they realise it will take X amount of years, which could be more or less than 3 years. So instead they will now announce dates after a milestone is achieved.

Another problem is media speculation. When a scientist says something will take 10 years to complete, the media decides it's going to be ready in 2029, starting from this year. But the scientist was actually talking about 10 years from a start date that's yet to be decided, and this could even be 2 or 3 or 10 years in the future.

Just saying that ridiculous dates like before are over. Also do note that I'm talking about DRDO. HAL, ISRO etc are still living in that same old lala land.
 
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Army to equip attack copters with fire-control radars

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30

The Indian Army’s attack helicopters are to be equipped with airborne fire control radars that will overcome the operational limitations being imposed by the present systems being used and consequently enhance their combat potential.
This will require a comprehensive upgrade by retrofitting the required hardware and the avionics suite and integrating those with the existing systems and weapons package.

The Army is open to acquisition from indigenous or foreign vendors, sources said.
At present, attack helicopters are equipped only with electro-optical systems and infra-red pods for detecting targets, which have limited operational capability in low visibility conditions or bad weather, sources said.

This, according to an Army Aviation Corps officer, reduces the effective employment of attack helicopters.

The Aviation Corps fleet comprises the indigenous Dhruv as well as the French origin Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. Rudra and Lancer, the weaponised versions of Dhruv and Cheetah, respectively, have also started entering service, while some Chetaks have also been modified to launch anti-tank missiles.

The Light Combat Helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is undergoing trials and is also expected to be added to the fleet.

Besides battlefield combat support, Army Aviation units are also mandated for combat search and rescue, troop transportation, logistics, communication and medical evacuation.

The Army also relies on the ageing Soviet origin Mi-25/35 gunship for providing close air support to manoeuvring formations, but these are operated by the Air Force.

Similarly, the US made AH-64 Apache attack helicopters that are expected to be inducted shortly, though under the operational control of the Army, will be operated by the Air Force.

The Apache is already equipped with a fire control radar to track multiple targets and guide missiles, giving it a distinct advantage. Such systems are also in vogue with other modern attack helicopters.

Army to equip attack copters with fire-control radars
 
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