HAL’s Light Combat Helicopter Successfully Completes Air to Air Missile Firing Trials

The copter is equipped with helmet mounted sight and a forward-looking infrared sighting system

New Delhi: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) on Thursday successfully carried out air to air missile firing on a moving aerial target, news agency ANI reported.

Other weapons on the LCH include a 20mm Turret gun and 70 mm Rockets, the firing trials of which have already been completed last year, the tweet further said.

The HAL designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter(LCH) has successfully carried out air to air missile firing on a moving aerial target. Other weapons on the LCH include a 20mm Turret gun and 70 mm Rockets, the firing trials of which have already been completed last year. pic.twitter.com/r67SXfLLq5

— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2019

Talking on the trials, HAL chief R Madhavan said, “This is the first time in the country that a helicopter has carried out air-to-air missile engagement. None of the helicopters with the military services in the country has demonstrated such a capability. With this, LCH has successfully completed all weapon integration tests and is ready for operational induction.”

The copter is equipped with helmet mounted sight and a forward-looking infrared sighting system, allowing its pilots to detect and destroy any target on the ground or in the air.

The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the procurement of the first batch of 15 LCHs — 10 for IAF and five for Indian Army, HAL added.

Capable of operating from dispersed locations and flying at ultra-low levels, LCH can now effectively provide a protective umbrella from all aerial threats. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded approval for procurement of initial batch of 15 LCHs, 10 for IAF and 5 for the Army