Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has tested the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in the Bengaluru, which is under development for the armed forces. The LUH flew for 15 minutes.
The LUH can seat six passengers and two crew. It has a range of 350 km and is powered by the HAL-Safran HE Ardiden-1U engine.
Civil variants of the LUH can also be used for ferrying VVIPs, as air ambulance, for policing and to search, rescue and evacuate people.
With the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters ageing, the three Forces need 200-400 of this class for surveillance, reconnaissance, quick response, special operations and evacuations.
This is the third indigenous helicopter product the stables of HAL after the ALH and LCH [Advanced Light Helicopter and the Light Combat Helicopter].
