India conducts trials for indigenous combat helicopter at Siachen

According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, it is the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen

India said on Thursday that it had successfully completed trials of its first indigenous combat helicopter at Leh, near Siachen, The Economic Times reported.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out hot and high-altitude trials of its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) TD3 at temperatures ranging from 13 to 27 degree centigrade with pilots from the Indian Air Force, Army and representatives from CEMILAC and DGAQA participating in the trials.

"These seasonal trials - including cold weather trials carried out at Leh during February this year - have been completed as part of the certification process. The flight trials at Leh have established hover performance and low speed handling characteristics of the helicopter under extreme weather conditions at different altitudes,” said T. Suvarna Raju, CMD of HAL.

"During the trials, the helicopter and systems performed satisfactorily. LCH also has proven its capability to land and take off at Forward Landing Base in Siachen. LCH is the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen."

According to HAL, tests during the trails included examination and validation of the helicopter's flight limitations in ‘Hot-and-High’ conditions. The trials also tested the landing and take-offs of the chopper with heavy load of weapons and fuel.

HAL claims that after the latest tests, its helicopter can operate at extreme altitude and relatively high temperature – ranging from Siachen to the upper Indus river and its tributaries.