“Speeding up LCA deliveries”

In an interview with the Vayu Aerospace Review, R Madhavan, CMD HAL has stated that the PSU has made preparations for production of LCAs (FOC-standard) after receiving the SOP. Meanwhile, HAL has produced 12 LCA Mk.I IOC standard fighters so far with the balance to be delivered within the current FY. The CMD also comments on other HAL programmes including the LCH, LUH, Ka-226T, IMRH and the futuristic IRTA.

VAYU : There are reports about HAL receiving ‘Limited’ clearance from CEMILAC for production of LCAs in FOC standard, you having been quoted on receiving the documents and drawings. What will be the schedule for their deliveries?

HAL : The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) handed over the Drawing Applicability List abbvvcnnd Equipment Standard of Preparation (SOP) documents to HAL on 31 December 2018, duly cleared by the Centre of Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) to go ahead with the production of FOC standard aircraft. HAL has established a manufacturing facility for production of eight aircraft per annum. Currently, HAL is producing LCA IOC standard aircraft for which IOC was received from ADA in December 2013. To date, HAL has produced 12 LCA Mk.I IOC–standard fighters. The balance four IOC–standard LCAs are under production and will progressively be delivered in the current financial year.

HAL has also made preparations for the production of LCA (FOC) standard aircraft after receiving the SOP and has planned to deliver all 16 FOC–standard LCAs progressively. For the eight trainer aircraft (four each in IOC and FOC standard), the SOP is yet to be released for their production.

So as to speed up production of LCAs, an investment of Rs 1381 crores has been sanctioned by the Government for establishment of facilities for ramping up production rate from 8 to 16 aircraft per year. Additionally, a parallel production line has also been established at Aircraft Division Bengaluru to support an increased rate of production. In addition, major assembly modules have been outsourced to private partners like DTL, Bengaluru (front fuselage), Alpha Tocol, Bengaluru ( rear fuselage), VEM Technologies, Hyderabad (center fuselage) and L&T, Coimbatore (wings) to enhance the production rate.

VAYU : The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programme is making rapid progress with armament and other on-going trials. What is status of the programme? When are deliveries to commence ? What is the order book position?

HAL : After successful completion of flight testing of the LCH basic performance, rocket firing trials and turret gun firing trials have been carried out. The helicopter participated in IAF’s ‘Iron Fist 2016’ exercise in March 2016 and displayed rocket firing capabilities in its

weaponised configuration. The IOC for LCH was accorded on 26 August 2017 in presence of the Defence Minister and production activities have been launched, awaiting firm order.

The LCH has achieved another milestone, successfully carrying out air-to-air missile firing on a moving aerial target on 11 January 2019, the tests conducted at the integrated test range at Chandipur, Odisha. It was a flawless mission that achieved direct hit on the aerial target. With this, the LCH has successfully completed all weapon integration tests and is ready for operational induction.

HAL has submitted its quotation against the RFP for supply of 15 limited series production (LSP) helicopters which is presently under consideration.

VAYU : The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is also achieving several milestones like the GTV - endurance run, shake tests etc. Kindly indicate status of this project and future plans.

HAL : The LUH is a single-engine, three-ton weight class helicopter with Glass Cockpit and Multi-Function Displays. The LUH will be employed for the Reconnaissance and Surveillance role, the helicopter capable of flying at 220 kmph, with service ceiling of 6.5 km and a range of 350 km having 500 kg payload. The LUH has also recently achieved an important milestone, flying upto 6 km altitude in Bengaluru on 7 December, 2018, as part of envelope expansion tests. Maiden flight of third prototype (PT3) of the LUH took place on 14 December 2018.

As part of LUH development activities, HAL has built three prototypes, one Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) and one Break Away Fuselage (BAF). The three prototypes have cumulatively logged more than 170 flights, extensive flight testing being carried out to establish helicopter performance parameters. Sea level and hot weather trials have been completed as part of the development flight process. System level flight testing is under progress presently which will be followed by cold weather, hot weather, and high altitude trials.

Series manufacture is planned at the ‘greenfield’ Helicopter Manufacturing Facility coming up at Tumakuru for which the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister on 3 January 2016, with further activities in progression. HAL flew the LUH from the facility at Tumakuru on 29 December 2018 and also successfully met the timeline of 2018.

VAYU : HAL has been chosen as manufacturing partner by the Russians for execution of orders received by them on the Ka-226T programme. Kindly share some details on the way forward in this programme.

HAL : The IGA signed on 25 December 2015 between the Governments of India and Russian Federation envisages supply of 200 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters to the Indian defence services (Army & IAF) through a Joint Venture (JV) company in India. Accordingly, a joint venture company Indo-Russian Helicopter Limited ( IRHL) was incorporated on 2 May 2017 with the following stakeholding : HAL 50.5 % ; Russian Helicopters 42 % ; Rosoboronexport 7.5 %. Following the RFI of 9 May 2017,