LCH to be Powered by Turbomeca’s Ardiden Engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) light combat helicopter (LCH) will be powered by the Ardiden 1H1 engine from Turbomeca (Safran group). This new twin-engine military aircraft is being showcased at Aero India 2015.

Turbomeca will also power the new HAL-designed light utility helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft under development, with the Ardiden 1U engine. Featuring state-of-the-art technologies, the Ardiden 1 family develops 1,400shp. The Ardiden 1H1 variant was EASA-certified in 2009 and over 250 units have already been co-produced, under the ‘Shakti’ designation with HAL. Ardiden 1U/ Shakti 1U on LUH will allow the helicopter to fly at 6,500 m = 20,000 feet

The first bench testing of the Ardiden 1U, the single-engine variant, took place in early December 2014 and first models were delivered to HAL by the end of 2014. EASA type-certification is scheduled for 2017.

Olivier Andries, Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca said: “Our participation in the LCH and LUH programme builds on our track-record, established since 2003, of cooperating on the Shakti project. We are extremely proud of the continued confidence placed in us by HAL.”

Long-standing partnership with India

HAL and Turbomeca are celebrating 50 years of working together on helicopter projects. The relationship started with an agreement to produce, in India, the Artouste IIIB turbine installed in the Alouette III (known as Chetak) and Lama (Cheetah). With the TM333 fitted in the civil Dhru and the Shakti in LUH and LCH, Turbomeca has been involved in the ALH/Dhruv programme since the very beginning.

Turbomeca conducts business through its Turbomeca India facility, supporting military customers and 200 civil engines in operation. Some 1,500 Turbomeca engines, most of them locally produced by HAL, are flying in the country.