Article Posted on : - Mar 03, 2015

LCH undergoing cold-weather trials at Air Force Station in Leh. A HAL photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): The cold weather trials of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) have been successfully completed at Air Force Station in Leh recently, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) said on Monday.

"The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude", T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL said.

He said that the engine starts were "satisfactory" in the temperature of minus 18 degree Celsius at 4.1 km.

The flights were also carried out to assess high altitude performance and low speed handling.

The LCH prototype, TD2 was ferried from Bangalore to Leh and the flight trials were carried out involving pilots from Indian Air Force and Army.

"LCH Technology Demonstrator TD-3 made its maiden flight in November last year and the TD-4 is likely to fly soon. The IOC is expected in the later part of this year," the HAL chief said in a statement.

During recently concluded Aero India 2015, two LCHs -- one on static and another on flying display -- enthralled many.

The LCH is a 5.5 ton class, powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter.