Turbomeca To Power HAL’s LCH, LUH With Ardiden Engines

Turbomeca will be powering Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter(LUH) with Ardiden 1H1 and Ardiden 1U engine respectively.

The new HAL designed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft, is still under development.

Featuring state-of-the-art technologies, the Ardiden 1 family develops 1,400 shp. The Ardiden 1H1 variant was EASA-certified in 2009 and more than 250 units have already been co-produced, under the ‘Shakti’ designation, with Hindustan Aeronautics.

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.

“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," said Olivier Andriès, Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca.