HAL Light Utility Helicopter

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited · India · first flew 2016 · helicopter

The HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is a twin-engine light helicopter developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to replace the Cheetah and Chetak (Alouette II/III derivatives) in Indian Army and Air Force service.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Four-blade main rotor on compact military fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Indian twin-engine light utility helicopter
Four-blade main rotor on compact military fuselage
Fenestron-style shrouded tail rotor

A compact twin-engine helicopter with a clean fuselage, four-blade main rotor, and a distinctive shrouded tail rotor (fenestron), differentiating it clearly from the single-engine Cheetah it replaces.

Specifications

The HAL Light Utility Helicopter has a length of 11.49 m (38 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.1 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).
Typical crew: 2 pilots + 4–5 troops.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Development began in the 2000s in response to India's long-standing dependence on ageing French-derived light helicopters; the LUH first flew in September 2016 and received a production sanction from the Indian government in 2023.

Variants

A civil variant for corporate and utility use is planned; the initial batch is focused on military utility and reconnaissance roles.

Where you'll see it

In the process of entering service with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, gradually replacing the elderly Cheetah and Chetak fleets at high-altitude stations including Ladakh.

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