KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)

Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter

South Korea | 2023

"The Light Armed Helicopter product is expected to succeed the aging stocks of MD500 and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters for the South Korean military."

Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing material.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/09/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In an effort to upgrade its stock of aging McDonnell Douglas MD500 and Bell AH-1J/S "Cobra' light attack helicopters with one of local origin, KAI (Korean Aerospace Industries) was selected by the South Korean military to lead the charge for a new 5-ton class system. KAI has since partnered with French-based Airbus Helicopters to develop what is known as the "Light Armed Helicopter" (LAH) solution and will be based on the latter's H155 (formerly the Eurocopter EC155) platform. The LAH product will follow the Light Civilian Helicopter (LCH), which is also based on the H155 "Dauphin", that will enter the civilian market in 2020 while the LAH is expected to be in service for 2022 (since pushed back to 2023). The LAH project is being headed by Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) with involvement from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as well.

KAI and Airbus Helicopters have already combined engineering talents to product the new KAI KUH-1 "Surion" medium-lift helicopter (with Samsung Techwin engines) for South Korean Army and Marine forces. This product is based on the proven Eurocopter EC725 "Super Cougar" platform and several hundred of this model are already on order while deliveries having been ongoing since 2012. The KUH-1 was selected to replace the Bell UH-1H medium family as well as the McDonnell Douglas MD500 light series helicopters in the general utility role.

The LAH is expected to retain the same basic form and function as the Dauphin with the exception of wingstubs added along the lower fuselage sides offering up to four hardpoints for carrying rocket pods and gun pods. A powered chin turret is expected under the nose and engines will most likely be local developments once more. The French Dauphin enjoys a considerable reach on the global stage with some sixty operators and over 1,000 helicopters in service today (2015). It is easily recognized by its sleek design lines and Fenestron-protected tail rotor unit - the latter which reduces the risk of foreign bodies being ingested into the spinning blades and lowers operational noise, particularly over civilian areas. The main rotor will feature a five-bladed design fitted to a low-profile mast.

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June 2016 - It was announced that Safran Helicopter Engine's (Turbomeca) "Arriel 2" will power the new LAH. The Resulting Arriel 2L2 will be a joint effort between Safran and Hanwha Techwin. The Arriel 2C2 engine will be used to power a civlian market form of the helicopter.

KAI unveiled the LAH at its Sacheon facility. Ground-testing is set to commence in 2019 with a first-flight to follow before year's end. Service entry is slated for sometime in 2023, now delayed from the originally-announced 2022 target year.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter.

2 x Safran Helicopter Engines / Hanwha Techwin "Arriel 2" turboshaft engine developing 1,650 horsepower (estimated) while driving a five-bladed main rotor and Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor unit.
Propulsion

202 mph
325 kph | 175 kts
Max Speed

19,242 ft
5,865 m | 4 miles
Service Ceiling

612 miles
985 km | 532 nm
Operational Range

1,800 ft/min
549 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

46.9 ft
14.30 m
O/A Length

39.4 ft
(12.00 m)
O/A Width

14.3 ft
(4.35 m)
O/A Height

5,776 lb
(2,620 kg)
Empty Weight

10,847 lb
(4,920 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter .

PROPOSED:
1 x 20mm cannon in powered chin turret under nose assembly.

OPTIONAL:
Four underwing hardpoints for carrying rocket or gun pods as required.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) family line.

Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) - Base Project Name; product to be based on the Eurocopter EC155 model series.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 0 Units
Contractor(s): Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) - South Korea / Airbus Helicopters - France

[ South Korea (planned) ]

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Image of the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)

Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing material.

Going Further...
The KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter appears in the following collections:

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