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Aviation / Aerospace

KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)


Gunship Platform / Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter [ 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.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/09/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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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.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

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.

Specifications



Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) - South Korea / Airbus Helicopters - France
Manufacturer(s)
South Korea (planned)
Operators National flag of South Korea
2023
Service Year
South Korea
National Origin
In-Development
Project Status
2
Crew
0
Units


GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
TRANSPORT
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.


46.9 ft
(14.30 meters)
Length
39.4 ft
(12.00 meters)
Width/Span
14.3 ft
(4.35 meters)
Height
5,776 lb
(2,620 kilograms)
Empty Weight
10,847 lb
(4,920 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+5,071 lb
(+2,300 kg)
Weight Difference


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 knots)
Max Speed
19,242 ft
(5,865 m | 4 miles)
Ceiling
612 miles
(985 km | 532 nm)
Range
1,800 ft/min
(549 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


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

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


4
Hardpoints


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


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Image of the KAI / Airbus Helicopters Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)
Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing material.

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