The Netherlands Aerospace Centre NLR successfully supported Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India by performing a review of the rotor system of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The LUH is a 3.5 ton helicopter which has a service ceiling of 6.5km and a capacity of up to 6 passengers and 2 pilots. The LUH is developed entirely by HAL.
First flight LUH, September 2016
The NLR project duration was set at 10 months and divided into 3 phases. During the first phase HAL delivered all the necessary documentation, in consultation with NLR. In the second phase the actual review took place and in the last phase the final review report was composed and presented to HAL. During the review different aspects of the rotor system design were assessed: aerodynamic analyses, dynamic analysis, stress analysis, the design of the composite rotor blades and the complete design of the rotor system.
Because of the diversity of the review subjects several NLR departments worked together intensively. The availability of expertise on many different subjects within NLR ensured that the project was completed successfully within the preset duration time.
Both NLR and HAL can look back upon a successful project which could mark the beginning of a long-lasting fruitful cooperation between HAL and NLR.
