KAI, First Domestic Mass Production of Independently Developed Small Armed Helicopter

Scheduled for missions including air strike operations... Replacement of aging 500MD and AH-1S

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Following the Surion, the second domestically developed indigenous helicopter, the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), will be mass-produced for the first time.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 23rd that it signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 22nd for the LAH mass production project.

The contract is worth approximately 302 billion KRW and includes 10 aircraft, initial operator training, maintenance replacement equipment, and integrated system support elements. The project duration is about 36 months, with the first delivery scheduled for December 2024.

The LAH is expected to perform missions such as the Army's aerial strike operations and air assault operation support. It will replace the currently operated aging 500MD and AH-1S helicopters.

Equipped with a 4-axis automatic flight control system, high-performance target acquisition equipment, and an integrated helmet-mounted display system that is organically linked with the weapon system, the LAH significantly enhances the pilot's mission performance capabilities. Advanced defense systems such as a survivability equipment management computer, radar warning receiver, and missile warning receiver, which serve as warning and defense means against air defense weapon system threats, are installed, greatly enhancing survivability.

For conducting network-centric warfare, the LAH is the first domestically produced aircraft to be equipped with the Army Tactical Data Link and the Korean Joint Tactical Data Link.

KAI plans to focus on developing the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), capable of performing various missions such as special operations attack helicopters and command and control helicopters, in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.