KAI LAH

The origins of the LAH can be traced back to the Eurocopter EC155, a mid-sized civil utility helicopter produced by the multinational manufacturer Airbus Helicopters. During 2015, Airbus Helicopters and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) jointly announced an agreement to transfer principle manufacturing activity of the EC155 to South Korea; under this arrangement, KAI would become the sole manufacturer of the type after 2018, and both firms shall be jointly involved in the international marketing and further development of the type. Furthermore, the EC155 served as the basis for two programmes headed by KAI: The Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH).[1][2]

At the time of the agreement, Airbus stated that it foresaw demand within South Korea for 100 LCHs and 214 LAHs, and estimates an international market of 300–400 LAH versions to replace legacy attack helicopters. The LAH is expected to replace both the MD Helicopters MD 500 Defender and Bell AH-1J/S Cobra helicopters operated by the Republic of Korea Army.[1][2] Furthermore, KAI has declared its hope to sell the LAH overseas.[3] In addition to KAI, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) along with several other South Korean agencies have given their support to the project.[3] Furthermore, numerous European suppliers are also involved in the programme; in June 2016, the French firm Safran Group were selected to provide the Turbomeca Arriel powerplant for both the LAH and LCH.[4]

The LAH features numerous changes from the EC155 it is derived from, these include a new cockpit, improved gearbox, and redesigned rotor blades. Furthermore, LAH is capable of using multiple new armaments, has been furnished with survivability equipment, and has the ability to carry up to ten fully-equipped troops.[1] The LAH has been designed to perform both attack and reconnaissance missions.[5] The flight system include a 4-axis automatic flight control system (AFCS), while the dynamic systems are designed to minimise both noise and vibration. Crashworthy self-sealing fuel tanks are also fitted.[6]

The LAH has been equipped with various avionics and apparatus to support its operations; these include a nose-mounted electro-optic/infrared sensor package, an integrated target acquisition/designation system, and a self-protection/electronic warfare suite, which includes a radar warning receiver (RWR), laser warning receiver (LWR), missile warning receiver (MWR), and chaff/flare dispensers.[6] Its self-protection systems are reportedly designed to guard against man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).[6] A precision navigation system has been included, with has reportedly been resistant to hostile GPS jamming. The pilots are provided with helmet-mounted displays integrated with the fire control system.[6]

The LAH is armed with a single chin-mounted 20mm three-barreled turret gun and fitted with stub wings for carrying both 70 mm (2.8 in) non-guided rockets and air-to-ground anti-tank missiles.[6] The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hanwha developed of a new anti-tank missile, initially referred to as the TAipers (Tank Sniper) Light Armed Helicopter Air-to-Ground Missile (LAH-AGM), as the LAH's primary weapon. Guided by a dual CCD TV and imaging infrared (IIR) seeker delivering a fire-and-forget capability as well as a fire, observe, and update mode using a fiber-optic data-link, it provides an anti-armor capability up to 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) away. Serial production of the missile is expected sometime in 2023, coinciding with the LAH's introduction.[7] Later renamed Chungum, the missile is 120 mm (4.7 in) in diameter, weighs 16 kg (35 lb), can fly at 200 m/s (720 km/h; 450 mph), and is equipped with a tandem shaped-charge warhead with impact or time delay fuses. The LAH can carry four Chungums, two on each side.[8] Development of the missile was completed in December 2022.[9] In 2021, KAI and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a separate memorandum of understanding to develop a loitering munitions that may be used on the LAH.[10]

In December 2018, the first prototype was unveiled. In April 2019, the LCH performed its first engine ground test.[11]

On 4 July 2019, the first prototype performed its maiden flight;[12] on 10 December 2019, it was followed by the second prototype.[13] During December 2020, the LAH was declared to be fit for combat on a provisional basis by DAPA.[3] In April 2021, KAI stated that both the 20mm cannon and 70mm rockets had been integrated with the LAH's target acquisition designation sight, and that testing of the air-to-ground missile would proceed within the year.[14][5]

Between December 2021 and February 2022, cold weather testing of the LAH was conducted at Yellowknife, Canada, performing over 40 flights and testing 165 items over the course of nine weeks.[15][16] According to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 18 February that the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) these tests has successfully verified the helicopter's ability to withstand cold weather conditions without impacting either its manoeuvrability and general performance.[3][5]

During 2022, the LAH's manned-unmanned teaming capability was formally evaluated. KAI has stated its intention to equip the helicopter with a canister-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).[3] The company has also conceptualised an unmanned version of the LAH, which it promoted as intending to work in coordination with a manned LAH to minimise human losses on the battlefield.[17] The South Korean government has issued a contract pertaining to the development of the unmanned LAH.[18]

In September 2022, KAI unveiled a new variant, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which is intended to support operations by special forces; it is based on the LAH, but has been stripped of non-essential equipment and its troop-carrying capability maximised, not only using the internal cabin but also outboard benches akin to those used on the Boeing MH-6M Little Bird.[19]

On 23 December 2022, DAPA signed a 302 billion won (US$235 million) deal with KAI to begin producing 10 LAH units and start deliveries in December 2024.[20] Airbus Helicopters and KAI agreed to start serial production in August 2023.[21]