Aviation

IAF to induct first batch of domestically built LCH at Jodhpur

India to deploy its first Indigionusly built LCH helicopter squadron to one of the important territories to back up the defense power.

The Indian Air Force is set to formally raise its first unit of indigenous Light Combat Helicopters in Jodhpur in the first week of October coinciding with Air Force Day on October 8.

Ten LCHs will be inducted in the first batch completing one unit, a defense official said on Monday. The IAF is still working out the total number of LCHs to be acquired, the official stated.

As of now, India operates older Mi25 and Mi35 attack helicopters of which one squadron has been phased out following the induction of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The existing Mi-35 squadron is in the process of being sent for an overhaul which will extend its life by many years, the official stated.

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The Army plans to acquire 95 LCHs of which seven units, each having 10 helicopters, are planned to be deployed for combat roles in the mountains.

the LCH gained the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen, having repeatedly landed at several high-altitude helipads, some of which being as high as 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet.

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At the cost of 3,887 IAF and the army have placed an order for 15 limited series production variants of the LCH. The LCH is the first dedicated attack helicopter of the Army, which otherwise operates 75 Rudra helicopters, the weaponized variant of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter. India is also ordering a further 11 apache helicopters.

LCH has the Turbomeca Shakti engine which has the power of 1,032 kilowatts each and it has a max take-off weight is up to 5,800 kg and an empty weight of 2,250 kg. It has a payload capacity of 1,750kg of weapons.

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it has a maximum speed of 268 km/hr and has a range of 550 km and an endurance of 3 hours. it has a service ceiling of 6,500 meters.

It can carry various armament guns of 22mm m621 cannon. in its 4 hard points, it can carry air-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, cluster munition,s, and unguided bombs.

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Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.