Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has successfully conducted the maiden flight of the light combat helicopter (Technology Demonstrator-2) with the indigenously built automatic flight control system (AFCS).

The AFCS has been designed and manufactured for the first time in the country by the state-owned aerospace and defence company.

The first flight, which has helped strengthen the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, was carried out for 20 minutes with the AFCS.

HAL chairman and managing director T Suvarna Raju said that development of the new AFCS is funded by the company to replace the currently existing ‘high-value imported system’.

In a statement published by HAL, Raju said: “The AFCS is a digital four-axis flight control system capable of performing control and stability augmentation function and auto-pilot modes of helicopters.”

“The AFCS is a digital four-axis flight control system capable of performing control and stability augmentation function and auto-pilot modes of helicopters.”

Raju added that the indigenous development of the hardware, software, and control law is a fully in-house effort of HAL research and development (R&D) centres, including the Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWR&DC), the Mission and Combat Systems Research and Design Centre (MCSRDC) at Bengaluru, Strategic Electronics Research and Design Centre (SLRDC) at Hyderabad, and Korwa Division.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The integrated architecture display system (IADS), which is the cockpit display solution integrated on the light combat helicopter, has also been developed by HAL in collaboration with other private industries in India.

The development flight testing for the IADS is currently in progress.

The company’s light combat helicopter achieved the initial operational clearance (IOC) on 26 August last year.