South Korean Light Armed Helicopter completes its first flight.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on August 19 that it has completed successfully the first flight of the initial Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) prototype. The test with two flight pilots on board was conducted in KAI's headquarters for about 20 minutes.

Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) (Picture source: KAI)

Setting out the development of the LAH on june 2015, KAI finished its basic design and critical design on August 2016 and on November 2017, respectively, followed by the show-off of its prototype on December 2018.

Starting from January this year, KAI conducted the ground test to confirm the main systems and their stability. On the first flight readiness review held on June, the company obtained approval for the LAH's flight test.

The LAH is equipped with the state-of-the-art avionics suite and the 1,032 horse power-class new engines. KAI envisions developping the LAH as a far more upgraded helicopter than the currently operating armed one, which will contribute to reinforcing the air power of the Korean military in the years to come.

 LAH infographic (Picture source: KAI)