Korea Aerospace Industries LCH

The Korea Aerospace Industries Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a domestically developed attack helicopter that entered service in 2016, representing the culmination of more than a decade of research by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the Agency for Defense Development. The programme began in 2006 as a response to the Republic of Korea Army’s demand for a highly maneuverable, low‑observable platform capable of operating in mountainous terrain and urban environments. Drawing on technology from KAI’s earlier Surion utility helicopter, the LCH incorporates a tailless, rigid‑blade main rotor, a coaxial tail rotor, and a compact airframe optimized for rapid climb and tight turns. It is powered by a single Turbo Supercharged Turbofan engine delivering 1,200 shp, and is armed with a 20‑mm cannon, up to eight air‑to‑ground missiles, rocket pods, and optional anti‑tank guided weapons. Advanced avionics include an integrated digital cockpit, helmet‑mounted display, and a full‑duplex data link for network‑centric warfare. The LCH’s significance lies in its contribution to South Korea’s self‑reliance in combat aviation, its export potential to allied nations, and its role in modernizing regional air‑ground capabilities while showcasing KAI’s growing expertise in indigenous rotorcraft design.

Korea Aerospace Industries

Korea Aerospace Industries LCH

Classification

Dimensions

Performance

Design & Classification