Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) says its planned 3t Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) should be ready for first flight in 2017, and has also proposed a VIP cabin configuration for its 5.5t Dhruv rotorcraft.

Although known mainly as a defence contractor, HAL displayed the two civilian helicopter concepts at the India Aviation event in Hyderabad.

The LUH will be able to carry up to six passengers and will be designed as a multirole aircraft.

HAL has yet to sell a VIP version of the Dhruv, which is widely used by the country’s military. However, the airframer believes there could be demand in India’s civilian and government sector for a VIP variant of the indigenously developed type.

India Aviation runs from 12-16 March.

Source: FlightGlobal.com