LHTEC engines to power Indian light helicopter

ALLIEDSIGNAL/ALLISON joint-venture LHTEC has signed a contract to supply CTS800 engines for flight testing on India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

The 970kW (1,300shp) CTS800 is the commercially certificated version of the T800 military turboshaft developed to power the Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche.

Two CTS800s will be installed on an ALH prototype for flight demonstrations scheduled later this year. If the airframe and engine prove compatible, the CTS800 is expected to replace the Turbomeca TM333 as the ALH powerplant.

Production deliveries would begin in early 1998, AlliedSignal says. LHTEC is projecting a market for more than 300 helicopters worth more than $150 million in engine sales.

Source: Flight International