KAI has Performed the First Flight of LAH

19/8/2019

KAI announced today that it has completed successfully the first flight of the initial LAH prototype. The test with two flight pilots on board was conducted in KAI's headquarters for about 20 minutes.

Setting out for the development of the LAH in June 2015, KAI finished its basic design and critical design in August 2016 and November 2017, respectively, followed by the [presentation] of its prototype in December 2018.

Starting in January this year, KAI conducted the ground test to confirm the main systems and their stability. On the First Flight Readiness Review held in June, the company obtained approval for the LAH’s flight test.

This video on the South Korean Military Channel was posted on July 4, when the LAH made its first flight. The video said LAH is on track to complete development by 2022 to replace the aging MD500 Defender.

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

“I am thankful to all the people who made efforts for the successful first flight on the LAH,” said KAI CEO Kim Jo-won. “We will make an aircraft in which the military and the people can trust via the more through flight test evaluation, given that we started to enter the turning point of the development stage.”