Airbus Helicopters will join with Korea Aerospace Industries in developing two 5-ton class rotorcraft that meet South Korea’s requirements for its next-generation Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH).

Both the LCH and LAH will be based on Airbus Helicopters’ H155 (formerly known as the EC155) – the latest evolution of its best-selling Dauphin family, which includes the Panther military and parapublic variants. The LCH version is expected to enter service in 2020 while the service introduction of the LAH is targeted for 2022.

As part of the new commitment, Airbus Helicopters will transfer the company’s technical know-how – as already demonstrated in the indigenous Surion helicopter program – to ensure Korea is able to develop both the LCH and LAH helos, which should become the leading next-generation light rotorcraft in the 5 metric ton weight category.

H155 gets weapons sights and pylons in its Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) configuration for South Korea.

Airbus Helicopters has been selected as the foreign partner to help Korea Aerospace Industries develop a five-tonne rotorcraft under the country’s requirement for a Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH).

The two variants will be based on the Airbus Helicopters H155 – formerly designated the EC155. Selection by KAI will help extend the life of the H155, which from 2018 will be superseded by the new H160.