On May 20, 2015, the South Korean authorities accepted the offer from Airbus Hélicoptères to design, with local contributor KAI, a light attack and reconnaissance helicopter, based on the H155 dauphin, and intended to replace the MD500 Defender and Aging AH1 Cobra of the country's armed forces. A little more than 4 years later, on July 4, 2019, this new aircraft, designated LAH, for Light Attack Helicopter, made its first 20-minute flight at the Korean company's Sacheon production site.
Externally, the device takes a lot from its elder, the dolphin, of which it keeps the general appearance and the famous fenestron. But the aircraft is indeed a modern aircraft, notably integrating two Arriel 2L2 engines designed by Safran, and delivering a power of 1024 hp each at sea level, 250 more than the Arriel 1 MN equipping the Dauphins. This increase in power makes it possible to increase the on-board equipment, in particular by the addition of a 20mm cannon on a turret under the nose of the aircraft, and 2 hardpoints for missiles and rocket baskets on each of the two stumps of the aircraft. The avionics have also been modernized, as well as the infrared, radar and laser threat detection equipment. It is likely that armor elements have also been added, so as to increase the survivability of LAH called upon to operate close to opposing defenses.
To guarantee this contract for 214 aircraft, Airbus Hélicoptères had to agree to significant technology transfers, and transferred the World manufacturing license for the H155 to KAI, becoming, in this case, the LUH [efn_note]Light Utility Helicopter[ /efn_note] by its civilian version. But to the extent that Airbus is developing the H160 and its military version the Guépard, an aircraft in the same weight range but much more modern than the Dauphin, this license does not affect the future of the group.
Exported to more than 35 countries, the Dauphin and its different versions were built in more than 1000 units. It is still produced under license in China which, with the Z9, has made it the backbone of its airmobile force for 15 years, with more than 250 examples built. The French Navy, which continues to use it on its frigates, plans to rent even more while waiting for the HIL Guépard to enter service. We can only wish its successor, the H160, the same journey!