LH-2000

The **LH-2000** was a light civilian utility helicopter.

## Background

First entering the market during the early 1990s, the LH-2000 quickly became popular with civilian buyers. It served in a variety of roles ranging from light transport and personal utility to news media, tourism, survey and so on. The helicopter was also adopted by civilian law enforcement agencies for surveillance and patrol, as well as medical rescue and other emergency services. However, the continuing Global Civil War curtailed purchases as more and more assets were devoted towards military forces.

Following the arrival of the SDF-1 and the formation of the UEG, the LH-2000 saw an upsurge in popularity. Now being license-built in numerous countries, it saw use all across the world. Numerous LH-2000s were employed in Macross City at the time of the SDF-1's launch, with news media craft swarming the area. Most of these were lost in the subsequent Zentraedi attack.

As the global situation stabilised during the Reconstruction, production of the LH-2000 resumed at a number of different sites across the world. Beyond its civilian use, the LH-2000 was pressed into service in a variety of roles, such as courier, scouting and exploration. Examples were used to search for bandits or Zentraedi Malcontents, although it needs to be said that it was poorly-equipped to survive any engagements. Likewise, there were cases of the helicopter being pressed into service with bandits, and being equipped with improvised weapons.

LH-2000s would continue to be used by civilian and military agencies right up until the Invid Invasion.

## Capabilities

The LH-2000 was a simple, straightforward light utility helicopter. It was driven by a conventional petrol engine, and had a maximum speed of 280 km/h. The helicopter was easy to pilot, and often was used as a training platform. Normally, the LH-2000 seated three passengers, however there were some models with only a single seat and the space being otherwise used for cargo or even extended fuel tanks. Medivac models also existed, with the rear seats being removed to make space for stretchers.

Normally the LH-2000 was equipped with only basic sensors for flight and navigation. However, some third-party kits existed to refit it with various sensory systems to allow it to act as a simple scout. Due to the limitations of the airframe, the capabilities of these sensors were limited, and usually consisted of thermal sensors and other passive detection suites.

The hull of the LH-2000 was made of aluminum, and provided little protection from anything beyond small arms fire.

## Weapons and Equipment

Normally none. However, there are incidents of LH-2000s being armed with improvised mounts for machine guns or light rocket launchers.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 0

* **Designation:** LH-2000

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – Light:** 6
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 200 kph / 300 m / 30 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **No Melee:** The LH-2000 cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **Hover:** As a helicopter, the LH-2000 is able to hover or travel at speeds that would stall fixed-wing aerial craft.

* **Atmosphere Only:** The LH-2000 can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

* **Passengers:** The LH-2000 can carry up to 3 infantry with weapons and equipment.

* **Generic:** The stats for the LH-2000 can be used to represent other light helicopters.

### Options

* **Machine Gun:** The LH-2000 can optionally be equipped with a Machine Gun mounted on the side of the body use against enemy personnel. A Machine Gun ignores 2 armour against light targets and inflict 2x light damage. [H][P2]