HAL HJT-36 Sitara

[ladder]

HAL struggling with jet trainer project

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is struggling with its Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) project, almost 10 years after the first prototype had its maiden flight.

Sources confirmed to Express that engineers and designers at HAL's Aircraft Research and Design Centre have the daunting task of identifying and correcting the inherent asymmetry of the aircraft. The HAL hopes to get the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for IJT by the end of December, though insiders said the deadline might get pushed to next year.

"The issues related to aircraft have been reported by pilots during the ongoing tests and also endorsed by BAE Systems. This is coming in a large way for the ongoing stall and spin trials. Pilots had tried their best, but the aircraft rolls around 16 degrees, thereby forcing them to abort the stall tests," a source said. The HAL had hired BAE Systems to act as consultants to evaluate the IJT's stall and spin tests. While the HAL officially refused to give any project update on IJT saying "there isn't much to share", sources said the aircraft is scheduled to undertake crosswind trials at Jamnagar and cold weather trials at Srinagar.

"The IOC declaration might happen after these trials. One aircraft is likely to perform the stall and spin permutation and combination exercises in a parallel manner, to save time. The designers are even trying wing dressing so as to provide with the best stall experience. So far, all the prototypes coming out are having inherent asymmetry problems," the official said.

The IJT, which was tipped to reap maximum benefits from HAL's involvement in the Tejas project, lost its flight path completely in the last seven years following a spate of crashes and management issues. The Indian Air Force has been waiting patiently for the IJTs with the hope of filling the gaps in its training format. The HAL is committed to deliver 12 limited series production aircraft to the IAF and later 73 series production planes -- the deadlines all looking messier now.

Sources said IJT's LSP-5 aircraft had its maiden flight during the last week of September, with a rolling off problem being reported on day one. However, the test flights of LSP-5 are currently on track, they said.

HAL struggling with jet trainer project - The New Indian Express

and more at

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: HAL's struggle with IJT continues; hopes to get IOC in six months; LSP-5 begins test flights

 

[sob]

How can HAL cry about the IAFs decision to go in for the Pilatus.

It seems that all claims about HJT 40 were all just claims...

 

[jmj_overlord]

HAL should collaborate more freely with private companies than keeping their egoistic attitude...........govt should encourage this.Atleast learn this from other countries

 

[Abhi9]

In Tejas' shadow, Sitara trainer also poised to enter service | Business Standard

While the spotlight plays over the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) that will, on Friday, be certified fit for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF), another India-built aircraft is at the cusp of readiness. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed that its Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT), which has been in development since 1999, is now "just weeks away from certification".

Defence Minister A K Antony is flying down here to award the Tejas its initial operational certificate (IOC) on Friday. The Sitara's success in intensive flight-testing this year means that he could soon be making another trip to award an identical certification to the Sitara.

For the IAF, there could hardly be better news. The recent purchase of the PC-7 Mark II basic trainer from Swiss company, Pilatus; and HAL's simultaneous project to develop the HTT-40 basic trainer, caters for training of rookie pilots - termed Stage-1 training. The induction of the Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) in 2008 took care of Stage-3 training, after which pilots fly frontline IAF fighters. But Stage-2 intermediate training remains a gaping void that is inadequately filled by vintage Kiran Mark II trainers that date back to the 1970s.

"We have accelerated flight testing dramatically this year, doing 183 sorties - thrice as many as any preceding year. Last month we completed bombing trials and extra fuel tank trials in Jamnagar. Now we are completing the stall and spin tests, after which we will get the IOC," says Krishna Kumar, Project Manager IJT for HAL.

Business Standard visited the HAL division where the Sitara is undergoing flight-testing. One prototype was taxiing out for a test-flight, while technicians readied others. So keen is the IAF to get the Sitara into service that HAL has been allowed to press into flight-testing the 12 trainers the IAF ordered.

In March 2010, the IAF also ordered 73 Sitara trainers for Rs 6,180 crore. These would be based at the IAF flying school coming up in Deesa, in Gujarat; and in Tambaram, where the IAF trains flying instructors.

A tour of the Sitara makes it clear why the IAF is so keen. Unlike the clunky Kiran, the Sitara's clean-cut lines are distinctly 21st century. While the Kiran seated both instructor and trainee side by side, the Sitara has tandem seating with the trainee pilot seated alone in front, where he gets the feel of flying solo even though he knows the instructor is seated behind. The Kiran's quaint analog instruments are replaced with smart digital display screens, like those that equip modern fighters. From his rear seat, the instructor can control the trainee pilot's instruments, simulating flight emergencies for the rookie to handle.

"Everyone who sees the Sitara remarks upon its 'wow' factor. Many don't believe that this is an entirely India-designed aircraft," says Kumar.

HAL was sanctioned Rs 180 crore in July 1999 to develop the aircraft and build two flying prototypes. In 2005, two years after the prototype first flew, the budget was raised to Rs 467 crore to order a more powerful engine from Russia and to build an all-glass cockpit. Eventually, development has cost Rs 634.23 crore. In addition, the IAF ordered 12 limited series production (LSP) Sitaras in 2006 for Rs 486.82 crore. That works out to Rs 40 crore per trainer, a fraction of what would be paid abroad for a similar aircraft that also integrates rockets, guns and bombs.

The Sitara has faced its share of development setbacks. Around 2006, it was making good progress when it was decided to fit a new engine - the AL-55I engine, specially developed in Russia for the Sitara, which HAL will manufacture in Koraput, Odisha. In 2011, flight-testing suffered a major setback when a Sitara crashed in stall testing, fortunately without loss of life.

All that is history, say HAL project managers, as the Sitara is poised to enter service. It flies up to 700 kilometres per hour and up to 9,000 metres high. It can sustain gravitational forces from minus 2.5G to plus 7G (seven times the force of gravity). It has a range of 1000 kilometres, extendable to 1,500 kilometres with external drop tanks.

 

[Abhi9]

NEW PICS!!!!

Seems like they are using this one for spin and stall test. IT has structure at the back for housing big parachute

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Sitara trainer also poised to enter service

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed that its Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT), which has been in development since 1999, is now "just weeks away from certification".

The induction of the Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) in 2008 took care of Stage-3 training, after which pilots fly frontline IAF fighters. But Stage-2 intermediate training remains a gaping void that is inadequately filled by vintage Kiran Mark II trainers that date back to the 1970s.

"We have accelerated flight testing dramatically this year, doing 183 sorties - thrice as many as any preceding year. Last month we completed bombing trials and extra fuel tank trials in Jamnagar. Now we are completing the stall and spin tests, after which we will get the IOC," says Krishna Kumar, Project Manager IJT for HAL.

In March 2010, the IAF also ordered 73 Sitara trainers for Rs 6,180 crore. These would be based at the IAF flying school coming up in Deesa, in Gujarat; and in Tambaram, where the IAF trains flying instructors.

HAL was sanctioned Rs 180 crore in July 1999 to develop the aircraft and build two flying prototypes. In 2005, two years after the prototype first flew, the budget was raised to Rs 467 crore to order a more powerful engine from Russia and to build an all-glass cockpit. Eventually, development has cost Rs 634.23 crore. In addition, the IAF ordered 12 limited series production (LSP) Sitaras in 2006 for Rs 486.82 crore. That works out to Rs 40 crore per trainer, a fraction of what would be paid abroad for a similar aircraft that also integrates rockets, guns and bombs.

All that is history, say HAL project managers, as the Sitara is poised to enter service. It flies up to 700 kilometres per hour and up to 9,000 metres high. It can sustain gravitational forces from minus 2.5G to plus 7G (seven times the force of gravity). It has a range of 1000 kilometres, extendable to 1,500 kilometres with external drop tanks.

Source : In Tejas' shadow, Sitara trainer also poised to enter service | Business Standard

 

[mehrotraprince]

"Everyone who sees the Sitara remarks upon its 'wow' factor. Many don't believe that this is an entirely India-designed aircraft," says Kumar.

In Tejas' shadow, Sitara trainer also poised to enter service | Business Standard

 

[Blackwater]

Sitara trainer also poised to enter service

Source : In Tejas' shadow, Sitara trainer also poised to enter service | Business Standard

i have seen this sitara in farnborough air show 2006. still not inducted

 

[ladder]

i have seen this sitara in farnborough air show 2006. still not inducted

It went through a heart transplant since.So, the recuperation time increased.

I mean the engine was changed to Al-55I.

 

[Blackwater]

It went through a heart transplant since.So, the recuperation time increased.

I mean the engine was changed to Al-55I.

how different is sitara as compare to hawk???

 

[janetkissho]

awesome invention man love it

 

[ninja85]

Re: HAL's HJT-36 Sitara Project Struggling

k 8 is the answer as a stop gap measure

cost just 10millions

can be offered as a good gesture from pakistan side

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongdu_JL-8

that plane is cheap copy-cat chinese technology in reality and not from pakibeggaristan , what are you bragging about ? :taunt1:

 

[ninja85]

There is a HJT-39 coming up, it will be a twin engine aircraft and a Hawk replacement.

what do you mean we just brought hawk some 5-6 years ago and it got old so quickly.

 

[ladder]

how different is sitara as compare to hawk???

Sitara will be a stage 2 trainer whereas Hawk is a stage 3 trainer with IAF.
so, there would be lot of differences.
But, I am not the best person to answer.

 

[ladder]

Re: HAL's HJT-36 Sitara Project Struggling

that plane is cheap copy-cat chinese technology in reality and not from pakibeggaristan , what are you bragging about ? :taunt1:

Do you realize, you are asking question to a banned member? You won't be getting an answer.

 

[ninja85]

Re: HAL's HJT-36 Sitara Project Struggling

Do you realize, you are asking question to a banned member? You won't be getting an answer.

O, so a banned member thanks for informing.

 

[p2prada]

what do you mean we just brought hawk some 5-6 years ago and it got old so quickly.

HAL wants to make it, not necessary that IAF will buy it.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Quite frankly there is no Major difference between IJT and AJT ..

Just names, The category are made for imports ..

================

Sittara and Hawk are almost same, Only difference is that HAWK as more powerful engine ..

Other than that there function are same ..

Sitara will be a stage 2 trainer whereas Hawk is a stage 3 trainer with IAF.
so, there would be lot of differences.
But, I am not the best person to answer.

 

[ninja85]

HAL wants to make it, not necessary that IAF will buy it.

then why they made such expensive deal to buy hawk?

 

[p2prada]

then why they made such expensive deal to buy hawk?

Obvious. If HAL starts now, they will take at least 10 years to make one.

Hawk will be cheaper since so many countries are using it. So, it's not expensive.