Hindustan Trainer HTT-40

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
This Month, HAL’s Intermediate Jet Trainer Gets Final Shot
Four years after failed spin trials brought the aircraft program to a halt, HAL’s HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT) will restart a crucial set of spin trials this month. With a significantly altered airframe that returned to flight last April — and with a vitally awaited spin recovery parachute just delivered — test crews will shortly commence spin trials that must be successfully completed if the aircraft is to have a chance at survival.


Even though Sitara’s primary customer, the Indian Air Force, has planned for life without the aircraft that’s been proposed as a replacement to the ‘last legs’ HJT-16 Kiran, at HAL, the upcoming trials are being seen as nothing short of a crack at resurrection.


“We have not given up on the IJT, in fact we have restarted the program,”HAL chairman & managing director R. Madhavan tells Livefist. “In the previous one year, we have started working on it. We have changed the airframe to improve the spin capabilities. We were waiting for a spin parachute so we can begin testing the new changes.”


Flight test of the Sitara ground to a halt in 2016 after it became clear that spin trials couldn’t be completed safely on the then airframe. HAL spent the next three years using advice from U.S. aviation technology and testing firm Bihrle Applied Research Inc. to redesign major parts of the aircraft’s tail end, resulting in significant airframe changes, first visible when the redesigned jet flew in April 2019.


HAL will be hoping that spin trials mirror successes achieved with the sister HTT-40 propeller trainer program. In October last year, a series of videos captured the HTT-40‘s critical passage through spin tests, clearing decks for its final lap in development.


The Sitara team hopes this month’s tests will go the same way, after which comes the next challenge of persuading the Indian Air Force to make space for the jet. That won’t be easy, given the ill-tempered history between the two on this particular program. Delays in the Sitara program compelled the IAF to reconfigure its training regimen, which now sees flight cadets get their basic and intermediate training on PC-7 Mk.II propeller trainers and advanced/lead-in training on HAL-built Hawk Mk.132 jets. HJT-16 Kiran jets continue to be used in training, though the IAF has actively weaned training elements away from these ageing platforms.

The Sitara program, an offshoot of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project began in 1999, six years after the LCA got its first program extension. At the time, HAL had pitched to the IAF that it would quickly develop and build a stage-two trainer to replace the HJT-16 Kiran, and that lessons from the LCA program would ensure quick results. From project sanction in July 1999 to a first flight in March 2003, the Sitara appeared to be on track, keeping its promise of a worthy early replacement to the Kiran. In August 2005, HAL signed on Russia’s NPO Saturn to license build Al-551 jet engines for production series Sitaras that would be commissioned into the IAF. These were to give the Sitara a markedly higher thrust to weight ratio than the French Lazarc engines that powered the first two prototypes.


Target certification and induction dates of 2008 slipped owing to development delays compounded by a runway accident in 2007 and then a crash of a prototype in 2011. Through its journey, the aircraft was refined and improved with a series of consultations with companies that included Snecma and Smiths Aerospace.


Seventeen years after the Sitara first flew, the flight tests that take place this month will determine if the aircraft has a career in the Indian military.



Misgivings over the Sitara, however, haven’t hit the HTT-40’s chances. Last November, in a major endorsement, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria strapped into an HTT-40 days a month after taking over as IAF chief. This was manna from heaven for HAL, which had seen the HTT-40 program nearly killed off by an earlier IAF chief in 2013 amidst deliveries of Swiss Pilatus PC-7 propeller trainers. While the IAF had initially planned for more numbers of the Pilatus planes, an investigation into illegal practices, and a one-year MoD ban that kicked into effect last year, the HTT-40’s path into service is even clearer. This is quite apart from the HTT-40 proving itself to be a very worthy trainer entirely on its own.
HAL chairman R. Madhavan tells Livefist, “This is a crucial program for us. Final certification was scheduled for this month, but has been shifted by about two months because of the Covid19 situation. Inquiries have come in regarding completion of this project. Initital expectation is about 70 aircraft for the IAF, we also have an urgent enquiry from a neighbouring country. We are very positive, it has great marketing potential.”
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
Big push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in DAC’s approval for defence acquisitions worth Rs 8,722 cr
New Delhi: In a boost to the Indian armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Tuesday approved acquisition proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crores. The decision was taken at a meeting of the DAC here chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.


Crucially, some of these acquisitions will be made from Indian PSUs in line with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.


The Defence Ministry said as part of the proposals, 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be acquired from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).


"With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF," a government press release said.

The DAC decided that an upgraded version of the Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) will also be procured internally, from state-run BHEL.


"To improve the fire power of Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts and increase the maximum engagement range," the release stated.


Further, the DAC has approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition for the Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. The ammunition being procured will also have a 70% indigenous content.


The Council also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.
 

abingdonboy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
8,038
Likes
33,570
Country flag
HTT-40 now dead, the IAF's Rs 2,900 crore buy of 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II could rise to 181 trainers

MoD rejects HAL's proposal to build basic trainer

"Why should we pay HAL Rs 60 crore per basic trainer, when we can buy proven trainers from abroad for Rs 30 crore?" said a top MoD official to Business Standard.

"We would be willing to pay higher rates to build indigenous capability in strategic defence equipment. But can HAL argue that the capability to build basic trainers is strategically vital," noted the official.


Broadsword: MoD rejects HAL's proposal to build basic trainer
Just went back to the first page to dig up this comment

Shows how votes matter, how govts matter. I have a LOT of criticisms of NDA but god damn we have seen an entirely new era emerge under them and some are now pretending as though HTT-40 was always going to happen.
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
106 locally made trainer aircraft in India’s Rs 8,700 crore buying blitz
The defence ministry on Tuesday gave its go-ahead for the purchase of military equipment worth Rs 8,722 crore, including 106 locally made basic trainer aircraft, for the Indian Air Force to provide a push to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (self-reliant India movement), a defence ministry spokesperson said.

Basic trainers figure on the government’s negative import list that seeks to ban the import of 101 different types of weapons, systems and ammunition over the next five years.

The ministry’s defence acquisition council (DAC) accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for buying 106 Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) aircraft from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Under India’s defence procurement rules, AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.


“With HAL having successfully developed HTT-40 prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 basic trainers to address the training requirements of the IAF,” the ministry said in a statement. The IAF is expected to order 70 trainers initially, with the remaining 36 to be bought after the operationalisation of the HTT-40 fleet in the IAF.

This is the first step in a long journey ahead, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

“While it’s a thumbs-up for the design and development of the HTT-40, HAL has to rise to the occasion now and produce them to a time schedule that the IAF wants. Work ethics would require a change to do that,” Bahadur said.

The HTT-40 aircraft has undergone a string of elaborate tests at HAL to demonstrate that it is safe for rookie pilots and meets the IAF’s exacting standards for trainer planes. HAL could begin the production of the trainers by early next year.

Rookie pilots in IAF go through a three-stage training involving the Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes, Kiran trainers and finally the Hawk advanced jet trainers before they can fly fighter jets. As the Kirans are approaching the end of their service life, some amount of Stage 2 training is being done on the PC-7.

The defence ministry in July 2019 suspended business dealings with Swiss plane maker Pilatus Aircraft Limited for one year for violation of a pre-contract integrity pact in a Rs 2,900-crore contract for 75 basic trainers, and also factoring in Indian investigations against the plane maker for alleged corruption and irregularities.


The contract with Pilatus included a clause for follow-on purchase of 38 more planes.

The HTT-40 aircraft has undergone a string of elaborate tests at HAL to demonstrate that it is safe for rookie pilots and meets the IAF’s exacting standards for trainer planes. HAL could begin the production of the trainers by early next year.

Rookie pilots in IAF go through a three-stage training involving the Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes, Kiran trainers and finally the Hawk advanced jet trainers before they can fly fighter jets. As the Kirans are approaching the end of their service life, some amount of Stage 2 training is being done on the PC-7.

The defence ministry in July 2019 suspended business dealings with Swiss plane maker Pilatus Aircraft Limited for one year for violation of a pre-contract integrity pact in a Rs 2,900-crore contract for 75 basic trainers, and also factoring in Indian investigations against the plane maker for alleged corruption and irregularities.


The contract with Pilatus included a clause for follow-on purchase of 38 more planes.

The DAC - India’s apex procurement body - also cleared the purchase of an upgraded version of the super rapid gun mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard warships, to improve the navy’s firepower, the statement said. This weapon will be supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). “The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles,” the statement said.

Other defence items cleared for purchase include tank ammunition – the 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot). It will have 70% indigenous content. The statement said some of the other approvals given by the DAC will accelerate the purchase of AK-203 assault rifles and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) upgrades.


India on Sunday announced that it will ban the import of 101 defence items over the next five years, a significant step on the long road towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.

These include artillery guns, light military transport aircraft, conventional submarines, long-range land attack cruise missiles, assault rifles, sniper rifles, short-range surface-to-air missiles, beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, corvettes, missile destroyers, light combat helicopter, light combat aircraft, a variety of radars and different types of ammunition.

The DAC - India’s apex procurement body - also cleared the purchase of an upgraded version of the super rapid gun mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard warships, to improve the navy’s firepower, the statement said. This weapon will be supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). “The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles,” the statement said.

Other defence items cleared for purchase include tank ammunition – the 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot). It will have 70% indigenous content. The statement said some of the other approvals given by the DAC will accelerate the purchase of AK-203 assault rifles and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) upgrades.


India on Sunday announced that it will ban the import of 101 defence items over the next five years, a significant step on the long road towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.

These include artillery guns, light military transport aircraft, conventional submarines, long-range land attack cruise missiles, assault rifles, sniper rifles, short-range surface-to-air missiles, beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, corvettes, missile destroyers, light combat helicopter, light combat aircraft, a variety of radars and different types of ammunition.

The DAC - India’s apex procurement body - also cleared the purchase of an upgraded version of the super rapid gun mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard warships, to improve the navy’s firepower, the statement said. This weapon will be supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). “The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles,” the statement said.

Other defence items cleared for purchase include tank ammunition – the 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot). It will have 70% indigenous content. The statement said some of the other approvals given by the DAC will accelerate the purchase of AK-203 assault rifles and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) upgrades.


India on Sunday announced that it will ban the import of 101 defence items over the next five years, a significant step on the long road towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.

These include artillery guns, light military transport aircraft, conventional submarines, long-range land attack cruise missiles, assault rifles, sniper rifles, short-range surface-to-air missiles, beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, corvettes, missile destroyers, light combat helicopter, light combat aircraft, a variety of radars and different types of ammunition.
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
IAF to get Made in India trainer aircraft from HAL; DAC approves proposals worth Rs 8722 crore
To address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Defence Acquisition Council has given its approval for procuring 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) from the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In its meeting under the Chairmanship of defence minister Rajnath Singh, approvals were given to proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore and the main amount will be going towards procuring the Basic Trainers from the HAL.

HAL has successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process is underway, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), initially Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be procured and the balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF.

Last November, as was reported by Financial Express Online, in a show of faith the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) ACM RKS Bhadauria had taken the second prototype of HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft (TSR002) for a spin. In the flight which had lasted for almost one hour, the chief who was accompanied by the HAL’s chief test pilot Gp Capt (Retd) KK Venugopal had assessed not only the stall and spin but also other flying characteristics of the aircraft.

More about the Made in India HTT-40

This comes under the category of “Indian designed, developed and manufactured” (IDDM) equipment, as per the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016. And the Basic Trainer has so far cleared all the Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQR).

This trainer has been designed and developed by HAL and is a basic fixed-wing aircraft.

It is good for the young IAF officers who are going to learn how to fly an aircraft and will be equipped with Honeywell turboprop engine TPE-331-12B.

In an effort to give boost to Make in India initiative, the Air Chief had announced that the IAF was looking towards the indigenous trainer.

In a span of five years, the HTT-40 has so far completed all the major spin tests.

What more was approved in the DAC meeting?

According to the MOD, to strengthen the Armed Forces by focusing on the indigenous capability and to push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence.

To give more firepower of Indian Navy, approval has been given for procuring an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM). This is expected to be fitted as the main gun on board Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships once they are ready. These will be from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

This upgraded SRGM comes with enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets including missiles and Fast Attack Crafts. And increase the maximum engagement range.

Today, approval has also been given for procuring 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition. This is for the Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. It will have to have almost 70 per cent of indigenous content.

In view of the current tensions along the Line of Actual Control and the urgent requirement for the armed forces, the DAC granted approvals which are expected to speed up the procurement of the AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
IAF To Get Made In India HTT-40 Trainer Aircraft From HAL
HAL has successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process is underway, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD)




Last November, as was reported by Financial Express Online, in a show of faith the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) ACM RKS Bhadauria had taken the second prototype of HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft (TSR002) for a spin. In the flight which had lasted for almost one hour, the chief who was accompanied by the HAL’s chief test pilot Gp Capt (Retd) KK Venugopal had assessed not only the stall and spin but also other flying characteristics of the aircraft.



More About The Made In India HTT-40



This comes under the category of “Indian designed, developed and manufactured” (IDDM) equipment, as per the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016. And the Basic Trainer has so far cleared all the Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQR).



This trainer has been designed and developed by HAL and is a basic fixed-wing aircraft.



It is good for the young IAF officers who are going to learn how to fly an aircraft and will be equipped with Honeywell turboprop engine TPE-331-12B.



In an effort to give boost to Make in India initiative, the Air Chief had announced that the IAF was looking towards the indigenous trainer.



In a span of five years, the HTT-40 has so far completed all the major spin tests.
 

Alfalfa

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
196
Likes
442
Country flag
Credit is due where it is deserved.. Ajai Shukla has been instrumental in resisting the IAF pressure to buy those Pilatus aircraft... he wrote report after report, sat on a bunch of committees and helped turn Manohar Parrikars opinion on it...

I dont want to get into the whole reporting big on the LAC anymore, that goat got flogged to death on another thread.... Patriotism isn't the sole purview of any one particular set of folks....
 

Tridev123

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2018
Messages
887
Likes
3,125
Country flag
8 turn spins Done
Can the HTT - 40 be weaponised. Like carrying one or two smart laser guided bombs along with a laser designator pod. Can be a cheap bomber aircraft with low operating costs for countries like Afghanistan. Since it will fly at high altitude and use LGB it cannot be shot down by VSHORADS like Stinger missiles. Will laser guided bombs be cost effective or are they too expensive compared to dumb bombs.

The IJT or Sitara should also succeed. It has been redesigned. Only the spin and stall tests need to be demonstrated.
 

Dessert Storm

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2020
Messages
1,672
Likes
5,862
Country flag
Can the HTT - 40 be weaponised. Like carrying one or two smart laser guided bombs along with a laser designator pod. Can be a cheap bomber aircraft with low operating costs for countries like Afghanistan. Since it will fly at high altitude and use LGB it cannot be shot down by VSHORADS like Stinger missiles. Will laser guided bombs be cost effective or are they too expensive compared to dumb bombs.

The IJT or Sitara should also succeed. It has been redesigned. Only the spin and stall tests need to be demonstrated.
Rocket pods and bombs can theoretically be integrated for low intensity close air support. CAS ain't high altitude missions. Better not put this plane in a Stinger environment.
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
HAL aircraft clears crucial spin test
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-developed Hindustan Turboprop Trainer (HTT 40) aircraft programme which is aiming to get a certification prior to its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed eight turn spins during its trials in Bengaluru.


The spin testing is the most crucial and challenging aspect of flight testing of any aircraft development programme and now with the completion eight turn spin test to both right and left, the aircraft is on its way to being certified.


During the spin turn, the aircraft enters in two or three or five spins and subsequently recovers with the appropriate controls. A few months ago the aircraft had completed hot refuelling with the engine running.


The (HTT-40) is a tandem-seat trainer aircraft with advanced features like zero-zero ejection seats and multi-function displays, it can also be adapted as a light attack aircraft. Its role includes basic flying training, aerobatics, instrument flying, navigation, night flying, close formation etc.
 

Pash

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2016
Messages
1,842
Likes
9,094
Country flag
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top