NAL Saras, Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) & Hansa Project

[Ujjain]

Indian Light Transport Aircraft Saras is undergoing a series of modifications & upgrades. Exploratory flight-tests on-going with composite propellers.

If jet powered saras is really on cards then they should go for HTFE25 engine and make this aircraft a true indian venture.

 

[Karthi]

https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/indias-saras-mk2-completes-second-test-flight-2857
India's SARAS Mk2 completes second test flight.

The Indian Air Force has committed to ordering an initial batch of 15 SARAS Mk 2 twin turboprop aircraft, following the successful second test flight of the aircraft in its upgraded configuration on 21st February.

The Indian Air Force has committed to ordering an initial batch of 15 SARAS Mk 2 twin turboprop aircraft. The news followed the successful second test flight of the aircraft in its upgraded configuration on 21st February.

This was the second of the 20 test flights planned for SARAS PT1N, before freezing the production configuration. The first flight was carried out on 24th January.

The design and development of the aircraft is being managed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, NAL. According to NAL, the production design is expected to be finalised by June-July this year.

The SARAS project — initially launched in the 1990s — was revived by the current government after a long pause following an accident involving a prototype aircraft during a test flight in 2009. NAL has incorporated a series of design modifications and improvements, including 1,200shp engines and 104-inch diameter propellers for improved climb performance, upgraded flight control system, rudder area, main wheel and brakes, indigenously developed stall warning system, etc.

CSIR-NAL proposes to seek certification of the 14-seat SARAS Mk 2 version initially for military and subsequently for civil applications. Potential applications include commuter connectivity, air taxi, aerial search/survey, executive transport, disaster management, border patrol, coast guard, ambulance and other community services.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will produce the military version, while the civil version will be built by a private contractor. India is estimated to need 120-160 aircraft in this category – both civil and military versions – over the next 10 years.

Advantages of the upgraded SARAS Mk2 include considerable drag/weight reduction, high cruise speed, reduced fuel consumption, short landing and take-off distance, low cabin noise, ability to operate from hot/high and semi-prepared airfields, pressurised cabin, and low acquisition and maintenance cost.

The improved version is claimed to be 20-25% cheaper than any imported aircraft in the same category.

 

[Karthi]

Composite parts of SARAS aircraft

 

[Karthi]

Possible SARAS NG Cockpi configuration

 

[aditya10r]

Any Update on RTA-70 and RTA 90 aircrafts?

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[Indx TechStyle]

Any Update on RTA-70 and RTA 90 aircrafts?

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Last one:

Ministry of Defence gives nod for proposal to produce Saras civil aircraft developed by NAL

Bengaluru, Feb 21 (UNI) In a major stride towards development of indigenous civilian aircraft , the Union Finance Ministry has approved a Rs 6000 crore project proposal produce Saras aircrarft developed National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), the premier establishment under DRDO.

www.uniindia.com

 

[Karthi]

CAD picture of RTA-70 Turboprop Carrying India's Indigenous 240 Degree Airborne Radar & RTA- 70 Turbofan Carrying India's Indigenous 360 Degree Airborne Radar.


These projects are my personal favourites

 

[Karthi]

Diagram Of Avionics flight test process.

Avionics ground integration test facility.

Ground-based radio testing systems.

Test rig multi-system interface mechanism

 

[Trololo]

New updates on the NAL Saras. Looks like tractor configuration will be used along with cruciform tail, and seating to be for 19 passengers. Also the overall design looks clean and polished.

 

[Trololo]

New updates on the NAL Saras. Looks like tractor configuration will be used along with cruciform tail, and seating to be for 19 passengers. Also the overall design looks clean and polished.

My 2 cents for the Saras:

1> GoI should ask industry to form consortiums. A minimum of 2 consortiums is required.
2> Conduct bidding to sell Saras' production rights to this consortium, along with entire gamut of technologies created by NAL for this project, with full IP ownership. Maybe NAL can also be made a party to this.
3> Assure a minimum order of 100 aircraft. At a minimum ICG will need 20 for patrolling duties, Navy will need 30 in light MPA and light transport configurations, BSF can use 10 for transport and surveillance, IAF will need 20. Remaining can be sold to companies and airlines for regional transport. Idea in armed forces purchases should be to replace old Dorniers first, and then all Dorniers. Dornier 228 should be retired in favor of Saras.
4> Give full rights to consortium to modify the Saras in any whichever way possible, with incentives for further indigenization such as maybe the avionics component.
5> Export en masse to SE-Asia, Africa, and LatAm.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

My 2 cents for the Saras:

1> GoI should ask industry to form consortiums. A minimum of 2 consortiums is required.
2> Conduct bidding to sell Saras' production rights to this consortium, along with entire gamut of technologies created by NAL for this project, with full IP ownership. Maybe NAL can also be made a party to this.
3> Assure a minimum order of 100 aircraft. At a minimum ICG will need 20 for patrolling duties, Navy will need 30 in light MPA and light transport configurations, BSF can use 10 for transport and surveillance, IAF will need 20. Remaining can be sold to companies and airlines for regional transport. Idea in armed forces purchases should be to replace old Dorniers first, and then all Dorniers. Dornier 228 should be retired in favor of Saras.
4> Give full rights to consortium to modify the Saras in any whichever way possible, with incentives for further indigenization such as maybe the avionics component.
5> Export en masse to SE-Asia, Africa, and LatAm.

It has been decided (So far as I know) that Military version shall be produced by HAL while 19 seater civil version shall be made by Private players, TATA perhaps.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Saras is going to cost less 20% less compared to similar one available elsewhere. It will have higher fuel efficiency as well.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

New updates on the NAL Saras. Looks like tractor configuration will be used along with cruciform tail, and seating to be for 19 passengers. Also the overall design looks clean and polished.

From pull configuration to push configuration and from engine mounted on the end part of fuselage to the middle on the wing mounted on upper side.

 

[Suryavanshi]

Saras is going to cost less 20% less compared to similar one available elsewhere. It will have higher fuel efficiency as well.

How can u say that? Any source for this?
Cost doesn't come down until or unless the production line and supply chain is is optimized.
Even with India's low labor cost it is hard to see that the plane will have competitive cost for a good 4 to 5 years of production

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Last one:

Ministry of Defence gives nod for proposal to produce Saras civil aircraft developed by NAL

Bengaluru, Feb 21 (UNI) In a major stride towards development of indigenous civilian aircraft , the Union Finance Ministry has approved a Rs 6000 crore project proposal produce Saras aircrarft developed National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), the premier establishment under DRDO.

www.uniindia.com

Air traffic is increasing in India like nowhere else. Bombay and Delhi airports witnessed 20% rise on YOY basis. We are going need a lot more of planes , particularly small planes to connect Tire 3 cities. If we do not produce such aircrafts here, we are going to loose a big chunk of money to foreign aircraft producers. We need to be proactive and start aircraft production here on a large scale including purchasing of aircraft manufacturing units such as Embrerer and other units in Russia and in UK.

 

[fire starter]

I hope they will clear RTA soon. It will be game changer in our civilian capability.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

How can u say that? Any source for this?
Cost doesn't come down until or unless the production line and supply chain is is optimized.
Even with India's low labor cost it is hard to see that the plane will have competitive cost for a good 4 to 5 years of production

Please read bellow lines.




National Aerospace Laboratory wants govt. push for Saras ...
www.thehindu.com › News › National

Jan 5, 2020 - It says Centre should buy at least 50-60 Saras Mk2 aircraft to make ... is at least 20-25% lower in cost than other aircraft in the similar category. ... Presently, the NAL has only one order from the Indian Air Force for 15 aircraft.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

New updates on the NAL Saras. Looks like tractor configuration will be used along with cruciform tail, and seating to be for 19 passengers. Also the overall design looks clean and polished.

This configuration seems more aerodynamic and light in weight as one do not need those extension to mount engine.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Actually I am a big fan of such project as it adds a huge amount to economy and save big foreign exchange and establish Country as a player among biggies. If you export a car and you export a plane makes a big difference. You are a big player. Like we have taken a lead over china in automobile export, we should do that in Plane export as well. even if we are able to meet our own explosive demand in this sector, it will be a great job. Cost effectiveness in Price and fuel consumption will establish this plane as a leader in the category and will be able to allow our airlines operators to compete in highly competitive cost sensitive market.

 

[FalconSlayers]

Hmmmm.... @Bleh ...