Context
The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 is set to be unveiled during the 12th edition of the DefExpo.
Key-points
- The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is developed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The trainer aircraft is expected to be unveiled at the India Pavilion during the DefExpo 2022.
- The HAL and Indian Air Force will finalize a contract for 70 HTT-40s during the event.
- The aircraft will be powered by the TPE331-12 family of engines developed by Honeywell International Inc.
- This enables the trainer aircraft to quickly accelerate, consume lesser fuel, and increase reliability and flexibility to conduct a wide range of training missions.
- 70 percent of the HTT-40 is made of indigenous Indian content.
- HTT-40 will be used by the IAF for training new pilots before they are allowed to use more advanced HAL HJT-16 Kiran (intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft) and “Hawk” Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).
- After the AJT training is complete, the trainees can be posted to fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force.
- The HTT-40 will be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and close formation flight.
- The aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin, and ejection seats.
- It provides the best-in-class fuel economy and power rating and is capable of taking off from a short distance.
- It has a high rate of climb and a maximum speed of 450 km per hour.
- It can reach a maximum distance of 1,000 km.
- The aircraft successfully completed its spin flight certification test last year.
- It is now set to be certified to international military aircraft training standards. It had completed all tests required for the certification.
- HAL is currently planning to develop a weaponized version of this aircraft to be used in counter-insurgency and limited strike operations.
