By Staff Correspondent
Defexpo 2022 saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveil HTT-40, the indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), at the India Pavilion during DefExpo-2022. Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh and Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel, were present. The aircraft has state-of-the-art modern systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.
The Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) was indigenously designed and developed by HAL. HTT-40 would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and close formation flights, whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying. HTT-40 is an example of cutting-edge technology designed to meet the primary training requirements of the Indian defence services.
The HTT-40 is built around a well-evaluated turbo-prop engine, equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin and ejection seats. HTT-40 boasts unique features like running change-over of pilots, hot-refuelling and short- turnaround time.
The HTT-40 will be certified to international military aircraft training standards. All the tests required for certification were completed six years after the first flight.
The trainer is a milestone in indigenisation, boasting over 60% in-house parts and collaboration with private industry; the HTT-40 is a shining example of the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The HTT-40 has completed all systems tests, all PSQR performances, hot weather, sea level and cross-wind trials, and user-assisted technical trials. Its controls are optimised, and 10 Turn Spins are demonstrated on clean aircraft. The HTT-40 was shown for rainwater resistance, and all systems were certified to PSQR and FAR 23. Provisional clearance for the Airworthiness of the aircraft is received from CEMILAC.
Military aviation analyst and former IAF fighter pilot, Group Captain Johnson Chacko (r) told IADB, “In India’s quest for Atmanirbharta the design and development of a basic trainer aircraft like the HTT 40 is significant. No doubt that it would have been easier with the skill sets that were developed during LCA. However, if the cost is lesser than the Pilatus it will be of great value for the nation.”
“If the average cost of an aeronautical engineer is about $1000 in India and the same six to seven times in the West, we should be able to make such aeroplanes at a much cheaper cost. If the cost comes down, many will buy it for hobby flying or even as a private plane,” he explained further before signing off.
