HAL HTT-40

The HAL HTT-40 is an Indian training aircraft, designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will replace the Indian Air Force's retired HPT-32 Deepak as a basic trainer.[2][3]

HTT-40
Role Basic training aircraft
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
First flight 31 May 2016[1]
Status Under development
Primary user Indian Air Force
Number built 2 prototypes

Design and development

The HTT-40 is an all-metal, tandem seat aircraft powered by a 1,100 hp (820 kW) turboprop engine. In early 2012 the company forecast building 106 examples.[3]

By the middle of 2012 the aircraft's future was in doubt as the Indian Air Force ordered 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk IIs to fill the role envisioned for the HTT-40. In September 2012 the Air Force indicated that it had formally rejected the HTT-40 for service based on its cost per aircraft being double that of the PC-7 Mk II, a proven aircraft, already in service worldwide. An MoD official noted, "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[?]"[4][5][6]

At that time HAL did not confirm the IAF announcement that it will not buy the HTT-40, nor did the company indicate whether the aircraft's development will be continued. A company spokesman said, "We treat all MOD issues/proposals as confidential...All our projects are conceived with national interest in mind though, at times, some of those take time to fructify".[4]

Once the HTT-40 started flying, the Indian Air Force commander publicly stated that IAF will buy the HTT-40 in large numbers.[7]

A HAL HTT-40 in November 2019.

On 28 February 2015, it was reported that the Indian defense ministry had selected 68 HAL HTT-40 trainers and 38 Pilatus trainers to replace its current trainer fleet, stating that this move was "commercially viable".[8]

On 21 June 2015, HAL chose the Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop to power the trainer.[9]

HAL rolled out the first prototype on 2 February 2016[10] and it first flew on 31 May 2016.[1]

The HTT-40 made its first public introduction flight on 17 June 2016, with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in attendance at the HAL airport in Bangalore.[11] On 19 May 2017, the second prototype had its first flight.[12]

In July 2019 it was anticipated that initial operational clearance would be reached by end of 2019 and that, after placement of an order, the first aircraft would be delivered to the IAF within a year.[13] In January 2020 HAL forecast that limited series production to start during 2020.[14] On 11 August 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council approved procuring 106 HTT-40s for the Indian Air Force.[15]

Orders

 India

Specifications (HTT-40)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
  • Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 1.75 in)
  • Gross weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 450 kg
  • Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop, 834 kW (1,100 shp) derated to 708 kW (950 shp)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 400 km/h (249 mph, 216 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 450 km/h (279 mph, 243 kn)
  • Range: 1,000 km (621 mi, 540 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-3

Armament

  • Can be armed with a gun, rockets and bombs[19][20]

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. "HAL-built HTT-40's first flight successful". One India. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  2. HAL Offers New Basic Trainer to Air Force Archived December 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (n.d.). "Hal htt-40". Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  4. Shukla, Ajai (19 December 2012). "MoD rejects HAL's proposal to build basic trainer". Business Standard. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  5. "Basic trainer for IAF | Millennium Post". Millenniumpost.in. 2012-06-22. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  6. SP's Special Correspondent (2012-06-18). "HAL scouts engine for HTT 40 basic trainer - SP's Aviation". Spsaviation.net. Archived from the original on 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  7. "Will induct indigenous HTT 40 planes in large numbers: IAF chief". The Indian Express. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
  8. "Parrikar: 68 basic trainer aircraft to come from HAL, 38 from Pilatus". The Indian Express. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  9. "HAL Chooses TPE331 for New Indian Basic Trainer".
  10. "Boost to Make in India: HAL Rolls-out HTT-40 Prototype". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  11. "Indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft makes inaugural flight - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  12. "HTT-40 2nd prototype completes maiden flight | Bengaluru News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  13. Pubby, Manu (July 29, 2019). "No need to import trainer aircraft, HTT 40 to be ready by December: HAL" – via The Economic Times.
  14. "HAL needs new orders to prevent complete halt of production after 2021-22". January 11, 2020.
  15. "IAF to get Made in India trainer aircraft from HAL; DAC approves proposals worth Rs 8722 crore". The Financial Express. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  16. "HAL to sign orders for 73 Advanced Light Helicopters, 106 HTT-40 trainers". India Economic Times. Bengaluru. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  17. "Army, IAF to soon get 73 choppers, 106 HTT-40 trainers from HAL: CMD". India Financial Express. Bengaluru. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  18. Jackson, Paul; Peacock, Lindsay; Bushell, Susan; Willis, David; Winchester, Jim, eds. (2016–2017). "India". IHS Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production. Couldson. p. 306. ISBN 978-0710631770.
  19. Shukla, Ajai (15 April 2013). "HAL's trainer pitted as Rs 4,500 cr cheaper than Swiss Pilatus trainer". Business Standard. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  20. "'Our trainer aircraft 40 times better than F-16s'". Bangalore Mirror. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.

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