HTT-40 is an indigenous basic trainer aircraft, whose inaugural flight was witnessed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today.
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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, on Friday attributed the increased terrorist encounters in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to enhanced intelligence networks and allayed fears of an increased problem in the valley.
Stating that HAL has proven track record in the design and development of basic trainer, Chairman T Suvarna Raju said HTT-40 was an example of the company’s commitment to indigenously developing trainer aircraft for the armed forces.
The HTT-40 is a propeller-driven, turbo-prop aircraft for stage-1 training of rookie pilots, learning to fly their first aircraft.
The aircraft’s detailed design was launched in August 2013 with HAL’s internal funding. The minister also complimented Prashant Singh Bhadoria, the 36-year- old Project Manager of HTT-40, for his leadership skills. Towards this HAL would be manufacturing three prototypes and two static test specimens.
For HAL, the challenge now is to certify the trainer by 2018, putting it through a challenging stall and spin tests.
The Defence Acquisition Committee has signed a letter of Intent for 72 aircraft but this could go up to around 200, depending on demand, Parrikar said. The aircraft is projected to enter production by 2018.
The deal was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April past year during his visit to France when he said India would purchase 36 Rafales in a government-to-government contract. Parrikar said that HAL has full freedom to export the aircraft to friendly countries after the needs of the Indian defence forces are met. “The IAF is positive in all these developments”.
Created to meet the current demands of the Air Force, there was also a provision to include weapons for the trainer aircraft. “The indigenous content on HTT-40 is close to 80 per cent”.
They said the role of private players and MSMEs had been significant in the production of parts and assembly jigs. Nearly 50 per cent of the 4,000 odd components of the aircraft is manufactured by private players of the country’s eco-system.
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The weight of HTT-40 aircraft is about 2800 kg and it has Turbo Prop Engine of 950 shp class.
