HAL HTT-40

The HAL HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-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. The aircraft is known as "Ankur" in the Indian Air Force service.

The HAL HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-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. The aircraft is known as "Ankur" in the Indian Air Force service.

Design and development

The HTT-40 is a tandem seat trainer aircraft powered by a turboprop engine. In early 2012, the company forecast building 106 examples. 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, which is a proven aircraft and 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[?]" At that time, HAL did not indicate whether they with continue with the development of the aircraft. 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". The project formally began in 2013 with an internal funding of from HAL. It took five years for the prototypes to enter spin testing phase. Once the HTT-40 started flying, the Indian Air Force Chief publicly stated that IAF will buy the HTT-40 in large numbers. On 28 February 2015, it was reported that the MoD had selected 68 HAL HTT-40 trainers and 38 Pilatus trainers to replace its current trainer fleet, stating that this move was "commercially viable". On 21 June 2015, HAL chose the Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop to power the trainer. The deal was signed on 27 July 2022, for 88 engines, kits, maintenance and support worth more than $100 million. Honeywell will work with HAL to extend support for exports. HAL rolled out the first prototype on 2 February 2016 and it first flew on 31 May 2016. 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. On 19 May 2017, the second prototype had its first flight. 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. An HTT-40 prototype demonstrated critical six-turn spin test capability in September and sought final operational clearance. The aircraft also cleared Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQRs). HTT-40 procurement falls under the category of "Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured” (IDDM), as per Defence Procurement Policy (2016). By August 2021, the HTT-40 had completed its spin certification flight testing. The platform received its provisional certificate of airworthiness from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) on 6 June 2022.

Operators

Indian Air Force — 70 on order, 3 delivered by September 2026. Service name: Ankur.

Specifications (HTT-40)

See also

References

External links

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377884361 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.