Aerospace Diary

by   Neelam Mathews  -  June 22, 2016, 2:31 PM The HTT-40 is a tandem-seat design powered by a Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop. (Photo: HAL) The Hindustan Turbo Trainer  HTT -40 for the Indian Air Force ( IAF ) made its formal inaugural flight in front of defense minister Manohar Parrikar on June 16. The 15-minute flight included a low speed pass, a series of turns, a high-speed pass and short landing using reverse thrust. Designed and developed by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL ), the tandem-cockpit  HTT -40 has a gross weight of 2,800 kg (6,200 pounds) and is powered by a Honeywell  TPE -331-12B turboprop engine. It was  rolled out  last February and is the first  HAL  design to be produced from a digital mockup. Parrikar said that the indigenous content of the  HTT -40 is close to 80 percent, and that almost 50 percent of the components are sourced from private Indian companies. The...

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  APRIL 4, 2014 by    NEELAM MATHEWS The Indian Air Force has released an RFI for the acquisition of 106 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II basic trainers, in addition to the 75 it ordered in 2012 to replace the HAL HPT-32. (Photo: Pilatus Aircraft) April 3, 2014, 11:54 AM Impatient with delays in inducting the  HJT -36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer from government-owned defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ), the Indian air force has issued a request for information ( RFI ) for Stage  II  intermediate jet trainers. The Indian Air Force ( IAF ) requires 85  IJT s, and the cutoff date for  RFI  response is April 4. Specifications for the lightweight two-seat, single-jet  IJT  include: ejection seats; tricycle landing gear; a ferry range of at least 1,500 km; 1,000 kg of external load; five hardpoints; the capability to employ a lightweight gun/gun pod wi...