Aircraft HTT-40

Context

The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 is set to be unveiled during the 12th edition of the DefExpo.

Key-points

• The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is developed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The trainer aircraft is expected to be unveiled at the India Pavilion during the DefExpo 2022.
• The HAL and Indian Air Force will finalize a contract for 70 HTT-40s during the event.
• The aircraft will be powered by the TPE331-12 family of engines developed by Honeywell International Inc. 
• This enables the trainer aircraft to quickly accelerate, consume lesser fuel, and increase reliability and flexibility to conduct a wide range of training missions.
• 70 percent of the HTT-40 is made of indigenous Indian content.
• HTT-40 will be used by the IAF for training new pilots before they are allowed to use more advanced HAL HJT-16 Kiran (intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft) and “Hawk” Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).
• After the AJT training is complete, the trainees can be posted to fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force.
• The HTT-40 will be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and close formation flight.
• The aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin, and ejection seats.
• It provides the best-in-class fuel economy and power rating and is capable of taking off from a short distance. 
• It has a high rate of climb and a maximum speed of 450 km per hour.
• It can reach a maximum distance of 1,000 km.
• The aircraft successfully completed its spin flight certification test last year.
• It is now set to be certified to international military aircraft training standards. It had completed all tests required for the certification.
• HAL is currently planning to develop a weaponized version of this aircraft to be used in counter-insurgency and limited strike operations.