HAL HTT-40 explained

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.[1] [2]

Design and development

The HTT-40 is a tandem seat trainer aircraft powered by a 11000NaN0 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, 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[?]"[3] [4] [5]

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".

Once the HTT-40 started flying, the Indian Air Force commander publicly stated that IAF will buy the HTT-40 in large numbers.[6]

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".[7]

On 21 June 2015, HAL chose the Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop to power the trainer.[8] 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.[9]

HAL rolled out the first prototype on 2 February 2016[10] 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.[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 is to start in year 2020–21.[14] On 11 August 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council approved procuring 106 HTT-40s for the Indian Air Force.[15] At Aero India 2021, HAL received request for proposal from the IAF for 70 HTT40s with an option for 38 more. Production will take place at the Bangalore and Nashik manufacturing plants.[16]

By August 2021, the HTT-40 had completed its spin certification flight testing.[17] The platform received its provisional certificate of airworthiness from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) on 6 June 2022.[18] At DefExpo 2022, IAF and HAL concluded crore contract for 70 HTT-40. The remaining 36 will be procured after operationalization of HTT-40, with a possible follow on of 38 more airframes.[19] fleet.[20]

Operators

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HAL Offers New Basic Trainer to Air Force. https://web.archive.org/web/20101217003650/http://indiadefenceonline.com/1146/hal-offers-new-basic-trainer-to-air-force. dead. December 17, 2010.
  2. Web site: Hal htt-40. 8 May 2012. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222115526/http://www.hal-india.com/futureproducts/products.asp. 22 December 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  3. News: MoD rejects HAL's proposal to build basic trainer. 19 December 2012. Shukla. Ajai. 19 December 2012. Business Standard.
  4. Web site: Basic trainer for IAF | Millennium Post . Millenniumpost.in . 2012-06-22 . 2012-11-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104050658/http://millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=4459 . 2012-11-04 . dead .
  5. Web site: SP's Special Correspondent . HAL scouts engine for HTT 40 basic trainer - SP's Aviation . Spsaviation.net . 2012-06-18 . 2012-11-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120626162750/http://www.spsaviation.net/exclusive/?id=70&h=HAL-scouts-engine-for-HTT-40-basic-trainer . 2012-06-26 .
  6. News: Will induct indigenous HTT 40 planes in large numbers: IAF chief. 2016-09-01. The Indian Express. 2018-01-09. en-US.
  7. Web site: Parrikar: 68 basic trainer aircraft to come from HAL, 38 from Pilatus. 1 March 2015. The Indian Express. 1 March 2015.
  8. Web site: Pocock . Chris . Mathews . Neelam . 19 June 2015 . HAL Chooses TPE331 for New Indian Basic Trainer . 2022-07-31 . Aviation International News . en.
  9. Web site: Kumar . Chethan . 27 July 2022 . HAL, Honeywell ink $100 million pack for HTT engine . 2022-07-31 . The Times of India . en.
  10. Web site: Boost to Make in India: HAL Rolls-out HTT-40 Prototype. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203091436/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Boost-to-Make-in-India-HAL-Rolls-out-HTT-40-Prototype/2016/02/02/article3257448.ece. dead. 3 February 2016. The New Indian Express. 2 February 2016.
  11. Web site: Indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft makes inaugural flight - Times of India. indiatimes.com. 17 June 2016.
  12. Web site: HTT-40 2nd prototype completes maiden flight | Bengaluru News - Times of India. The Times of India.
  13. Web site: No need to import trainer aircraft, HTT 40 to be ready by December: HAL. Manu. Pubby. July 29, 2019. The Economic Times.
  14. Web site: HAL needs new orders to prevent complete halt of production after 2021-22. January 11, 2020.
  15. Web site: 2020-08-11. IAF to get Made in India trainer aircraft from HAL; DAC approves proposals worth Rs 8722 crore. 2020-08-11. The Financial Express. en-US.
  16. Web site: Urs. Anil. 4 February 2021. HAL hopes to fly high with CATS Warrior and RUAV drones . 2021-03-30. Business Line. en.
  17. Web site: India: HTT-40 training aircraft ready for operational clearance. www.airrecognition.com.
  18. Web site: Thapar . Vishal . 7 June 2022 . Big Make In India Milestone, As HAL's Basic Trainer Aircraft Gets Airworthiness Certification . 2022-10-20 . BW Businessworld . en.
  19. Web site: Bedi . Rahul . 4 February 2021 . Aero India 2021: Indian Air Force issues RFP to HAL for 70 basic trainers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130060217/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/aero-india-2021-indian-air-force-issues-rfp-to-hal-for-70-basic-trainers . 30 January 2023 . 2023-01-30 . Janes.com . en.
  20. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2022-10-20 . IAF-HAL conclude ₹6,800 crore contract for 70 HTT-40 trainer aircraft . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-10-20 . 0971-751X.
  21. Web site: Union Cabinet approves procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL for Indian Air Force at a cost of over Rs 6,800 crore. 2023-03-01. pib.gov.in. en.
  22. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2022-10-20 . IAF-HAL conclude ₹6,800 crore contract for 70 HTT-40 trainer aircraft . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-01-30 . 0971-751X.

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