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HAL HJT-36 “sitara” back in top-gear
by Sati Ramachandran
India’s indigenous jet trainer HJT-36 “sitara” is back in top-gear. The tandem seated ,subsonic jet trainer’s development was ahead of schedule when it faced a tragic turn of events. In February 2007 at the Aero India show at the Yelahanka air base near Bangalore, PT-1, the first prototype aircraft suffered serious damage when its canopy flew open during takeoff causing the aircraft to veer to the right off the runway. This caused the aircraft to tilt, which damaged the starboard wing. The program’s chief test pilot and the pilot of the aircraft, Squadron Leader Baldev Singh, apparently forgot to secure the canopy safely.
The development of the aircraft was slowed down from then. However,as per the latest information,HAL has started the procedures to setup the infrastructure facilities for manufacturing the HJT-36 in Tambaram,Chennai. A formal tender for setting up of the facilities is already issued.
The power plant of the aircraft,NPO Saturn AL-55I,will be locally made under license at HAL’s aeroengineering centre,Koraput. The facility to mass produce the HJT-36 will also speed up the the production of LCA Tejas due
the interchangeability of some parts.
HJT-36 has already secured an order for 76 aircrafts for the IAF. The Surya Kiran acrobatics team will also gradually shift to the Sitara.The trainer has a full glass cockpit with a layout similar to current generation combat aircraft. It uses an integrated digital avionics system from GE Aviation Systems. Active matrix liquid crystal multi-function displays from Thales and GE Aviation were evaluated. Head-up display and repeater is sourced from Elbit Systems. The instructor’s station in the rear cockpit has a data entry display panel. The aircraft also has dual VHF and UHF communications systems.The aircraft is fitted with a 9kW starter generator and two nickel cadmium 43Ah batteries.
HAL HJT-36 “sitara” back in top-gear | India dreams big
by Sati Ramachandran
India’s indigenous jet trainer HJT-36 “sitara” is back in top-gear. The tandem seated ,subsonic jet trainer’s development was ahead of schedule when it faced a tragic turn of events. In February 2007 at the Aero India show at the Yelahanka air base near Bangalore, PT-1, the first prototype aircraft suffered serious damage when its canopy flew open during takeoff causing the aircraft to veer to the right off the runway. This caused the aircraft to tilt, which damaged the starboard wing. The program’s chief test pilot and the pilot of the aircraft, Squadron Leader Baldev Singh, apparently forgot to secure the canopy safely.
The development of the aircraft was slowed down from then. However,as per the latest information,HAL has started the procedures to setup the infrastructure facilities for manufacturing the HJT-36 in Tambaram,Chennai. A formal tender for setting up of the facilities is already issued.
The power plant of the aircraft,NPO Saturn AL-55I,will be locally made under license at HAL’s aeroengineering centre,Koraput. The facility to mass produce the HJT-36 will also speed up the the production of LCA Tejas due
the interchangeability of some parts.
HJT-36 has already secured an order for 76 aircrafts for the IAF. The Surya Kiran acrobatics team will also gradually shift to the Sitara.The trainer has a full glass cockpit with a layout similar to current generation combat aircraft. It uses an integrated digital avionics system from GE Aviation Systems. Active matrix liquid crystal multi-function displays from Thales and GE Aviation were evaluated. Head-up display and repeater is sourced from Elbit Systems. The instructor’s station in the rear cockpit has a data entry display panel. The aircraft also has dual VHF and UHF communications systems.The aircraft is fitted with a 9kW starter generator and two nickel cadmium 43Ah batteries.
HAL HJT-36 “sitara” back in top-gear | India dreams big
