HAL successfully begins spin test for trainer aircraft HTT 40

[Skull and Bones]

In a major boost to defence PSU HAL, its Hindustan Turboprop Trainer (HTT 40), a Basic Trainer Aircraft, commenced its most awaited phase of the “spin test” by successfully entering into two-turn spin and subsequently recovering with the appropriate controls.

The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt (Retd) K K Venugopal, DGM-Test Pilot from front cock pit and Gp Capt S Chaki (Retd), Sr Test Pilot (FW) from rear, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) release said.

According to HAL, the spin testing is the most crucial and challenging aspect of flight testing of any aircraft development programme.

HALs Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) had conducted extensive wind tunnel testing and mathematical model analyses to arrive at the spin chacteristics of the aircraft.

The entire study was put to test during the first few moments of spin testing, it said.

HAL CMD R. Madhavan said the successful start of the spin testing gave a boost to HAL and also restored its credibility in successfully designing a spin worthy aircraft.

Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engineering and R&D) said the spin completion was the last metric which needed to be accomplished before the aircraft entered service.

“As a matter of fact, HTT 40 exceeds the Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) on most fronts and offers a technologically advanced product than its competitor, Chatterjee said.

HAL said the project started its detail design in August 2013 with internal funding and quickly made its way to the spin tests in matter of five years.



The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...raft-htt-40/story-V48Hh4UGJ0CHadovNeYm1O.html

 

[SSGcommandoPAK]

Why is this trainer so expensive ?
HTT 40 = 7mn USD
Super Mushak= 1mn USD
If we compare performance HTT 40 is slightly larger and better,but that slightly better performance doesn't mean that it should cost x7 times more. 4mn USD would have been a good price.

 

[Tshering22]

Why is this trainer so expensive ?
HTT 40 = 7mn USD
Super Mushak= 1mn USD
If we compare performance HTT 40 is slightly larger and better,but that slightly better performance doesn't mean that it should cost x7 times more. 4mn USD would have been a good price.

The costs are being worked out based on the contract signed. Remember it is still an MoU. HAL's way of working is to seek a project, develop and test it, field it and then let the forces decide on the total commitments to be made.

For example, while IAF wants a total of 250 Tejas jets (including Mk2), the contract confirmed for now is of 123 only (83+40 in Mk1 and Mk1A standards respectively). However, once Mk2 shows the promise, the remaining 127 would be signed immediately and pricing would be done, factoring in economies of scale, recovery of payments of past orders etc.

HTT-40 is no different.

Besides, With over 70 is only the initial order as IAF will retire more Kirans in next 2-4 years. Once those go out, another 70-100 shall be ordered.

That is when cost will be rationalised.

Even if it isn't, the money goes from the government to a government owned entity - returning back to its own coffers while augmenting local production capabilities which could trigger foreign sales in the future.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Why is this trainer so expensive ?
HTT 40 = 7mn USD
Super Mushak= 1mn USD
If we compare performance HTT 40 is slightly larger and better,but that slightly better performance doesn't mean that it should cost x7 times more. 4mn USD would have been a good price.

Prices are mostly because of lower orders, ideally 3-4 million a piece will attract a lot of international interest.