HTT- 40 Basic Trainer Aircraft To Be Supplied Soon To Indian Airforce by HAL
The HTT-40 is an all-metal, tandan seat aircraft powered by a 1,100 hp (820 kW) turboprop engine. HAL rolled out the first prototype on 2 February 2016 and it first flew on 31 May 2016. The HTT-40 made its first public introduction flight on 17 June 2016, with Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parikkar in attendance at the HAL airport in Bangalore. On 19 May 2017, the second prototype had its first flight.
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. In January 2020 HAL forecast that limited series production to start during 2020. On 11 August 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council approved procuring 108 HTT-40s for the Indian Air Force. This air raft will now replace the HPT 32 the basic trainer of the IAF.
Finally now the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for HTT-40 Basic Trainers requirement today at the ongoing Aero India 2021.
The RFP is for 70 aircraft with additional clause for 38 more. The production will take place at HAL’s two manufacturing units at Bangalore and Nashik.
HAL receiving RFP for Basic Trainer HTT-40 from IAF
The RFP has come within six years from the first flight of the aircraft. The trainer will have over 60% indigenous content and is supported by agencies such as CEMILAC, RDAQ, ASTE and others.
The HTT-40 can be used for basic flying training, aerobatics, instrument flying, navigation, night flying and practise close formation. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,800 kg, can attain speed of 450 kph and has a range of 1,000 km.
