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New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The first Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) series production aircraft, TH 4001, which will train the next generation air warriors, took to the skies at the HAL facility in Bengaluru on Friday, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said.
Taking it to the X, HAL said, “The HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft is a fully aerobatic, tandem-seat, turboprop aircraft designed to provide basic flying training, aerobatics, instrument flying and night flying.”
Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 is an ab-initio trainer aircraft designed to meet primary training requirements.
This fully aerobatic, tandem-seat turbo trainer will have an air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot refueling, quick pilot changeover and near-zero ejection seats.
Built around a proven turboprop engine, this aircraft is designed to exhibit good low-speed handling qualities, enhancing training effectiveness. This aircraft will be certified as per FAR-23 standard.
The training aircraft has a maximum speed of 450 kilometers per hour and a maximum service range of six kilometers.
The HTT-40 first flew on May 31, 2016, and received system-level certification on June 6, 2022.
Earlier, the IAF had signed a contract with HAL for the supply of 70 aircraft, the induction of which was earlier to begin on September 15, 2025 and continue till March 15, 2030.
HTT-40 will enhance the quality of training of ab-initio pilots of the Indian Armed Forces.
The purchase will also include a full mission simulator for the aircraft, which will complement aerial training, allowing pilots to practice different profiles on the ground before flying, an official said.
HTT-40 is another step towards achieving greater self-reliance in the defense and aviation sector in line with the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
It is noteworthy that on October 17, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, while talking about the importance of self-reliance in the defense sector, had said, “Now we cannot be limited to just LCA Tejas or HTT-40. Now the time has come that we establish our identity in the field of next generation aircraft, unmanned systems and civil aviation also.”
The Defense Minister said, “And I am confident that HAL Nashik will play an important role in all these areas in the times to come. Today, we are emphasizing on cutting-edge, indigenous technologies. I am very happy to see that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is strongly representing India in this direction.”
–IANS
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