HAL’s HJT-36 intermediate military jet-trainer prototype, making its European debut at Le Bourget, will likely be joined soon by a new and more potent project for advanced and lead-in fighter training, company chairman Ashok Baweja told Show News on Tuesday.
Designated the HJT-39 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), the new aircraft will use a similar digital avionics and mission systems package to the HJT-36, but is being designed for transonic performance with powered controls to meet its extended training roles. It will also be powered by two Ufa Engine Building Association (UMPO)/Saturn AL-55 turbofans similar to the single engine of the HJT-6, but each developing 4,400 pounds thrust. A government go-ahead for the AJT-39 is still awaited, after which a prototype could begin flight development within about 40 months.
Among HAL’s many other military aircraft activities now are licensed production of 140 Sukhoi SU-30MKI multi-role combat aircraft, unique in being the world’s only fighters to be in service with engine thrust-vectoring, and also flight development and initial production of ADA’s Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA). The first three of eight planned prototype and technology demonstrator Tejas have been flying for some time, and initial contracts are imminent for the first two production batches, 20 aircraft each. GE F404-powered Tejas deliveries to the IAF are due to start in mid-2007.
HAL production of its Dhruv advanced light helicopter, seen for the second time at the Paris Air Show — on this occasion an army version with weapons — is now well advanced. Two have already been exported to Nepal, and there have been Indian military deliveries. Another has been operating in Chile, where agreement has been reached with ENAER to establish a HAL helicopter technical support center for North, Central and South America. The chairman also revealed that negotiations have reached an advanced stage between HAL and Eurocopter for partnership in an unspecified joint helicopter project. —John Fricker
