What is HTT-40?

October 18, 2022

The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 is set to be unveiled during the 12th edition of the DefExpo on October 19, 2022.

Key facts

The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is developed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The trainer aircraft is expected to be unveiled at the India Pavilion during the DefExpo 2022.
The HAL and Indian Air Force will finalize a contract for 70 HTT-40s during the event.
The aircraft will be powered TPE331-12 family of engines developed by Honeywell International Inc. This enables the trainer aircraft to quickly accelerate, consume lesser fuel, and increase reliability and flexibility to conduct a wide range of training missions.
70 per cent of the HTT-40 is made of indigenous Indian content.
HTT-40 will be used by the IAF for training new pilots before they are allowed to use more advanced HAL HJT-16 Kiran (intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft) and “Hawk” Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).
After the AJT training is complete, the trainees can be posted to fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force.
The HTT-40 will be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and close formation flight.
The aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin, and ejection seats.
It provides the best-in-class fuel economy and power rating and is capable of taking off from a short distance. It has a high rate of climb and a maximum speed of 450 km per hour.
It can reach a maximum distance of 1,000 km.
The aircraft successfully completed its spin flight certification test last year.
It is now set to be certified to international military aircraft training standards. It had completed all tests required for the certification.
HAL is currently planning to develop a weaponized version of this aircraft to be used in counter-insurgency and limited strike operations.