| HJT-36 Sitara | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Side shot of the HJT-36 at Yelahanka Air Force Base | |
| General information | |
| Type | Intermediate trainer |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Designer | Aircraft Research and Design Centre |
| Status | Limited series production |
| Primary users | Indian Air Force |
| Number built | 16[1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 2026 (Planned) |
| First flight | 7 March 2003 |
| Developed from | HJT-16 Kiran |
| Developed into | HAL HJT 39 |
The HAL HJT-36 Sitara (Sitārā: "Star") is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft designed and developed by Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC)[2] and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The HJT-36 will replace the HAL HJT-16 Kiran as the Stage-2 trainer for the two forces.[3]
The Sitara is a conventional jet trainer with low swept wings, tandem cockpit and small air intakes for the engine on either side of its fuselage. It entered limited series production by 2010 but according to the Indian Air Force officials it remained "unfit" for service due to technological issues related to spin test (as of March 2017).,[4] an issue which was only solved in tests in January 2022.[5]
In April 2019, Sitara flew for the first time in three years with a modified air frame to correct its spin characteristics.[6]
- ^ Pubby, Manu (9 February 2020). "Spin test in July may revive intermediate jet trainer plan". Economic Times.
- ^ "With expected 83 Tejas MK1A orders, ARDC shapes India's upgraded fighter". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Why India's new jet trainer is in a spin | Times Aerospace".
- ^ Bedi, Rahul. "India's HJT-36 Sitara remains 'unfit' for use as intermediate jet trainer". Jane's 360. IHS. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (7 January 2022). "Intermediate Jet Trainer has cleared a major milestone, says HAL chief". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ Waldron, Greg (18 April 2019). "PICTURES: HAL HJT-36 IJT flies after three year hiatus". Flightglobal.com.