Specialists of the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) finalized two flight models of the advanced HJT-36 Sitara advanced jet trainer, as a result of which the aircraft will be able to perform complex aerobatic maneuvers, including “barrel”.
AT 2019 India resumed the HJT-36 Sitara advanced flight training jet trainer program, stopped in 2016 year after the discovery of malfunctions in the control of the aircraft. In particular, after doing “barrels” it was extremely difficult for the pilot to regain control of the aircraft.
During the modification of the aircraft, slightly moving the vertical stabilizer back, increased rudder surface area In addition, small parachutes were installed on the plane, with which it will be possible to interrupt the uncontrolled rotation along the longitudinal axis in case of impossibility of restoring control.
The modernized aircraft have already made their first flights, performing one rotation to port and to starboard, tests deemed successful.
The development of the Indian trainer aircraft started in 1997 year as part of a program to reduce the dependence of the Indian armed forces on imported weapons and military equipment. The first flight of the HJT-36 took place in 2003 year, after which development continued with varying degrees of success until 2014 of the year, when experts identified a significant overweight of the aircraft. Unable to cope with the problem on its own, India turned to several foreign companies to assist in reducing the weight of the aircraft..
AT 2016 year tests were stopped, resumed only in 2019. To date, two modified flight models of the aircraft are participating in the tests..
The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 5400 kg. Wingspan 9,8 meters with an aircraft length of 10,91 m. Engine: 1 Р TRDD “Saturn” AL-55I. Maximum thrust – 1 × 1760 kgf. full speed – 750 kmh, service ceiling – 9000 m. Crew 2 man. Has five points for hanging weapons.
