HAL Prepares to Locally Produce AL-55I Engines for HJT-36 Sitara Trainer, 1,200-Hour Service Life Offers Long-Term Cost Savings for IAF Training

In a significant development for India's domestic aerospace industry, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to commence licensed production of the AL-55I turbojet engine.

This move aligns with the HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT) nearing its production phase for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Previously, these engines were assembled by Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC) and then imported to India.

The AL-55I engines, which power the HJT-36, have undergone upgrades to extend their service life to 1,200 flight hours, improving their reliability and operational lifespan.

This enhancement is crucial for the HJT-36 program, which is intended to replace the aging HJT-16 Kiran jet trainers currently used for Stage II pilot training within the IAF.

The HJT-36 Sitara ('Star') is designed to bridge the training gap between basic piston-engine trainers and advanced jet trainers. It offers the simplicity needed for novice pilots transitioning from propeller aircraft while providing the advanced features necessary to prepare them for modern combat jets.

Despite these advantages, the IAF has not yet placed a firm order for the IJT, reflecting the program's history of delays and technical hurdles.

The HJT-36's development has faced numerous setbacks, particularly with spin characteristics, a critical safety aspect for any training aircraft. These delays have led the IAF to restructure its training syllabus.

Rookie pilots now conduct basic and intermediate training on the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop trainers, followed by advanced training on HAL-built Hawk Mk.132 aircraft. This shift reduces reliance on the Kiran, which is being phased out of the training program.

Despite these challenges, HAL remains committed to the HJT-36 program. The company has invested in extensive research and development, including modifications to the Limited Series Production (LSP) 4 aircraft based on wind tunnel testing. These modifications aim to address the aircraft's spin recovery issues, a key performance parameter for jet trainers.

HAL is currently conducting spin flight testing, a critical phase in the aircraft certification process. These tests rigorously evaluate the HJT-36's behavior during spins, ensuring it can safely recover from up to six turns in either direction. This capability is essential for training pilots to handle aircraft in extreme conditions and recover from unintended spins, a vital skill for fighter pilots.

 

[Somebody]

Flight hours only 1200hrs

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We are struggling to make 50KN dry thrust engine. Atleast we should develop sub 40 KN engines in house. Such a development will create a talent pool and necessary infra to move up to higher KN.

 

[BORN FIGHTER]

Flight hours only 1200hrs

Don't matter as we have the freedom of local manufacturing.

 

[Rajesh]

It is pity that GTRE can't able to make suitable engines for HTT-40, IJT-36 and AJT trainers ! Our scientists must crack this engine tech !

 

[swatkats_razor]

What is the current and target percentage of indigenisation for these engines?

If the targer is not 100% then there will be no benifit of license production. Lego-ing from kits produced in Russia is something which small privately owned factories in the business of assembling white-good products can do better and faster.

 

[INDIAN]

So much engine requirement for India in every category, but India don't have the will to develop robust aero engines, there is no good funding, no high altitude test facilities, no test bed aircraft, All the time India has to go to Russia for Kaveri engine testing.
That's why India always remain a low level power and has no strategic culture.

 

[Samridhi Shukla]

Hal has not yet completed spin tests which its not able to do so since last decade or two. it's better to go for a different company altogether for a new plane if they are not able to finish one plane even after 25 years of development timeline

 

[Mango_Indian]

"Licensed Production" sounds so much better than screw-driving.

Fun Fact - HAL has "license produced" close to 1200 AL-31's (SU-30 MKI) under "deep" ToT. Close to 300 RD-33 (Mig-29) engines, close to 3,000 Tumansky engines (Mig 21) and close to 1200 Ardidren 1H Shakti ( Dhruv) engines over the last 40+ years. Not counting lesser stuff.

Look where HAL is today...still "license producing". 40 years later...will still "license produce".

 

[Sandeep]

Hal has not yet completed spin tests which its not able to do so since last decade or two. it's better to go for a different company altogether for a new plane if they are not able to finish one plane even after 25 years of development timeline

They have passed spin tests and received an avionics upgrade.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great to see the jet finally being ready for production as we need to urgently replace the number of very old Kiran trainers.

It’s good that they have made the engine deal as this will help in understanding the technology a lot more as well as manufacturing it.

Ideally the private sector should start to indigenously invest and research different type of thrust engines. The west regardless of receiving orders research different type of engines and improving whatever they have.

It would be better if they develop a joint venture with the government who provides the money and the private sector provides the education and talented people with experience and knowledge in designing and developing engines.

 

[Senapati]

Very good news.
The engine is still under improvement and life may be further extended based in test result.We have freedom to indigenise the components use local spare parts material process test and increaselife.
Now HJT36 goes for production.
Use this engine for developing a twin engined FBW trainer like Mig AT or YAK 130 with radar and wepon.
It helps AMCA pilots.

 

[dunla52]

What is the current and target percentage of indigenisation for these engines?

If the targer is not 100% then there will be no benifit of license production. Lego-ing from kits produced in Russia is something which small privately owned factories in the business of assembling white-good products can do better and faster.

Remove All Babus no commission regime to be World Class

 

[dunla52]

It is High time to make jet engines in house not rely on GE

 

[Akshat]

Don't matter as we have the freedom of local manufacturing.

HAL is only gonna assemble them, as the article says. And Russia anyways won't give any significant ToT. Only the west can do that.

 

[Akshat]

So much engine requirement for India in every category, but India don't have the will to develop robust aero engines, there is no good funding, no high altitude test facilities, no test bed aircraft, All the time India has to go to Russia for Kaveri engine testing.
That's why India always remain a low level power and has no strategic culture.

Bro, massive funding has been given but the problem is that GoI only giving this funding to DRDO. Look at L&T. Germany delayed the engines for Zorawar, and they moved to US, got the engine and delivered the product on time. But (assuming the reports are true which is highly unlikely) DRDO is waiting for Russia to provide them time at their test facility for 9 months instead of taking Kaveri to US, UK, Germany or France. So it is GoI's insistence to invest with DRDO only which is costing us everything.

 

[Akshat]

It’s great to see the jet finally being ready for production as we need to urgently replace the number of very old Kiran trainers.

It’s good that they have made the engine deal as this will help in understanding the technology a lot more as well as manufacturing it.

Ideally the private sector should start to indigenously invest and research different type of thrust engines. The west regardless of receiving orders research different type of engines and improving whatever they have.

It would be better if they develop a joint venture with the government who provides the money and the private sector provides the education and talented people with experience and knowledge in designing and developing engines.

All that only happens when the government provides them with tenders and fixed orders. Imagine if some company dares to venture in the realm, and makes a 85 kN class engine but the specifications like length or shape or amount of air provided by the air intake don't match with Tejas Mk1A. So first the GoI has to release a tender, only then can anyone do anything. Nothing can be developed without a tender from GoI.

 

[BORN FIGHTER]

HAL is only gonna assemble them, as the article says. And Russia anyways won't give any significant ToT. Only the west can do that.

Nobody will give technology.

 

[Sandeep]

All that only happens when the government provides them with tenders and fixed orders. Imagine if some company dares to venture in the realm, and makes a 85 kN class engine but the specifications like length or shape or amount of air provided by the air intake don't match with Tejas Mk1A. So first the GoI has to release a tender, only then can anyone do anything. Nothing can be developed without a tender from GoI.

The engines are developed in the west and the air force makes changes to the jets structure based on the specifications within reason like we did with Tejas. Also there’s nothing stopping the private sector in researching and developing their own type of engines.

 

[Akshat]

Nobody will give technology.

West is already giving it to us. Russia won't, because China won't allow Put!n to do that, sure.

 

[P.K Senapati]

Good news.
IJT also called HJT 36 is going for production.
Along with it Al55 is also going to be made in India at HAL.
Involve private companies and built a good Indian ecosystem.
This jet engine can be used fot manned trainer aircraft as well as unmanned UCAV if India wants.

 

[BORN FIGHTER]

West is already giving it to us. Russia won't, because China won't allow Put!n to do that, sure.

West have not given any technology.

 

[Nikhil agarwal]

HAL is only gonna assemble them, as the article says. And Russia anyways won't give any significant ToT. Only the west can do that.

Yes in the same way as the west has helped india acquire some sensitive technologies like Nuclear submarine technology and many important space technologies.
Thr engine TOT is nothing in comparison to that.

Please take a breath and think before writing anything

 

[Ammoman]

"Licensed Production" sounds so much better than screw-driving.

Fun Fact - HAL has "license produced" close to 1200 AL-31's (SU-30 MKI) under "deep" ToT. Close to 300 RD-33 (Mig-29) engines, close to 3,000 Tumansky engines (Mig 21) and close to 1200 Ardidren 1H Shakti ( Dhruv) engines over the last 40+ years. Not counting lesser stuff.

Look where HAL is today...still "license producing". 40 years later...will still "license produce".

Engine research and production requires billions and billions. University research funded at every engineering school in India. Keep the best of the best in India and pay them well.

All engines built in India are mainly knockdown kits. All critical parts are provided and never given away. Countries have spent 10s of Billions in research to create products and knowhow to manufacture. Funding in India is on and off.

Work with countries that have done it and eventually the tech will be available in India.