NAL's RTA-90 Takes Flight: India's First Homegrown Regional Aircraft Nears Reality

India is gearing up to take a significant leap in the aviation industry with the National Aerospace Laboratories' (NAL) ambitious Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) program. The conceptual design of the RTA-90 is nearing completion, and the Project Definition Phase (PDP) is well underway, setting the stage for India's first homegrown regional aircraft.

Civil Aviation Minister KR Naidu has reaffirmed the government's strong support for indigenous aircraft manufacturing. The development of the RTA is a key part of this self-reliance initiative. NAL estimates the project will require an investment of approximately $2 billion and is likely to be executed through a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) to ensure efficient management.

Collaboration is at the heart of this ambitious endeavor. NAL will lead the design and development efforts, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will contribute its expertise in engine and avionics production. The program may also involve sourcing components from Western manufacturers, ensuring access to cutting-edge technology.

The RTA program is expected to follow a phased approach, starting with a propeller-powered variant before moving on to a jet-powered version. This strategic approach allows for a more manageable development process and the opportunity to accumulate valuable experience.

Manufacturing the RTA will primarily take place in India, with HAL and private sector companies playing a crucial role. India's growing pool of private sector companies, already supplying components to major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, will be instrumental in ensuring efficient production.

The RTA program is a pivotal moment for Indian aviation. The successful development and production of this aircraft will significantly boost India's self-reliance in the aerospace sector. The RTA also holds the potential to create significant economic opportunities, catering to the growing demand for regional air travel within India and potentially becoming a competitive export product. The RTA-90 is not just an aircraft; it's a symbol of India's ambition and technological prowess in the aviation industry.

 

[Sangram]

NAL 😂 What happened to saras

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We need to develop both cargo and passenger planes. Funding and demand is not an issue, quality and cost-effectiveness are.

 

[NSR]

Great to know but India must use reputed engines from an international manufacturer for it to succeed and get exported to other countries.
Without that whole program will be doomed from the beginning.

 

[Sandeep]

NAL 😂 What happened to saras

They are developing Sara’s MK2 which allows it to travel over 30000ft feet in a pressurised fuselage which Sara’s 1 couldn’t do and had very limited use.

Now with Saras MK2 it can be useful for private people or companies to own their own jet and travel within India, airline companies to fly to different cities or within a state, used as a VIP jet, used as a private air ambulance etc. So there is a lot of potential in developing it but once they have done that then they can manufacture it under the private sector who can deliver on the quality, reliability, time and price which will be much cheaper than any foreign planes.

 

[Mango_Indian]

I remember reading and seeing “pictures” that NAL will make a MTA ( Medium Transport Aircraft) with both turbo prop and turbofan ( jet) engines when I graduated engineering college….in 10+ years, the colors of the “pictures” have changed.

 

[Rajesh]

Ok but where is Saras mk2 can't we develop a 19 seater when we already manufacture a similar dornier aircraft. Relying on NAL/hal is suicide. Both tata and Mahendra are in the assembling business of foreign jets so why can't the govt form a jv between tata/Mahendra and a govt agency and put all the transport aircraft business under them. We should also see the option of either inviting Embraer which is designing a similar turboprops like RTA 90 or buy any existing ip or form a jv with existing oem like canadian company, atr42/72 or russia/Ukrainian platforms.

 

[Vipul Kumar]

I remember reading and seeing “pictures” that NAL will make a MTA ( Medium Transport Aircraft) with both turbo prop and turbofan ( jet) engines when I graduated engineering college….in 10+ years, the colors of the “pictures” have changed.

The engine for rta 90 will go under development by hal and bhel a 4000 shp engine, stay hopeful as in another 7 years all work for rta 90 and its engine will be completed.

 

[Shanker]

II believe that HAL, NAL, etc., focus on military aircrafts and helicopters only.
It would be better if private players are asked to do the Civilian aircrafts, helicopters and drones. The government needs to to provide incentives (including for tax), investment subsidies, and so on. It can even make import of such aircrafts impossible through all sorts of barriers like China does.
Commercial aircrafts are too much for HAL and NAL to handle, as such aircraft developments involve heavy commercial and technical issues!

 

[Sandeep]

Finally things seem to be moving forward in the right direction and a lot of progress has been made. Developing a passenger plane for the first time and without any foreign help or experience takes time and the high level of safety that’s required. We need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture it with indigenous content/raw materials. Currently we don’t have an indigenous engine under development for a plane so we have to rely on foreign expensive imports until we develop it ourselves but with the foreign engine we will still have to buy very very expensive critical foreign parts, technology or repairs for the next 20-40 years which is where and how engine companies make most of their money on after sales and servicing.

Now HAL and ADA need to start manufacturing the prototype and to certify the technology, safety, capabilities and reliability. Once they have done that then they should issue several licenses to private companies to manufacture the planes. We can ask them to set up several lines of production but how successful it will be depends on the number of purchases several companies make as recently some of them are buying a lot of planes from Boeing and airbus and instead we should have some discounts and offers that we are making progress.

 

[Sandeep]

I remember reading and seeing “pictures” that NAL will make a MTA ( Medium Transport Aircraft) with both turbo prop and turbofan ( jet) engines when I graduated engineering college….in 10+ years, the colors of the “pictures” have changed.

No in the last 10 years the plane was under developed and needed to be overhauled with the current government and PM directly supervising.

 

[Praveen]

Sigh what can we say about NAL. It's previous team which has worked on Saras mk1 aircraft when prototype testing had an unfortunate crash because of which all the team members have died. This is the main reason, we should not be roasting them. After the crash the whole project is suspended, only recently it received the funding.

 

[Alpha Victor]

hope this time it's for really....I've been reading the same for around 2 decades

 

[Rajeev]

The private players like Tata Advance Systems Ltd ( TASL) will be a better choice for civil projects like RTA/ MTA for the effective and timely completion of the projects, initially under joint venture with foreign reputed companies. NAL being a scientific organisation can do better on UAV projects while HAL is a vast and capable professional aeronautical organization in the aeronautical field to undertake the prototype and regular production of aircraft.

 

[beencensured]

Very necessary development, hopefully private and other players will take lead.