NEWS

The floundering Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) programme of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) got a much-needed shot in the arm with the arrival of a prototype of the long-delayed Russian engine to power the trainer. Developed by the Russian aero engine house NPO Saturn and christened AL-55I (I for Indian), the custom-made engine—which was to have arrived in India last November—has a higher thrust rating than the French-made Snecma Larzac 04H20 engine, which is at present flying the two IJT prototypes. A scaled-down version of the AL-31FP engine that flies the Su-30 MKI combat aircraft, the AL-55I has been built in keeping with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air staff requirements. Official sources said the Russian engine had already been fitted on the IJT prototype.

VIEWS

Sanctioned in 1999, the Rs 200-crore Hindustan Jet Trainer 36—also referred to as the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)—project was undertaken by HAL to replace the IAF’s 225-plus ageing fleet of Kiran jet trainers. Designed and built by the HAL, the Kiran fleet was inducted into the IAF early 1970s as the basic jet trainer and replaced piston-engine Harvard IVD in Stage II training.

Commencing on a promising note, the IJT’s maiden flight was undertaken in March 2003—merely 20 months after metal cutting, a remarkable achievement by any standard. Despite the promising start, the IJT programme subsequently got mired in problems. As a stop-gap arrangement, HAL settled for an under-powered engine, the French Snecma 04-30 turbofan, Larzac that delivered a maximum thrust of 1,400 kg. While the maiden flight was a success, the major impediment continued to be the power plant. While the Larzac engine was adequate for the initial development of the prototype, its thrust rating was not good enough for the production version. In a global tender for an engine of required specifications, Russian NPO Saturn emerged winner. Consequently, a $350 million (Rs 1,500 crore) contract for the development of a new engine for the IJT was signed with much fanfare in Moscow on August 16, 2005 in the presenceof President Vladimir Putin at the MAKS 2005 air show. Designated as the AL-55I, the new engine would be designed to deliver 1,700 kg of thrust. Quote from Snecma to develop an upgraded version of the Larzac engine was apparently significantly higher.