The Aero India 2023 airshow concluded on February 17, 2023, with a spectacular final performance by aircraft and helicopters in front of a packed audience. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the event was the largest ever, with 98 countries participating since the airshow began in Bengaluru. This time we witnessed the unveiling of HAL’s next-generation supersonic trainer aircraft HLFT-42. This article will lead you to insights into the same.
Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42)
HAL developed the HLFT-42 project independently in order to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) and export customers with a new generation of advanced training and supersonic Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT) to train future fourth and fifth-generation fighter pilots for today’s demanding combat scenarios. The HLFT-42 design is heavily based on the HF-24 Marut, India’s first fighter aircraft designed and built in the early 1960s, led by renowned German engineer Kurt Tank.
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However, HAL reports that the HLFT-42 will be equipped with a fly-by-wire flight system, cutting-edge pilot training technology, and a full complement of combat sensors and operational capabilities, including an AESA radar, an IRST infrared sensor, and a critical weapons capability (10 ASTRA medium-range air-to-air missiles and two ASRAAM short-range missiles). At the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) unveiled the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42) scale model design. The HLFT-42 aircraft design features a one-of-a-kind rail art of the Hindu God Hanuman, which represents strength, speed, and agility. HAL completed a project called HF42 Marut. Marut refers to the wind spirit or spirit of the wind.
Storm Is Coming
On February 13, the HLFT-42 of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was the talk of the town at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru. The sticker of Lord Hanuman on the tail of his full-scale model sparked much debate. This sticker of Lord Hanuman flying through the air quickly went viral. The Storm Is Coming was written in the message with the sticker.
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Significance of HLFT-42
The HLFT-42 indigenous aircraft, built in India under Make in India, is designed to teach new pilots modern war techniques. Many features will be available on this plane, including Fly By Wire (FBW), Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), and Electronic Warfare Suite. Despite the fact that the company has not given this aircraft a name.
HAL provided the following specifications for the HLFT-42:
- Length: 16 m
- Wingspan: 9 m
- Height: 4.6 m
- MTOW: 16,500 kg
- Internal fuel capacity: 3500 kg
- External load: 4,500 kg
- Hardpoints: 11
Will it Surpass Tejas?
Aside from the oddity that the HLFT-42 is based on an aerodynamic design developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the published characteristics appear to place it in competition with HAL’s own Tejas. Despite the fact that the HLFT-42 would outperform the Tejas in several characteristics (MTOW, external and internal fuel load), and that both aircraft would most likely use the same General Electric F404, they are still very similar aircraft in terms of characteristics. And the two-seat training Tejas is already available!
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Adapting the two-seater Tejas for advanced training/LIFT/light fighter roles should be easier than designing a new aircraft from scratch. The HLFT-42 project appears to collide with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s flagship product. Perhaps the company’s management will be able to shed some light on this seemingly controversial business idea later in the course of Aero India 2023.
Reduced Gap Between MiG-21 And The Existing Trainers
There is another reason for developing HLFT-42. It will aid in closing the gap between the existing Hawk I-132, subsonic trainer, and MiG-21 trainer aircraft. This is a Next Generation supersonic trainer with two engines.
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