HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

JTull, please post links to tweets. Otherwise, you might be accused of making things up :)
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by JTull »

Rakesh wrote:JTull, please post links to tweets. Otherwise, you might be accused of making things up :)
Done
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Indranil »

JTull wrote:indian Maverick @Sandeep33036268
Kiran mk2

Any idea which will be our next intermediate jet trainer if IJT sitara takes time to develop???
...

Soumya @SoumyaR57322232 Replying to @hvtiaf @Sandeep33036268 and 6 others
After success of htt40....
Ijt will qualify the spin test
Already one prototype modified
Harsh Vardhan Thakur @hvtiaf
Two prototypes. Flew both today.
That's swag!!!!
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

JTull wrote:
Rakesh wrote:JTull, please post links to tweets. Otherwise, you might be accused of making things up :)
Done
Thank You. Greatly appreciated.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by basant »

https://twitter.com/hvtiaf/status/12466 ... 46913?s=20 ----> Not skeleton view. The real thing. Inglorious & unforgiving. Takes to the skies with the spin doctors next month. Deb Rana classic.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by basant »

This Month, HAL’s Intermediate Jet Trainer Gets Final Shot
Flight test of the Sitara ground to a halt in 2016 after it became clear that spin trials couldn’t be completed safely on the then airframe. HAL spent the next three years using advice from U.S. aviation technology and testing firm Bihrle Applied Research Inc. to redesign major parts of the aircraft’s tail end, resulting in significant airframe changes, first visible when the redesigned jet flew in April 2019.
...
“We have not given up on the IJT, in fact we have restarted the program,” HAL chairman & managing director R. Madhavan tells Livefist. “In the previous one year, we have started working on it. We have changed the airframe to improve the spin capabilities. We were waiting for a spin parachute so we can begin testing the new changes.”
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by MeshaVishwas »

Lovely bird. All the best to team Sitara.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by basant »

Said to be cockpit of HJT-36. I am slightly suspicious as I remember reading here many times that 'Sitara' is not an official name. And 'Hal sitara' instead of 'HAL Sitara'. :?:

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by JayS »

The name is on the image, written on it later, not on the cockpit panel, if thats what you are alluding to.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by basant »

^^^
Yes, that's what I was wondering. Thanks. :)
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by SRajesh »

^^^
Per Wiki chacha 5 external hardpoints and can carry 1000 Kg payload
How many of these will ( if they ever will be) ordered and in times of need as A2G mode what can they carry?
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by MeshaVishwas »

Rsatchi wrote: in times of need as A2G mode what can they carry?
Well, looking at the JL-8 which is the peer, she could be suitably armed.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rishi_Tri »

basant wrote:This Month, HAL’s Intermediate Jet Trainer Gets Final Shot
Flight test of the Sitara ground to a halt in 2016 after it became clear that spin trials couldn’t be completed safely on the then airframe. HAL spent the next three years using advice from U.S. aviation technology and testing firm Bihrle Applied Research Inc. to redesign major parts of the aircraft’s tail end, resulting in significant airframe changes, first visible when the redesigned jet flew in April 2019.
...
“We have not given up on the IJT, in fact we have restarted the program,” HAL chairman & managing director R. Madhavan tells Livefist. “In the previous one year, we have started working on it. We have changed the airframe to improve the spin capabilities. We were waiting for a spin parachute so we can begin testing the new changes.”
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OK.. The 'improvement' consultation engagements with Snecma, Smiths Aerospace produced an aircraft that got hobbled for almost a decade. Another improvement consultation engagement with Bihrle Aerospace leads to significant redesign.

In the meantime the Hawk is ordered and assembled.

Prime example of how Made in India projects are sabotaged. Left to itself and with incremental addition of capability, it would have been Sitara in place of Hawk.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by SSridhar »

Any update on the spin tests?
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by chola »

None so far. News gone cold after incorporation of the spin recovery chute early July.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/Maverick_bharat/sta ... 66560?s=20 ---> HAL Sitara IJT's spin trial started? @hvtiaf Sir is back in action.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by ramana »

I saw a tweet that spin trials have started.


https://twitter.com/Maverick_bharat/sta ... 70753?s=19
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/132 ... 63361?s=20 ---> The modified HJT-36 commences spin flight test today.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by putnanja »

From Tarmak007's FB post ...
Modified IJT commences spin flight testing
(Unedited Press Release(
The indigenous Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) designed and developed by HAL to replace the ageing Kiran aircraft fleet of the IAF commenced spin flight testing in Bengaluru. The flight was piloted by HAL’s test pilots Gp. Capt H.V. Thakur (Retd) and Wg. Cdr P. Avasti (Retd).
The spin testing of an aircraft is the most crucial phase of its flight testing. Accordingly, the testing will be gradually progressed to assess the behaviour of the aircraft till six turn spins to either side to meet the targeted requirement
The IJT has already been tested to its full envelope in terms of speed, altitude and load factor (‘g’ envelope) and has also been integrated with drop tanks as well as bombs. For spin test, HAL redesigned the aircraft by moving the vertical tail aft and extending the rudder surface. These changes for ensuring a satisfactory spin behaviour required extensive redesign of the rear fuselage and the rudder. The changes have been incorporated in two aircraft with the involvement and clearance from certification agencies at every stage. Post modification, the two aircraft underwent significant flight tests to assess the general handling with the new configuration of fin and rudder. These aircraft have now been incorporated with the necessary safety devices (Anti-Spin Parachute Systems). During the first flight, initially the aircraft was taken through one turn spin to the left and right hand sides to test the spin characteristics.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/writetake/status/13 ... 63521?s=20 ---> IJT designed and developed by HAL to replace the ageing Kiran aircraft fleet of the IAF commenced spin flight testing in Bengaluru. The flight was piloted by HAL's test pilots Group Captain H.V. Thakur (Retd) and Wing Commander P. Avasti (Retd).

https://twitter.com/writetake/status/13 ... 12928?s=20 ---> The spin testing of an aircraft is the most crucial phase of its flight testing. Accordingly, the testing will be gradually progressed to assess the behaviour of the aircraft till six turn spins to either side to meet the targeted requirement.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by nachiket »

Are the wing fences new as well?
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Philip »

The IJT was never in competition with the Hawk! That was the AJT,acquired after a 2 decade search,longest in any air force history,after the AM La Fontaine ( later ACM) committee recommended the same inquiring into the reasons for the numerous crashes of IAF aircraft. The Hawk deal was over long before the arrival of the IJT.

The IJT,supposed to be a Kiran replacement,was much appreciated for its swift development but infamously crashed in front of us on the runway at an Aero-India show. Later on the spin problem bedevilled it and it was put into cold storage for years.
Some air forces have only two kinds of trainers,ab initio and an AJT leaving out an IJT.The IAF however feel it's needed. The Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainer I think can simulate characteristics of advanced fighters and around 9 air forces operate it.I remember the editor of Flight Intl. years ago commenting v.favourably about the bird which is probably the most popular adv. trainer today, has excellent features. Our PC-7s are BTs,the most popular in the world with over 20 countries operating it. Like Bofors a great product marred by bribery and now being supplanted by our desi HTT-40.

Fingers crossed for the IJT to overcome its spin tests. If the IAF buys it ,it could find a niche in the intl. market if the price is competitive.
That is going to be the difficult task for exports, as we are used to generally paying higher prices for desi-built products compared with foreign equivalents. In a VAYU article,the SU-30 deal originally had an agreement with HAL that the desi- built aircraft would not cost more than $1M over an Ru- built one. There's a lot of competition in the trainer market.
Last edited by Philip on 25 Nov 2020 07:32, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Philip »

Yes Nachi,the wing fences are new,seen from the pics.Reminds one of the good old SU-7s which had a prominent wing fence! Amazingly 140 SU-7s were acquired in them days in just 1.4 years! What a production rate!
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Indranil »

The wing fences are not new. You can read the evolution here: http://delhidefencereview.com/2019/04/2 ... iled-look/
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Kartik »

Sitara taking off at Aero India 2021

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by srin »

Any update on Sitara ? Are the spin trials going on ?
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Indranil »

Yes.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by chetak »

nachiket wrote:Are the wing fences new as well?
the wings, fences, intakes and empennage, all somehow seem very familiar, no :)
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Haridas »

Philip wrote:The IJT was never in competition with the Hawk! That was the AJT,acquired after a 2 decade search,longest in any air force history,after the AM La Fontaine ( later ACM) committee recommended the same inquiring into the reasons for the numerous crashes of IAF aircraft. The Hawk deal was over long before the arrival of the IJT.

The IJT,supposed to be a Kiran replacement,was much appreciated for its swift development but infamously crashed in front of us on the runway at an Aero-India show. Later on the spin problem bedevilled it and it was put into cold storage for years.....
I recall that too during the show..... feels bad to see a crashed plane being carted away.

From many sources the project was internally sabotaged at behest of Chandigarh arms dealer import lobby. The colourful pilot's antics not withstanding (just a cog in the wheel)... Thorough deep cleaning will take time ... Glad to see it fly. But the Chandigarh devils got their pound of flesh with Britshit Aerospace Hawk import gravy train.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Indranil »

nachiket wrote:Are the wing fences new as well?
They are not new. But they might go.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by rajkumar »

Haridas wrote:From many sources the project was internally sabotaged at behest of Chandigarh arms dealer import lobby. The colourful pilot's antics not withstanding (just a cog in the wheel)... Thorough deep cleaning will take time ... Glad to see it fly. But the Chandigarh devils got their pound of flesh with Britshit Aerospace Hawk import gravy train.
That would also help explain the suicide of the HAL test pilot on the Sitara programme
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 81569?s=20 ---> Russia's Rostec increases life of IJT's AL-55I engine to 1,200 hours. The HJT-36 took to the skies yesterday at Aero India powered by the AL-55I jet engine, manufactured by United Engine Corporation of Rostec.

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Haridas »

rajkumar wrote:
Haridas wrote:From many sources the project was internally sabotaged at behest of Chandigarh arms dealer import lobby. The colourful pilot's antics not withstanding (just a cog in the wheel)... Thorough deep cleaning will take time ... Glad to see it fly. But the Chandigarh devils got their pound of flesh with Britshit Aerospace Hawk import gravy train.
That would also help explain the suicide of the HAL test pilot on the Sitara programme
He was the colourful test pilot i mentioned! who went to the dark side, so dispatched.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Venu »

Haridas wrote: He was the colourful test pilot i mentioned ! who went to the dark side, so dispatched.
Don't want to derail, but can you explain more on what do you mean by pilot going to dark side ? And was dispatched by who?

There are so many conspiracy theories that talk about invisible forces trying to hinder India's growth in indigenous technologies.

People should know what is happening. At least the ones in the BR!
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Rakesh »

Twitter thread courtesy of IR....please click on link below, for more info.

https://twitter.com/Indrani1_Roy/status ... 52418?s=20

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Kartik »

Lovely image that shows the modified HJT-36 Sitara in the air

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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by RajaRudra »

Venu wrote:
Haridas wrote: He was the colourful test pilot.
Don't want to derail, but can you explain more on what do you mean by pilot going to dark side ? And was dispatched by who?
Just to be in safer side. I think this discussion may not be advisable now(or never) here.
Some hungry news sellers may add some masala and give the same theories a target(or false target) to satisfy their eye balls reach numbers.
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Kartik »

Beautiful shot of the HJT-36 Sitara

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Image credit - Gaur.Aviation instagram page
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Re: HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer: News & Discussion - 24 April 2019

Post by Kartik »

Sitara and HTT-40 together

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Image credit - Gaur.aviation
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