HAL Kiran

The HAL HJT-16 Kiran (Ray of Light) is an Indian two-seat basic jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics. Used by the Indian Air Force for intermediate training for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak. It is used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran and Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawans.

Development
The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for a basic jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on 4 September 1964. The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first deliveries from a pre-production batch were delivered to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training (as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were built. An improved version powered by a 4200 lbf thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, first flying on 30 July 1976, and was delivered from 1985, 61 being delivered by the time production ended in 1989. During this period there was a pilot killed during landing - the investigation found that the plane was fitted with 'expired' wheels from Dunlop; the shelf life for them was 20 years, and to no surprise they burst on landing claiming the life of the test pilot.

Replacement
Kiran will be replaced with the new HAL HJT-36 trainer undergoing flight trials. The Indian Air Force has already placed orders for 12 such aircraft to replace the Kiran jets used by the Surya Kiran team.

Notable accidents
A Kiran Mk II of the Sagar Pawan Aerobatic Team of the Indian Navy crashed at Hyderabad during the Indian Aviation 2010 air show on 3 March 2010, killing both crewmembers.

Variant

 * Kiran Mk.I
 * Two-seat basic jet trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. 118 built.


 * Kiran Mk.IA
 * Two-seat basic jet trainer with armament capability. Two underwing hardpoints fitted. 72 built.


 * Kiran Mk.II
 * Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in nose and a Rolls-Royce Orpheus engine.

Operators

 * Indian Air Force
 * Indian Navy
 * Indian Navy