| HJT-16 (Hindustan Jet Trainer) Kiran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Three HAL Kiran Mk II of the Surya Kiran in 2007 | |
| Role | Basic Jet Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics |
| First flight | 4 September 1964 |
| Introduction | 1968 |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary users | Indian Air Force Indian Navy |
| Number built | 190 |
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.[1] 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.[1] An improved version powered by a 4,200 lbf (19,000 N) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, first flying on 30 July 1976,[2] and was delivered from 1985, 61 being delivered by the time production ended in 1989.[3] 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.[4]
Variant[]
- Kiran Mk.I
- Two-seat basic jet trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. 118 built.[5][6]
- Kiran Mk.IA
- Two-seat basic jet trainer with armament capability. Two underwing hardpoints fitted. 72 built.[5][6]
- Kiran Mk.II
- Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in nose and a Rolls-Royce Orpheus engine.[2][3]
Operators[]
India
Specification (Kiran IA)[]
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 [5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 10.70 m (35 ft 1¼ in)
- Height: 3.64 m (11 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 19.00 m² (204.5 ft²)
- Empty weight: 2,560 kg (5,644 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 4,235 kg (9,336 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet, 11.12 kN (2,500 lbf)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 695 km/h (375 knots, 432 mph) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 324 km/h (175 knots, 201 mph)
- Stall speed: 145 km/h (92 knots, 106 mph) flaps and landing gear down
- Endurance: 1 hour 45 min
- Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,150 m)
Armament
See also[]
References[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to HAL HJT-16 Kiran. |
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Donald, David; Jon Lake (1996). Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft (Single volume ed.). London: Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-874023-95-6.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1982). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1988). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
The original article can be found at HAL Kiran and the edit history here.