HAL Kiran

HJT-16 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 intermediate 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 naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan and was also used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran until February 2011, when the team was disbanded after its Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built Surya Kiran HJT-16 Mk I and Mk II aircraft were diverted to train fighter pilots. The Defence Ministry is expected to place an order for 20 Hawk Mk132 aircraft with HAL in late 2015 to give the Surya Kiran dedicated aircraft.[1]

Development

The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for an intermediate jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on 4 September 1964.[2] The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first pre-production deliveries were made to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training and redesignated as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were built.[2] An uprated version powered by a 4,200 lbf (19,000 N) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and enhanced weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, which first flew on 30 July 1976,[3] and deliveries commenced in 1985 with 61 delivered by the time production ended in 1989.[4] During this period a pilot was killed during landing—the investigation found that the aircraft was fitted with "expired" wheels whose shelf life was normally limited to 20 years.

Replacement

Kiran will be retired and the Indian Air Force will move to a two tiered training system instead of the current three tiered system. The planned replacement HAL HJT-36 Sitara failed to meet the performance and safety standards and is indefinitely on hold.

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.[5]

Variant

Kiran Mk I
Two-seat intermediate jet trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. 118 built.[6][7]
Kiran Mk IA
Two-seat intermediate jet trainer with armament capability. Two underwing hardpoints fitted. 72 built.[6][7]
Kiran Mk II
Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in nose and a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine.[3][4]

Operators

 India

Specification (Kiran IA)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 [6]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to HAL HJT-16 Kiran.
  1. ↑ "For Surya Kiran aerobatics team, IAF set to purchase 20 Hawks". The Indian Express. 26 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 Taylor 1982, p.92.
  3. 1 2 Taylor 1988, p.98.
  4. 1 2 Donald and Lake 1996, p.201.
  5. ↑ BBC News -India Navy plane crashes at air show, killing pilots
  6. 1 2 3 Taylor 1982, pp. 92–93.
  7. 1 2 Donald and Lake 1996, p.200.
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