The HAL HPT-32 Deepak ("lamp" in Sanskrit) is an Indian prop-driven primary trainer manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It has two seats in side-by-side configuration.

HPT-32
A HPT-32 in an IAF Air Base
General information
TypePrimary trainer
National originIndia
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
Designer
Aircraft Research & Development Center (HAL)
Primary userIndian Air Force
Indian Naval Air Arm
History
Manufactured1977-1993[citation needed]
Introduction date1984[1]
First flight6 January 1977[2]
Retired2009[1]
Developed intoHAL HTT-40

Operational history

edit

The Deepak is used for primary training, observation, liaison and target towing.

When it flies upside-down fuel flows from a collector tank in the fuselage and the inverted flight is limited to 1 min. Deepak has a theoretical glide ratio of 8.5:1. The IAF and HAL are looking into new safety systems such as Ballistic Recovery Systems to enable it to descend safely in the event of an engine failure. On 16 May 2010 the IAF cleared the installation of a parachute recovery system.[3] The HPT-32 aircraft has been replaced by the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II in the IAF, as its workhorse as a Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) in 2013.

Accidents

edit

In 17 Deepak crashes so far, 19 pilots have died.[4] The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has been reported as saying the aircraft is "technologically outdated and beset by flight safety hazards" when discussing the grounding of the fleet in 2009.[5] HAL HTT-40 is going replace HAL HPT-32 Deepak as primary trainer.[6]

Versions

edit
HPT-32
Basic version.
HTT-34
Turboprop version, powered by 310 kW (420 shp) Allison 250-B17D engine. First flew on 17 June 1984.[7]

Operators

edit
  India

Specifications (HPT-32)

edit

Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide [8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2: student, instructor
  • Length: 25 ft 4 in (7.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 2 in (9.5 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.9 m)
  • Wing area: 15.0 m² (162 ft² [9])
  • Empty weight: 2,280 lb (1,034 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,915 lb (1,322 kg)
  • Powerplant:Lycoming AEO-540-D4B5 piston engine, 260 hp (194 kW)

Performance

Armament
Four hardpoints; 255 kg warload; machine gun pods; bombs; rockets

See also

edit

Related HAL development:

Comparable or Related Basic Trainers:

References

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b c "HAL HPT-32 Deepak". bharat-rakshak.
  2. ^ a b Taylor 1996, p. 401
  3. ^ "IAF gives nod for HPT-32 revival". The Hindu. May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  4. ^ Shukla, Ajai (5 April 2010). "Scrabbling for solutions". Business Standard India.
  5. ^ "Crashes, engine failures ground IAF trainer aircraft - Thaindian News". Archived from the original on 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
  6. ^ Dutta, Amrita Nayak (2022-10-18). "Made in India Takes Off: Intermediate Jet Trainer HJT-36 to be Certified Soon, HAL Eyes Export of HTT-40". News18. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  7. ^ Lambert 1990, p. 198
  8. ^ Rendall, David (1995). Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide. Glasgow, UK: HarperCollinsPublishers. pp. 505. ISBN 0-00-4709802.
  9. ^ Taylor 1999, p.433

Bibliography

edit