HAL Kiran
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| HJT-16 Kiran | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Basic Jet Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics |
| Maiden flight | 1964 |
| Introduced | 1968 |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary users | Indian Air Force Indian Navy |
| Number built | 190 |
The HAL HJT-16 Kiran 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 acrobatic team Sagar Pawans.
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[edit] History
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 the 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 aircraft were built. An improved version powered by a 3,400lb thrust Rolls Royce Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II and was delivered from 1983.
[edit] 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's used by the Surya Kiran team.
[edit] Variant
- Kiran Mk.I : Two-seat basic jet trainer powered by a Rolls Royce Viper turbo-jet engine.
- Kiran Mk.IA : Two-seat basic jet trainer with armament capability
- Kiran Mk.II : Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62mm machine guns in nose and a Rolls Royce Orpheus engine
[edit] Operators
[edit] Trivia
Kiran means Ray of Light in English
[edit] Specification (Kiran IA)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 34 ft 9 in (10.60 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 1¼in (10.70 m)
- Height: 11 ft 11 in (3.63m)
- Wing area: 204.52 ft² (19.00 m²)
- Empty weight: 5,644 lb (2560 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,336 lb ()
- Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet
Performance
- Maximum speed: 695 km/h, kts, 432 mph
- Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9145 m)
Armament
two 500lb (227kg) bombs or 2 7.26mm SNEB rocket pods or 2 pods with 7.62mm machine guns, or two 50-Imp Gal (226 litre) drop tanks
[edit] Reference
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
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