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HPT-32
HPT-32
	A HPT-32 in an IAF Air Base
General information
Type	Primary trainer
National origin	India
Manufacturer	Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Designer	Aircraft Research & Development Center (HAL)
Primary user	Indian Air Force; Indian Naval Air Arm
History
Manufactured	1977-1993[citation needed]
Introduction date	1984
First flight	6 January 1977
Retired	2009
Developed into	HAL HTT-40

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.

Operational history

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 On 16 May 2010 the IAF cleared the installation of a parachute recovery system.^[3] The HPT-32 aircraft has been replaced by the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II in the IAF, as its workhorse as a Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) in 2013.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

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has been reported as saying the aircraft is "technologically outdated and beset by flight safety hazards" when discussing the grounding of the fleet in 2009.^[5] HAL HTT-40 is going replace HAL HPT-32 Deepak as primary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

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

India

Indian Air Force 144 for basic training^[1]
Indian Navy^[2] 8 for basic training

Specifications (HPT-32)

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: 1× Lycoming AEO-540-D4B5 piston engine, 260 hp (194 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 175 mph (281 km/h)
Range: 755 nm (1,400 km)

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

References

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c "HAL HPT-32 Deepak". bharat-rakshak.
^ ^a ^b Taylor 1996, p. 401
^ "IAF gives nod for HPT-32 revival". The Hindu. May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
^ Shukla, Ajai (5 April 2010). "Scrabbling for solutions". Business Standard India.
^ "Crashes, engine failures ground IAF trainer aircraft - Thaindian News". Archived from the original on 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
^ 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.
^ Lambert 1990, p. 198
^ Rendall, David (1995). Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide. Glasgow, UK: HarperCollinsPublishers. pp. 505. ISBN 0-00-4709802.
^ Taylor 1999, p.433

Bibliography

Lambert, Mark, ed. (1990). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1990–91. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0908-6.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-198-1.
Taylor, M.J.H. (ed,). Brassey's World Aircraft Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.