HAL HJT-16 Kiran

Summary

Description

The HAL HJT-16 Kiran was developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to fulfill an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for an intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft. The HAL design team created a conventional trainer aircraft. The Rolls-Royce Viper 11 turbojet engine, producing 2,500 lbf of thrust, was selected as its powerplant. The development of the Kiran aided other HAL projects, as the design team was later reassigned to the HF-24 Marut fighter-bomber project. The first prototype flew on 4 September 1964. Designated Kiran I, the initial pre-production aircraft were delivered to the IAF in March 1968, leading to full-scale production approval. Later production models, designated Kiran IA, were equipped with underwing hardpoints for weapon training. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were manufactured. In the 1970s, HAL worked on an upgraded version powered by the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine, producing 4,200 lbf of thrust, and fitted with an enhanced weapon-carrying capability. Designated Kiran Mk II, this variant first flew on 30 July 1976, with deliveries commencing in 1985. Production of the Kiran was terminated in 1989.

The HAL HJT-16 Kiran is a conventional jet trainer aircraft. The initial production aircraft, designated Kiran I, lacked any hardpoints. It was followed by the Kiran IA, which featured two hard points underneath each wing for weapon training purposes. A later variant, the Kiran Mk II, was powered by the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine. The Kiran IA has a low empty weight of 2,560 kg (5,644 lb) and a max takeoff weight of 4,235 kg (9,337 lb).

The Kiran's armament capabilities varied between versions. The Kiran IA featured two underwing hardpoints for weapon training purposes. Typical stores for the Kiran IA included two 500lb (227kg) bombs, two SNEB rocket pods containing seven 68 mm rockets, two pods with 7.62 mm machine guns, or two 50-Imp Gal (226 litre) drop tanks. The Kiran Mk II was further improved, featuring four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in the nose.

Since initial aircraft deliveries in 1968, the Kiran has been operated by both the IAF and the Indian Navy for intermediate training. As the HAL HJT-36 Sitara's development experienced delays, the British-designed BAE Systems Hawk was license-manufactured by HAL starting in 2007 to supplement and gradually replace the IAF's aging Kiran fleet, extending the Kiran's operational life beyond 50 years. Following the grounding of the HAL HPT-32 Deepak fleet in 2009, the Kiran temporarily performed both Stage I & II of fighter pilot training. The Indian Naval Air Arm and the Indian Air Force have operated aerobatic display teams, Sagar Pawan and Surya Kiran, respectively, utilizing the aircraft. A Kiran Mk II of the Sagar Pawan team crashed during the Indian Aviation 2010 air show. Subsequently, Hawk Mk132 aircraft were ordered to replace the Kirans in the Surya Kiran display team. During December 2018, six Kirans were donated to Myanmar along with a training team.

Main Variants:

• Kiran Mk I: This was the initial two-seat intermediate jet trainer version, powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet engine, with 118 units built.

• Kiran Mk IA: An enhanced version of the Kiran Mk I, this two-seat intermediate jet trainer featured armament capabilities through the addition of two underwing hardpoints; 72 were built.

• Kiran Mk II: This improved variant featured four hardpoints, integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in the nose, and a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine, with 61 units manufactured.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	India	98

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

India