HAL HJT-36 Sitara
HAL · India · first flew 2003 · fighter
An Indian intermediate jet trainer designed to bridge the gap between basic turboprop and advanced jet flying training.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tandem stepped cockpit for instructor and pupil
- Single turbofan fed by wing-root intakes
- Modestly swept low wing
A small tandem-seat jet trainer with a stepped canopy, low swept wing and a single fin — similar in class to the Hawk but shorter, with wing-root intakes rather than large side intakes.
Specifications
- The HAL HJT-36 Sitara has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 750 km/h (466 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (student and instructor).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
HAL launched the HJT-36 to replace the veteran Kiran trainer, giving it a stepped tandem cockpit and a single turbofan. The prototype first flew in March 2003, though engine and spin-recovery issues delayed the programme, later relaunched as the Yashas with a new powerplant.
Variants
Development has run from the original HJT-36 Sitara prototypes to the re-engined and revised Yashas configuration intended for production service.
Where you'll see it
Sitara is aimed at the Indian Air Force and Navy training pipeline and has no UK service; its intermediate role parallels that once filled in Britain by the Jet Provost and Hawk in the training chain.
Related aircraft
- HAL Lancer
- HAL Light Combat Helicopter
- HAL Dhruv
- HAL Light Observation Helicopter
- BAE Systems Harrier GR.9
- British Aerospace Harrier II GR.9
- CAC FC-1 Xiaolong (JF-17 Thunder)
- GAIC FTC-2000 Shanying
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.