Since independence, India has independently developed only two types of aircraft, namely the short-lived HF-24 Fengshen fighter-bomber and the old HJT- 16 Kieran jet trainer.
As the No.1 project of the Indian Air Force, the "Glory" light fighter has invested heavily and has been developed for more than 20 years, but it is still in the test flight stage. In view of this, Hindustan Aviation Co., Ltd. realized that it was too difficult and risky to directly develop a domestic advanced trainer, so it decided to develop an intermediate trainer first, accumulate necessary advanced technology and pre-research some technical projects, so as to lay the foundation for future upgrading.
1997, hindustan aviation co., ltd submitted the HJT-36 intermediate trainer project plan to the Indian air force command. 1In February, 1998, the design model of HJT-36 was exhibited at Singapore Air Show for the first time. In June 5438, the full-scale model of HJT-36 was exhibited at the Indian Air Show for the first time. 1In July, 1999, the Indian government officially awarded the development contract of the IJT project1800 million rupees (about 42 million US dollars). The specific design of the aircraft is the responsibility of the Design Comprehensive Branch of Hindustan Aviation Co., Ltd. ..
In 2000, HJT-36 began to manufacture the prototype and select the main components of the aircraft. At that time, Hindustan Aviation Company Limited chose Razak 04H20 turbofan engine of Toubomeca Company of France as the engine of HJT-36 prototype. In June of 20001year, Smith Aerospace Company was confirmed as the developer of avionics integrated system.
At the same time, with the help of Russia and France, Hindustan Aviation Co., Ltd. stepped up the wind tunnel test of HJT-36 aerodynamic shape, and the obtained parameters were used for shape design.
In February 2003, HJT-36 began ground testing. On March 7th of the same year, Singh, the chief test pilot of Hindustan Airlines Limited, successfully made the first test flight over Bangalore with the first prototype HJT-36 (S-3466). Two weeks later, the plane completed its first official test flight.
On March 26th, 2004, the second prototype of HJT-36 (S-3474) made its first test flight. S-3474 is a two-seat model, and the rear cockpit is also equipped with ejection seats. If necessary, both pilots can eject from the cockpit.
As of March 2005, two HJT-36 prototypes have completed more than 130 flight tests. According to the recently signed agreement between India and Russia, HJT-36 will use the AL-55 engine of Saturn Company of Russia when it is officially produced. The Indian Air Force and Navy will purchase 2 10 aircraft of this type, including 24 Hainan Airlines. At present, the Indian Air Force has ordered 100 aircraft of this type.
After completing the development task of the intermediate trainer project, Hindustan Aviation Co., Ltd. once again turned its attention to the advanced trainer. In February 2005, the company announced that it was independently developing the HJT-39 fighter trainer (CAT), which can be used as an advanced trainer and a second-line attack aircraft. During the 2005 Air Show in India, the company also said that it was actively seeking the support of the Indian Air Force and the Indian government for the AJT project, and hoped to obtain the formal development contract of the HJT-39 advanced trainer within this year, so that the company could deliver the prototype 39 months later and start production within 5 years (20 10).