Indian Air Force Short Lists Three Aircrafts As Basic Trainers With Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II As Favorite

Latest reports from Indian Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena) headquarter indicate that the technical evaluation leg of the contract for basic trainer for IAF is over and the price negotiations are underway. It is also learnt from reliable sources that the Swiss manufacturer has quoted the lowest price.

Initially there were 6 aircrafts which were vying for this USD 1 billion contract but IAF has narrowed it down to three manufacturer. This article will give you information on the three models and you make up your mind on which is the best amongst all of them.

The three models are

1. Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II
2. Korean Aerospace KT-1
3. Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II

As mentioned earlier the Pilatus is the favorite to win the contract, but at the present moment all the three are in contention

Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II

Since its introduction in 1994, the PC-7 MkII has come with an exceptional standard of equipment, performance, and cost-effectiveness in this class of training aircraft.

Offering a reliable and economic training platform, the docile behaviour of the PC-7 MkII in the hands of a beginner delivers a confidence-building environment for inexperienced cadets. With its highly cost-efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C engine, it provides the lowest engine operating costs of all turboprop trainer aircraft.

The use of airframe and avionic systems common with the PC-9 M means owners and operators benefit from the synergies of a combined infrastructure established at Pilatus to support both aircraft types.

With its modern cockpit, matching performance and exceptional handling, the PC-7 MkII is an ideal training aircraft for air forces around the world.

Training Roles

• Ab Initio Training
• Basic Flying Training

Customers
Over 500 aircraft (PC-7 & PC-7 MkII) have been sold to 21 air forces around the world.

Cockpit

Click Here For An Interactive Presentation Of  The Cockpit

© Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.

To fulfil today’s requirement for basic pilot training and to optimise training efficiency, the cockpit of the PC-7 MkII was designed with three main criteria in mind: safety, intuitive system controls, and flexibility of avionics configuration. The stepped tandem cockpit layout provides excellent visibility from both cockpits, unobstructed by a front canopy bow. All instruments, displays and controls are ergonomically positioned to allow easy and safe operation of the aircraft in all flight regimes. The tandem arrangement of all controls, communications and navigation systems allows the instructor to effectively observe, assist, or override the student’s actions as necessary.

The PC-7 MkII takes full advantage of the development efforts we put into the latest version of the PC-9 M. Due to the modular design of our trainers, most systems available for the PC-9 M can also be integrated into the PC-7 MkII with only minor modifications, to guarantee a state-of-the-art cockpit layout and avionics.

Equipped with ejection seats, an anti-g system and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), the PC-7 MkII provides a comfortable, safe training environment.Pilatus offers cockpit configurations tailored to specific customer requirements. Avionic upgrades are also available for PC-7s and PC-7 MKIIs already in service.

Aircraft Data
The PC-7 MkII is a training aircraft powered by a 700 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C turboprop engine with a Hartzell four-blade aluminium propeller. The de-rating of the engine from 850shp ensures low direct operating costs and a long engine life. The performance of the PC-7 MkII is docile enough for a beginner, but with sufficient power for more demanding basic phases.

The aircraft utilises conventional systems that are reliable, easy to operate and maintain. Access to the engine and systems is excellent. A hot section inspection can be carried out without engine removal, keeping maintenance and overhaul costs to a minimum.

Performance

Take-off distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level	1,360 ft	415 m
Landing distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level	2,180 ft	665 m
Max. rate of climb, sea level	2,910 ft/min	14.79 m/sec
Max. operating speed (Vmo)	300 KEAS	556 km/h
Max. horizontal cruise speed at sea level (Vh)	242 KTAS	448 km/h
Max. horizontal cruise speed at 10,000 ft (Vh)	255 KTAS	472 km/h
Stall speed   - flaps and gear up (Vs)   - flaps and gear down (VSO so)	75 KCAS 68 KCAS	139 km/h 126 km/h
G loads   - Max. positive   - Max. negative	aerobatic configuration 7.0 g - 3.5 g	utility category 4.5 g  -2.25 g
Max. range	810 nm	1,500 km

Weight

Basic empty weight (dep. on configuration)	3,771 lb	1,710 kg
Max. take-off weight, acrobatic configuration	4,960 lb	2,250 kg

Dimension and Geometry

Fuselage length	33 ft 4 in	10.18 m
Wing span	33 ft 5 in	10.19 m

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd - PC-7 Fact Sheet
© Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.

Korean Aerospace KT-1

The KAI KT-1 Woongbi (Hangul: KT-1 웅비) is a Korean single-engined turboprop, basic training aircraft. It was jointly developed by KAI and the Agency for Defence Development (ADD). The KT-1 is the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed.

© Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.

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© Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Stepped Rear Cockpit	Stepped Rear Cockpit	Auto Rudder Trim System (ARTS)	Mk16LF Zero-Zero Ejection Sear

© Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.


Characteristics

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© Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.


Main Avionic Systems

© Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company (now Hawker Beechcraft).

The T-6 is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and Air Force Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training. It has replaced the Air Force's T-37B Tweet and is replacing the Navy's T-34C Turbo Mentor. The T-6A is also used as a basic trainer by the Canadian Forces (CT-156 Harvard II), the Luftwaffe of Germany, the Greek Air Force, the Israeli Air Force (Efroni), and the Iraqi Air Force.

The T-6 is versatile, safe, and effective for the most basic flight training tasks. With a top speed of 316 knots, a 7G to 3.5 G airframe, and an advanced digital cockpit, it is equally adept at teaching the most advanced aerobatic maneuvers and simulated combat training tasks—tasks that could previously be accomplished only in far more expensive aircraft.

The T-6B is an advanced version of the T-6A Texan II. To replicate today’s high-tech frontline aircraft, the cockpit includes a Head-Up Display (HUD), Up-Front Control Panel (UFCP), and hands-on throttle and stick. An integrated glass cockpit and a state-of-the-art avionics suite greatly expands its training capabilities, enabling advanced systems and information management skills training. The T-6C is a derivative incorporating a hard-point wing for external fuel tanks.

To date, Hawker Beechcraft’s T-6 military trainer has been used to train pilots and navigators from approximately 20 different countries. The aircraft currently serves as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy primary training aircraft, as well as the primary trainer for the NATO Flying Training Canada program, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Iraqi Air Force, and the Israeli Air Force.

Hawker Beechcraft has designed and delivered a Ground Based Training System (GBTS) specifically developed as an integral part of the T-6 Total Training System. The T-6 GBTS is in use at five US Air Force and two Navy locations. An array of aircrew training devices bridge the gap between academics and aircraft sorties. Our high fidelity training devices exactly replicate cockpit layout and aircraft performance and operate consistently at a 99% mission effectiveness rate.

Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II
©Hawker Beechcraft

India Likely To Award Trainer Contract In Q3

Alenia Aermacchi M-311

Grob Aircraft G120TP

Korea Aerospace Industries' KT-1

A Pilatus PC-7 'Turbo 

Embraer EMB-312 Super Tucano

India is poised to shortlist a manufacturer to provide much-needed basic trainer aircraft.

The contenders — Grob's G-120 TP, Embraer's EMB-312 Super Tucano, Korea Aerospace Industries' KT-1, Finmeccanica's M-311 and Pilatus' PC-7 — emerged following a request for proposals issued in early 2010. The deal is estimated to cost $1 billion.

"The flight trials [of the competitors] have been completed and we are assessing the evaluation made by the Indian air force," an Indian defense ministry official says. "We expect to award a contract in the third quarter of 2011 and the [deliveries] are expected to commence some time [in] 2012."

India is seeking to procure 75 aircraft off the shelf, with 106 to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) under a joint venture agreement.

The selected manufacturer will be required to deliver an initial batch of 12 aircraft within two years of signing the contract. The project is aimed at replacing HAL's HPT-32 Deepak aircraft, which were grounded following several crashes due to technical glitches.

"We are in urgent need of trainer jets for our pilots," the official says. The air force has been without a basic trainer jet since July 2009.

India's arms build-up has been hampered by a series of delayed or canceled deals. Analysts say that a delay in awarding the contract for basic trainers could deflate profits for both the bidders as well as the prime domestic recipients of offset work.

Under defense ministry procurement procedures, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that win Indian contracts must support the Indian industrial base by purchasing defense goods and services locally, as well as other direct and indirect investments in defense manufacturing and R&D infrastructure. Offset levels begin at 30% of the contract value and may be higher in certain cases.

The addition of Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers and Intermediate Jet Trainers also is part of the air force's flight training modernization. Last July, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce signed an agreement valued at ₤700 million ($1.1 billion) to supply Hawk trainers to India.

The deal for 57 aircraft was signed with HAL at the company's headquarters in Bengaluru during the visit of British Prime Minister David Cameron. The order is valued at more than ₤500 million for BAE and as much as ₤200 million for Rolls-Royce.

An earlier order for 66 BAE trainers took two decades to negotiate and was hampered by a lack of parts. The deal was finally signed in 2004, and 24 of these airplanes were completed in December 2009. Of the remaining 42 to be built by HAL, 10 have been delivered, and the entire batch is expected to be completed by 2012.

Now the question arises what happened to IJT being developed by DRDO which is supposed to get Operational clearance by the end of 2011. Do we need a basic Jet Trainer in addition to IJT or the Basic Jet Trainer is to replace IJT.
It was reported that as a vote of confidence, the Chief of Air Staff has placed an order for 16 HJT-36s, meant for the national aerobatic team, the Surya Kirans. A second vote came from the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister Dr. V.K. Atre, who said, "We are few more steps to the AJT and a larger LCA, the mid-combat aircraft"
The HJT-36(IJT) allows India to build any of the following:


1] A basic trainer, suitable for basic jet training.
2] A trainer for basic combat use of unguided weapons, air-to-air missiles and sea targets.
3] A combat trainer with under-wing hardpoints capable of launching guided missiles and using guidance equipment pods.
4] A single-seater tactical fighter, with guns, all-weather radar for use of AAMs and ASMs.
5] A Coast Guard SAR aircraft, with a nose-mounted search radar.
6] A sporty private jet for enthusiasts.