HAL has
achieved another milestone by handing over the first home-made Hawk
Mk -132 aircraft to Indian Navy at a function here today. “We
built this aircraft in time and this is the first of the five aircraft
to be delivered to the Indian Navy. The remaining four will be delivered
soon”, said Dr. R. K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. He handed over the
related documents to Vice Admiral Pradeep K Chatterjee, AVSM, NM, Deputy
Chief of Naval Staff. |
Dr.
Tyagi said it is matter of pride that all the training aircraft of the
Indian Navy have been supplied by HAL. “We are carrying forward
this legacy and will ensure that Navy gets all the support from HAL
on all parameters”, he added. Hawk Mk 132 is the latest entry
into HAL made and maintained aircraft and helicopters of Indian Navy
which include Kiran and Do-228 aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH),
Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. In addition HAL has also supported Navy
in upgrade of Sea Harrier.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Chatterjee said Navy has long
standing unique partnership with HAL. “We will continue to work
shoulder to shoulder for all our current and future programs. Hawk delivered
today will have a pride of place in Navy’s fleet. Given the fruitful
association with HAL, we will even think of reviving past projects”,
he said.
Against the contract for supplying 17 Hawk aircraft, HAL plans to deliver
five aircraft in the current fiscal and balance in next three years
to Indian Navy.
Hawk Mk-132 Aircraft: The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is a dual seat multi-purpose
aircraft powered by a single Rolls Royce Adour Mk.871 engine. The Hawk
AJT is primarily used for basic, advanced and weapons training of the
pilots. However, the Aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground
attack aircraft or for air defence.
The Hawk AJT has excellent flying characteristics with good stability
can be flown at night and can perform wide range of aerobatic manoeuvres.
The aircraft can remarkably accommodate a wide variety of external stores.
The cockpit is arranged in an efficient ergonomic manner in order to
provide a lead-in to modern front line aircraft. The cockpit provides
an excellent field of view for both pilots. The instructor’s station
in the rear cockpit has appropriate override control of vital functions.
The primary flight control systems are provided by means of an all-moving
tailplane, aileron and rudder deflections respectively. The secondary
flight control systems comprise wing double slotted flaps and an air
brake on the underside of the rear fuselage |
