India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has assumed the mantle of responsibility for designing a regional transport aircraft (RTA) after nine years of failed attempts by Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL). HAL has released a request for information (RFI) for collaboration with another airframer to build a 50- to 80-seat “medium-sized twin turbofan/turboprop” in India. The RFI calls for responses by April 11. Plans call for the first prototype to take off in five years.
The project would cost approximately $1 billion for three prototypes and certification. “We are looking to the government for support and have submitted a proposal,” said HAL chairman T. Suvarna Raju. “We will work with a consortium of partners,” NAL original received $3 million to start work, but failed in its attempts to produce a design.
Should responses from prospective manufacturing partners prove encouraging, the 50-50 joint venture project would tie in with the government’s “Make in India” campaign and help address its long-held desire to expand regional and remote connectivity. The OEM partner would provide transfer of technology for manufacture, testing and supply and certification.
15/03/16 Neelam Mathews/AINonline
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
The project would cost approximately $1 billion for three prototypes and certification. “We are looking to the government for support and have submitted a proposal,” said HAL chairman T. Suvarna Raju. “We will work with a consortium of partners,” NAL original received $3 million to start work, but failed in its attempts to produce a design.
Should responses from prospective manufacturing partners prove encouraging, the 50-50 joint venture project would tie in with the government’s “Make in India” campaign and help address its long-held desire to expand regional and remote connectivity. The OEM partner would provide transfer of technology for manufacture, testing and supply and certification.
15/03/16 Neelam Mathews/AINonline
