National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), India's second largest aerospace firm after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has decided to revive decade-old aircraft programmes that have almost been shelved or shut down. The facilities at the lab are also being refurbished to give NAL a new look and purpose. Currently, NAL is desperate to showcase its aircraft development programme skills, having come under severe criticism from several quarters.
The aircraft programmes have suffered delays and Indian scientists have not been able to develop key aircraft technologies, barring the flight control system, to have India's aircrafts flying. But now things will change, says Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.
NAL has charted out a road map to revive the 14-seater SARAS aircraft. The go-ahead has been given for flight testing and evaluation of SARAS PT1N aircraft. "Shortly we will be starting the flight tests with ASTE team and engine ground tests are initiated. We will be moving towards building an aircraft that will meet the requirements of the IAF," Jitendra Jadhav, NAL Director told International Business Times, India.
The SARAS aircraft will undergo 25 test flights through this year and at the end of the flight testing, two prototypes of the aircraft will be built, which would cost around Rs 400 crore. The plan is to build a 14-seater aircraft and based on its performance, a 19-seater will be built.
A Next Generation Hansa aircraft, a two-seat all composite light aircraft for flying training, is also being built. This aircraft will be manufactured in a year's time and the production responsibility has been given to Madhya Pradesh-based Mesco Aerospace. Apart from hobby flying, the aircraft will be used as a flying platform for flight testing and experimentation.
16/02/17 Prashanth G N/IBTimes
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The aircraft programmes have suffered delays and Indian scientists have not been able to develop key aircraft technologies, barring the flight control system, to have India's aircrafts flying. But now things will change, says Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.
NAL has charted out a road map to revive the 14-seater SARAS aircraft. The go-ahead has been given for flight testing and evaluation of SARAS PT1N aircraft. "Shortly we will be starting the flight tests with ASTE team and engine ground tests are initiated. We will be moving towards building an aircraft that will meet the requirements of the IAF," Jitendra Jadhav, NAL Director told International Business Times, India.
The SARAS aircraft will undergo 25 test flights through this year and at the end of the flight testing, two prototypes of the aircraft will be built, which would cost around Rs 400 crore. The plan is to build a 14-seater aircraft and based on its performance, a 19-seater will be built.
A Next Generation Hansa aircraft, a two-seat all composite light aircraft for flying training, is also being built. This aircraft will be manufactured in a year's time and the production responsibility has been given to Madhya Pradesh-based Mesco Aerospace. Apart from hobby flying, the aircraft will be used as a flying platform for flight testing and experimentation.
16/02/17 Prashanth G N/IBTimes
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