Don't miss HAL's SPORT star this Aero India

Bengaluru: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is landing at the 12th edition of Aero India with a SPORT star!

Unveiling at the show will be the simulator of SPORT (Supersonic Omni Role Trainer) aircraft, an unheard programme of HAL. The plane-maker has come up with the theme ‘Innovate, Integrate and Lead,’ for this year’s show to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka from February 20 to 24.

The company says they would soon launch the indigenous development of SPORT with 4++ generation capabilities to bridge the gap in pilot training.

The SPORT aircraft is aimed at training after Advanced Jet Training stage and before the induction of pilots into a frontline fighter squadron.

However, the icing on the cake will be the demonstration of tail boom folding and main rotor folding of Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH), as a Technology Demonstrator (TD).

“This NUH is the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv with customisation to meet the operational requirements of the Navy. This has been a long-standing demand of Navy and we are now ready with the TD so that eventually it will aid deck operations smoothly,” an HAL official said.

HAL chairman R Madhavan said on Wednesday that the team will highlight its indigenously-designed and developed fixed and rotary wing platforms, technologies covering power plants and latest R&D (research and development) offerings at the show.

“As an industry leader we will continue to leave a mark in the domestic and global defence market. Aero India is the right opportunity for us to explore new opportunities into future,” Madhavan said.

On flying display will be the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132, named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).

On static display, HAL is showcasing Light Utility Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit).

Also on showcase will be the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25) and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE-1200) as technology demonstrators, rotary UAV, models of avionics and mechanical system Line Replacement Units and various complex manufacturing capabilities.