SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) owned upgraded Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainer (AJT) that is called Hawk-i by the company will be used as a Testbed aircraft for the upcoming Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42) that was recently unveiled at Aero India 2023.
Hawk-i will be integrated with an indigenous Fly by wire system and indigenously developed Mission Computer and other systems such as secure voice communication and data link capability that will eventually find their way into HLFT-42 when work on the prototype begins in the next 4-5 years.
LCA-Tejas program will also help immensely HLFT-42 program in the long term as most of the main systems of the aircraft like AESA Fire control Radar, F-414 Engine, Smart MFDs and other systems will ensure that high commonality with the Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 platforms remains.
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