{{Short description|Indian trainer aircraft project}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42 topview.jpg | alt = | caption = HLFT-42 scale model displayed at Aero India (2023) | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Lead-in Fighter Trainer / Light Combat Aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = India | manufacturer = | design_group = Aircraft Research and Design <br>Centre (HAL) | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Under development | owners = | primary_user = Indian Air Force (Intended) | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''HAL HLFT-42''' ('''Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer – 42''') is a design for an Indian lead-in fighter trainer proposed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed as a next-generation supersonic trainer jet, it is planned to serve as an advanced trainer for upcoming HAL Tejas Mk2 and HAL AMCA fighter jets. Notably, the HLFT-42 will also be used as a fully-fledged fighter jet to perform combat missions. HAL unveiled the design of the scale model of the HLFT-42 at the 14th edition of Aero India (2023), which was held in Bangalore.
The Indian Air Force has expressed its intent to use the HLFT-42 in the future to replace the existing BAE Hawk 132 jet trainers.<ref name="ref1">{{cite web |date=10 February 2023 |title=Aero India 2023: HAL to Display Unique Aatmanirbhar Formation, Will Showcase HLFT-42 |url=https://hal-india.co.in/Aero%20India%202023%20HAL%20to%20Display%20Unique%20Aatmanirbhar%20Formation,%20Will%20Showcase%20HLFT-42/ND__407 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112131348/https://hal-india.co.in/Aero%20India%202023%20HAL%20to%20Display%20Unique%20Aatmanirbhar%20Formation,%20Will%20Showcase%20HLFT-42/ND__407 |archive-date=2023-11-12 |type=media release |agency=Hindustan Aeronautics Limited}}</ref><ref name="ref2"></ref><ref name="ref3">{{cite web |last=Lake |first=Jon |date=20 February 2023 |title=Hindustan Aeronautics Unveils Lead-in Fighter Trainer Project |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-02-20/hindustan-aeronautics-unveils-lead-fighter-trainer-project |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120919/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-02-20/hindustan-aeronautics-unveils-lead-fighter-trainer-project |archive-date=20 February 2023 |work=Aviation International News}}</ref>
== Development == The concept for the HLFT-42 was initiated in 2017, and officially unveiled at Aero India 2023 by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).<ref name="ref2">{{cite web |last=Jha |first=Manish Kumar |date=1 June 2023 |title=HAL to develop a new advanced fighter jet trainer for the IAF |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-hal-to-develop-a-new-advanced-fighter-jet-trainer-for-the-iaf-3110264/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109041407/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-hal-to-develop-a-new-advanced-fighter-jet-trainer-for-the-iaf-3110264/ |archive-date=9 November 2023 |website=The Financial Express}}</ref> As of 14 February 2023, HAL reported that the HLFT-42 development project had reached an advanced stage of development and was expected to progress to the final design stage within the next four to five years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dighe |first=Sandip |date=15 February 2023 |title=Aero India 2023: 'HAL's fighter trainer jet in advanced analysis stage' |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/aero-india-2023-hals-fighter-trainer-jet-in-advanced-analysis-stage/articleshow/97932794.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320111558/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/aero-india-2023-hals-fighter-trainer-jet-in-advanced-analysis-stage/articleshow/97932794.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=20 March 2023}}</ref> Its primary role is to replace the Indian Air Force's current BAE Hawk jet trainers and serve as the trainer for future fighter jets, including the HAL Tejas Mk2 and HAL AMCA. Additionally, it will be capable of performing combat missions.<ref name="ref3"></ref>
In 2025, HAL revealed that it was redesigning the HLFT-42 following recommended actions from the IAF. HAL also plans to develop the HLFT-42 as the mothership for the HAL CATS unmanned weapon system, replace the previously planned derivatives of HAL Tejas Mk1A and the SEPECAT Jaguar. Reportedly HAL has not chosen an engine to power the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=HAL's HLFT-42 Undergoing Major Redesign Based-on IAF Feedback, Emerges as Potential Combat Jet, and Mothership for CATS Warrior |url=https://defence.in/threads/hals-hlft-42-undergoing-major-redesign-based-on-iaf-feedback-emerges-as-potential-combat-jet-and-mothership-for-cats-warrior.13013/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Defence News India |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Design == thumb|240x240px|Design of Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42 HLFT-42 is designed as a single-engine, conventionally swept-wing aircraft with a bubble canopy. It is anticipated that maximum take-off weight of HLFT-42 will be around 16,500 kilograms.<ref name="ref2"></ref> This aircraft will feature advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array radar, infrared search and track sensor and electronic warfare (EW) suite, all complemented by a FBW system.<ref name="ref1"></ref> The HLFT-42 mock-up displayed at Aero India (2023) showcased three hardpoints under each wing, three under the fuselage, and one on each wing tip, totaling 11 hardpoints for integrating weapons. These weapons may include close-combat-missiles (like ASRAAM) and beyond-visual-range missiles (such as Astra), which effectively transform the HLFT-42 into a fully-fledged fighter jet.<ref name="ref3"></ref>
==Specifications (Projected)== {{Aircraft specs | prime units? = kts<!-- General characteristics --> | crew = 2 | length m = 16 | span m = 9 | height m = 4.6 | max takeoff weight kg = 16500 | fuel capacity = {{cvt|3500|kg|0}} internal | hardpoints = Total of 11 with 6 underwing 2 wingtip and 3 under fuselage; holding up to 5000 kg (11,023 lb) of payload | hardpoint missiles = <br /> *** Air-to-air missiles: ****Astra Mk2 ****Astra Mk1 ****Astra IR ****ASRAAM *** Air-to-surface missiles: ****BrahMos NG ****LR-LACM *** Anti-ship missiles: ****NASM-MR ***Anti-radiation missiles: ****Rudram-1 ****Rudram-2 | hardpoint bombs = <br /> ***Precision-guided Bombs: ****Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon ****DRDO Gaurav ****DRDO Gautham ****HSLD-450/500 ***Laser-guided bombs: ****DRDO Sudarshan ***General-purpose bombs: ****HSLD-100/250/450/500 | avionics = * LRDE Uttam AESA Radar * CASDIC Radar warning receiver * Laser warning receiver ** '''Front Section Optronics:''' * IRST Sensor * Missile Approach Warning Receiver ** '''External Pods:''' * Self-Protection Jamming & Receiver Pods * Laser-Targeting pod ** '''Countermeasures:''' * Chaffs * Flares }}
== See also == {{Portal|India|Aviation}} {{aircontent |see also= |related= * HAL HJT-16 Kiran * HAL HJT-36 Yashas * HAL HJT 39 |similar aircraft= * AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle * Aeralis_Advanced_Jet_Trainer * Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master * Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk * Hongdu JL-10 * KAI T-50 Golden Eagle * TAI Hürjet * Yakovlev Yak-130 |lists= }}
== References == {{reflist}} == External links == [https://hal-india.co.in/Aero%20India%202023%20HAL%20to%20Display%20Unique%20Aatmanirbhar%20Formation,%20Will%20Showcase%20HLFT-42/ND__407 HAL Official Website for details of Media Releases about HLFT-42]
Category:Indian military aircraft procurement programs Category:Proposed military aircraft HLTF-42 Category:Single-engined jet aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear