Ajeet
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Ajeet was an Indian development of the British Folland Gnat Fighter that had been built under licence in India.
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[edit] Origin
The Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a requirement for a Gnat Mk 2 in 1972. Although the original requirement called for an interceptor, it was later modified to include a secondary ground-attack role. HAL (Hindustan Aeronauticals Ltd.) modified two Gnats to act as test-bed aircraft for subsystems; these first flew in 1975, followed by the first flight of production aircraft on the 30th of September 1976. The aircraft was given the name "Ajeet", Sanskrit for "Invincible," or "Unconquered".
[edit] Changes from basic Gnat
The changes from the original Gnat were considerable. They included:
- Improvements to the hydraulics and control systems (these had been a source of difficulties in the Gnat).
- Fitting of improved Martin-Baker GF4 ejection seats.
- Upgraded avionics.
- The addition of slab tail control surfaces.
- Improvements to the landing gear.
- Additional internal fuel capacity.
- Installation of two more underwing hardpoints.
Visually, the Ajeet appeared similar to the Gnat, with the presence of two extra hardpoints being the only obvious distinguishing features from the older aircraft.
[edit] Service History
The Ajeet entered service with the IAF in 1977 and was retired in 1991.
The Ajeet never saw combat; had it done so, its small and nimble airframe, together with heavy armament (given the size of the aircraft) may well have made it a tough adversary.
[edit] Developments
A HAL project for a trainer based on the Ajeet was begun, leading to the initial flight of a prototype in 1982. Unfortunately this aircraft was lost in a crash later that year. A second prototype flew the following year, followed by a third. But a lack of government interest and the iminent phase out of the aircraft meant no more examples were produced. The two surviving aircraft were sent to the only lone unit in the IAF operating the Ajeet, No.2 Squadron. The aircraft served with the Squadron till the phase out of the Ajeet in 1991.
[edit] Variants
- Gnat Mk 2 : The original Indian Air Force designation for the Ajeet Mk 1.
- Ajeet Mk 1 : Single-seat lightweight ground-attack and interceptor fighter aircraft.
- Ajeet Trainer : Two-seat advanced jet training prototype. Also known as the Ajeet Mk 2.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (HAL Ajeet)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 28 ft 8 in (8.74 m)
- Wingspan: 22 ft 1 in (6.73 m)
- Height: 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m)
- Wing area: 136.6 ft² (12.69 m²)
- Empty weight: 5,090 lb (2,307 kg)
- Loaded weight: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,195 lb (4,171 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× TJE HAL/Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus 701-01 turbojet, 4,705 lbf (20.9 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 761 mph at 20,000 ft (1,225 km/h at 6,100 m)
- Range: 500 mi (805 km)
- Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,630 m)
- Rate of climb: 20,000 ft/min (101.6 m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
Armament
- 2× 30 mm ADEN cannons
- Up to 1985 lb (900 kg) of external stores on four underwing hardpoints
