NAL Saras - WikiHQ

The NAL Saras () is the first Indian multi-purpose civilian aircraft in the light transport aircraft category as designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

In January 2016, it was reported that the project had been cancelled. In February 2019, India's Ministry of Finance approved for the production of the airliner.

The original design target parameters included a maximum take-off weight of 6,100 kg and a maximum payload of 1,232 kg, a high cruise speed of over 600 km/h, an endurance of six hours, a maximum flight altitude of 12 km (cruise altitude 10.5 km), short take-off and landing distances of about 600 m, a maximum rate of climb of 12 m/s, a low cabin noise of 78 dB, a range of 600 km with 19 passengers, 1,200 km with 14 passengers and 2,000 km with eight passengers, a high specific range of 2.5 km/kg and a low cost of operation of ₹ 5/km.

While the designed empty weight of the aircraft is around 4,125 kg, the first prototype weighed in around 5,118 kg. This issue is sought to be addressed by including composite wings and tail by the third prototype. The airframe of Saras-PT2 was built with lighter composites to reduce its overall weight by about 400 kg from its first prototype, which was overweight by about 900 kg. The aircraft is powered by two Canadian Pratt & Whitney turbo-prop engines mounted in the pusher configuration.

The first prototype will be upgraded to meet the latest design criteria including higher-power 1,200 hp (895 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and improvements to the flight control and flight operations systems. The upgraded PT1 is due to make its first flight by the end of 2011 leading to certification and first deliveries in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Revised version

thumb|Saras during flight with [[pusher configuration. ]]

As of 20 January 2016 National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) had stopped all work on Saras as the funding for the project stopped by end of 2013. Engineers who were working on NAL Saras got redeployed to other ongoing similar projects with higher strategic importance.

In October 2016, it was reported that government is mulling a revival plan. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), that had almost shelved the plan, is on a rethink mode with additional funding in the pipeline.

As of 14 February 2017, the reconfigured first prototype had been handed over to the IAF's Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), which had conducted a few low-speed ground runs. The National Aerospace Lab's (NAL) director Jitendra J. Jadhav is said to be looking at putting the Saras back into the air by June–July, though officers on the programme seem to think August–September was a more likely timeframe.

An upgraded Saras undertook high speed taxi trial on 2 January 2018 at Bangalore.

The revised version with 14 seats instead of 19, Saras-PTN1, has improved avionics, radar, linear wing flap actuator, environmental control system, engine flap actuators and flight control system.<!-- In a press conference during Aero India 2019, it was revealed that ₹6,000 crores were released for the production of the aircraft as NAL had got the certification for its improved version recently. Weight was no longer an issue as team was successful in cutting down weight by 0.9 tonnes. The new version will also be fitted with better avionics. Additional improvements include a pair of 1200 shaft horsepower engines and 104-inch diameter propeller to cater the requirement of second segment climb gradient. CSIR will collaborate with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in developing an indigenous turboprop engine for Saras. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will manufacture Saras at its Kanpur facility.

Mark 2

The CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, NAL is also engaged development of Saras Mk2, a 19-seater version of the airliner. Government has given clearance and fund requirement to NAL for development of same. NAL has completed basic testing for pre-production standard and aims for certification in 4 years to produce first aircraft in following one-and-a-half-year. Mark 2 will undergo wind tunnel testing in November 2019 with tractor configuration. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) demanded an additional grant of ₹100 crore for 2021–22. NAL is targeting ₹50 crore per unit cost for Saras Mk2 against ₹55 crore for Dornier 228 that has unpressurized cabin with altitude restriction. NAL wants the government to purchase 50-60 units to make manufacturing viable.

On 27 March 2022, NAL unveiled 16-seater air ambulance variant of Saras Mk2 at Wings India 2022 in Hyderabad. International Critical Care Air Transfer Team (ICATT) from Bengaluru signed letter of intent to purchase 2 units.

On 14 May 2022, NAL started taxi trials of locally developed digital anti-skid braking system on Saras PT1N that will help landing on shorter runways. A total of 15-20 trials are planned to check system performance. It is a state-of-art brake-by-wire electro-hydraulic braking system that is controlled by high-performance flight control computer. Upon validation, the system will be transferred on Saras Mk2. Paras Defence supplied complete glass avionics suite for Saras MK2 in March 2023.

As of April 2024, NAL plans to have the Mark-2's maiden flight by late 2027, which is a delay from the target of 2026–27. NAL had reportedly bought most of the materials and fabrication would start only after release of drawings. While most of the components will be developed by NAL some would be outsourced to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (metallic parts) and other vendors (fuselage sections). Avionics is being sourced from Genesis. Two prototypes are to be built whose first flight will follow one year-long taxi trials, or ground-based runs at various speeds. The Saras prototype PT1N will serve as a technology demonstrator from which NAL's brake management and environmental control will be derived.

Orders

The IAF has signed up with National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore for the purchase of 15 Saras aircraft and may need 45 more. "NAL signed a memorandum of understanding with IAF to sell 15 Saras aircraft. The Kanpur unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will manufacture these planes", The aircraft would be used for coastal surveillance as well as training young cadets on transport flying.

₹6,000 crores were initially released in early 2019 for the production of aircraft. Initial order of 15 aircraft by IAF may go up to 120–140 in upcoming years. A court of inquiry found that wrong engine relight drills given to the pilots contributed to the crash, concluding that an "Incorrect relight procedure devised by the designer and adopted by the crew at insufficient height leading to rapid loss of altitude and abnormal behaviour of aircraft resulted into accident."

Specifications (Saras Mk2)

References

External links

NAL Saras page
A Soaring Success
Saras second Proto-Type Status
HAL to make India's first passenger aeroplane

Technical:

SARAS Mark 2