The Hindustan Aeronautics HF-24 Marut (Sanskrit: "storm deity") was an Indian fighter-bomber aircraft of the 1960s. It was India's first jet aircraft, first flying on June 17 1961.

The Marut was designed by the famed Kurt Tank, but never realised its full potential due to insufficient power. Although originally conceived to operate in the vicinity of Mach 2, the aircraft could barely exceed Mach 1 in level flight. The same lack of power made it completely inadequate for the ground attack role that it had originally been expected to fill. In the end, it proved cheaper and simpler to equip the Indian Air Force with Soviet combat aircraft rather than continue with the Marut's development, especially after Tank left the programme in 1967

A total of 147 aircraft were built, including 18 two-seat trainers. The last examples were withdrawn from service during 1985

Specifications (Marut Mk.1)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 15.87 m (52 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in)
• Height: 3.60 m (11 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 28 m² (301 ft²)
• Empty: 6,195 kg (13,629 lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 10,908 kg (23,998 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x Rolls-Royce Orpheus Mk 703, 21.6 kN (4,840 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,128 km/h (705 mph)
• Range: 800 km (500 miles)
• Service ceiling: 13,750 m (45,100 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)

Armament

• 4 x 30 mm cannons
• up to 48 x 2.65 in (67 mm) rockets
• up to 1,814 kg (3,990) of stores on 4 hardpoints

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft: Sukhoi Su-7

Designation sequence:

External links

• HINDUSTAN FIGHTER HF-24 MARUT