Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the second prototype of the Bangabandhu Basic Trainer (BBT) aircraft at the Military Hardware Display 2024 event on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for Bangladesh’s aviation industry.
The development of BBT-1 and BBT-2 stands as a landmark achievement, as local designers, engineers, and technicians at the Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre (BAC) constructed the aircraft using indigenous technology in Lalmonirhat under the supervision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU).
Design Highlights:
- Retractable tricycle landing gear with a wheel at the nose
- Low-wing design arrangement
- Frame constructed from wood, aviation-grade steel, and aluminum
- Equipped with two seats, both operable by pilots
- Designed for training purposes, adaptable for light attacks
- Can accommodate two extra passengers or a stretcher with a patient
BBT-1:
- Manufacturing initiated in January 2020
- Completed within one and a half years
- Maiden flight conducted on February 12, 2023
BBT-2:
- Larger, safer, and stronger variant
- Manufacturing began in February 2022
- First flight successfully executed on October 26, 2023
- Commercial setup expected to take 3-4 months
- Raw material cost estimated at Tk1.5 crore, significantly lower than imported trainer aircraft costing Tk5-6 crore
Imported Components:
- Engine: 100HP Rolls-Royce M250 340 kW turboprop
- Propeller, avionics, and safety equipment
Key Specifications:
- Length: 6.10m
- Height: 1.84m
- Wing span: 8.18m
- Speed range: 61-250km/hr
- Service ceiling: 20,000 feet
- Weight carrying capacity: 500-800kg
Flying Capacity:
- Endurance of 5.5-6 hours at a stretch
- Range of 1,000km on a full tank
- Fuel consumption rate: 12-16L/hour
