Turkish Aerospace continues showcasing the progress it is making on its key aircraft projects. The Pakistan Navy confirms its supersonic anti-ship missile capability as well as speaks to its ongoing development programs.
Turkish Aerospace Makes Progress on Hürjet Trainer Prototype
On 23 December, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) rolled out the (partially completed) prototype of its Hürjet lead-in-fighter trainer (LIFT).
According to Dr. Rafet Bozdoğan, the Chairman of TAI/TUSAŞ, the Hürjet’s aerostructure work is mostly complete. Moreover, the second Hürjet prototype is also under production.
TAI is aiming to conduct the maiden test flight of the Hürjet on 18 March 2023. To reach that milestone, TAI will start carrying out the Hürjet’s engine integration and ground test work in the coming months.
The Hürjet is one of TAI/TUSAŞ’ key homegrown aerospace programs, alongside the MMU/TFX next-generation fighter aircraft, the Hürkuş turboprop-powered trainer, T625 utility helicopter, and T929 heavy attack helicopter. TAI is developing the Hürjet for both domestic and export purposes.
Domestically, the Hürjet will play the critical role of replacing the Turkish Air Force’s legacy T-38 Talon advanced jet trainers (AJT) and F-5 Tiger II lightweight fighters. In this respect, the Hürjet will serve as both a LIFT/AJT and a light combat multirole aircraft.
A Naval Hürjet?
In addition, TAI is believed to be carrying out studies of using the Hürjet design as a potential manned fighter aircraft for carrier-based naval operations. It is unclear (if not unlikely) the Hürjet in its current form would suffice for the carrier role. India had developed a functional naval variant of its Tejas (also being a lightweight fighter), but the Indian Navy opted not to use it due to substantial trade-offs being made to the payload, range, and weight of the aircraft.
It would not be surprising if TAI reaches similar conclusions with the Hürjet in its current configuration. But at the same time, the initial study could potentially lead to another project, one for a heavier class of single-engine fighter that could efficiently operate from carriers.
Engine versus Exports
The Hürjet will use the GE F404 turbofan engine. While a credible powerplant, the F404 may constrain the Hürjet’s export potential due to the fact that it is an ITAR-compliant product. The LIFT/AJT market, especially among users of Western equipment, is already saturated. Thus, Turkey might try promoting the aircraft to countries that cannot readily buy Western, especially American, equipment.
In this sense, it will be worth watching Turkey’s indigenous turbofan development work. In fact, it has gradually been scaling up the scope of its turbofan engine programs. Currently, it has the TF6000 and TF10000, which offer 26.6 kN and 44.5 kN in thrust (with afterburner), respectively.
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