In November, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) revealed the first prototype of its next-generation fighter (NGFA), the MMU (Milli Muharip Ucak). The unit is currently undergoing final assembly as TAI’s production facility. TAI is working to complete the prototype by 2023 and, in turn, fly the aircraft by 2026.
Turkey began planning for a homegrown NGFA in 2010 with the aim of gradually replacing its workhorse multirole fighter, the F-16C/D. Turkey had called on several OEMs for assistance in developing the fighter, and it got responses from Sweden’s Saab and Britain’s BAE Systems.
In 2017, TAI signed an agreement with BAE Systems. Under the £100 million-plus deal, the latter provided design and development assistance to TAI. However, this was a transactional agreement with BAE selling services to TAI. Ultimately, Turkey was aiming to indigenize the TFX’s critical inputs and, following its exit from the F-35 Lightning II program, build a turnkey industry for the TFX domestically.
One interesting aspect of the MMU is its design configuration. While opting for a twin-engine design was not a surprise, even in the context of replacing F-16s. Most of the emerging medium-weight NGFAs, such as the Chinese J-35 and South Korean KF-21, are twin-engine designs.
Rather, the intriguing characteristic of the MMU is that it is a heavyweight twin-engine design. It will utilize two GE F110-class engines, much like the F-15 Eagle. Thus, it is possible that the MMU, especially a later block, could provide a notable payload and range upgrade over the F-16.
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