The Turkish aviation industry has passed another critical stage in its jet aircraft development journey. TUSAŞ has successfully completed HÜRJET's low-altitude and high-speed tests in Antalya. In this challenging test, engineers took two prototypes to supersonic speeds over the Mediterranean. Consequently, the company has accelerated the inventory entry process by confirming the aircraft's operational limits.
18 Sorties and 79 Test Points
TUSAŞ test pilots and engineers worked intensively during the flights in Antalya. The teams conducted a total of 18 sorties with the two prototypes. During these flights, experts collected real-time telemetry data from 79 different test points.
Reaching supersonic speeds at low altitude represents one of the most demanding physical conditions in aerospace engineering. Because air density increases significantly closer to sea level. When the aircraft breaks the sound barrier in this dense air, the airframe is subjected to maximum aerodynamic drag. With these tests, TUSAŞ proved HÜRJET's structural durability and vibration limits at their extremes. Additionally, experts successfully validated the engine's full power performance at low altitude.
Why is Low Altitude Important?
HÜRJET was not produced solely as a jet trainer aircraft. The aircraft will also actively undertake close air support and light attack missions. Of course, such combat missions are typically conducted at low altitudes to hide from enemy radars.
Furthermore, pilots in these operations must reach the target quickly and perform sudden manoeuvres. Therefore, the aircraft's ability to remain stable at high speeds near sea level is vitally important. In short, the critical aerodynamic data obtained in Antalya definitively proves the aircraft's reliability in combat scenarios.
A New Era in Fleet Training
The flawless completion of the Antalya tests clearly indicates that the flight envelope expansion phase of the project is nearing its end. In the subsequent process, TUSAŞ engineers will further improve the flight control software using the data obtained from the tests.
Ultimately, Türkiye will fly the pilots it trains with its own supersonic jets. HÜRJET will elevate our military's pilot training capability to its peak with its superior performance and modern avionics systems. Thus, domestic platforms will also powerfully export our national signature in the sky to the international market.
