Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), Türkiye's aviation and space industry giant, has reached a significant milestone in the HÜRKUŞ project, the country's first original basic training aircraft. Following years of development, testing, and improvement work, the aircraft, shaped according to the needs of the Turkish Air Force, has achieved this milestone. New Generation HÜRKUŞ, It is coming off the mass production line and getting ready for delivery. It successfully completed its first flight last December. New Generation HÜRKUŞ, This showcases the project's long history, its technological evolution, and its growing national capabilities.
The story of HÜRKUŞ began in the early 2000s with Türkiye's vision of producing its own training aircraft. This vision materialized with the "Basic Initial and Basic Training Aircraft Development Program Contract" signed between TUSAŞ and the Presidency of Defence Industries (then called the Undersecretariat) on March 15, 2006. The project was named HÜRKUŞ in honor of Vecihi Hürkuş, a pioneering figure in Turkish aviation history.
The first prototype HURKUŞ-A, It was developed for concept validation purposes and made history on August 29, 2013, when it took to the skies for the first time. Following this success, it was designed to meet the Turkish Air Force's need for 15 basic training aircraft. HURKUŞ-B A new contract was signed on December 26, 2013, for the development of its configuration. HÜRKUŞ-B was equipped with avionics systems and cockpit arrangements suitable for military training requirements. The HÜRKUŞ project achieved international recognition on July 11, 2016, with the Type Certificate issued by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), becoming the first Turkish aircraft to receive this certificate.
The Next Generation HÜRKUŞ: Technical Excellence and Increased Local Production
The changing and evolving needs of the Turkish Air Force, along with TUSAŞ's in-depth experience gained during the project process, triggered the development of a more capable platform than just HÜRKUŞ-B. This platform made its first flight on December 30, 2024. New Generation HÜRKUŞ, This is the latest link in this evolution. Key technical improvements in this new version include:
- Optimized Performance: The plane its weight was reduced And aerodynamic drag was reduced. This increases fuel efficiency while allowing the aircraft to... roll rate And maximum G performance Critical maneuverability capabilities such as these have been significantly improved. These features make the new HÜRKUŞ a leader in its class. “"the most agile"” One of their planes is doing it.
- Increased Local Content Rate: One of the most strategic achievements of the project is the significant increase in the localization rate. In HÜRKUŞ-B, components were previously supplied from abroad. canopy, cooling system, flap actuator system, fire blankets, seals, and hydraulic/fuel hoses Critical subsystems such as these were developed and produced domestically by TUSAŞ and local subcontractors. In addition, electromechanical, hydraulic and avionics components Localization efforts are also progressing rapidly. This is of great importance in terms of supply chain security and the development of the national technology ecosystem.
- Modern Avionics and Cockpit: The new generation glass cockpit offers pilots an interface similar to that of modern fighter aircraft. It integrates Graphical Multifunction Displays (GMFD), Mission Computer (MC), HOTAS controls, Head-Up Display (HUD), advanced navigation (INS & GPS, VOR/ILS, TACAN), and safety systems (TCAS-I & TAWS). The cockpit design, offering a high field of view, and the user-friendly interface enhance training effectiveness.
- Improved Design and Maintenance: Aerodynamic and aesthetic improvements were made, including new fairing structures, lighting integrated into the wingtips, and optimized dorsal and wingtip designs. In addition, system layouts were optimized. Maintenance workload was reduced.
New Generation HÜRKUŞ Delivery Schedule: Ready to Take Its Place in the Skies
Within the scope of the HÜRKUŞ project, nearly 1500 sorties and over 3200 flight hours have been carried out to date, proving the maturity and reliability of the aircraft. Under the contracts signed with the Presidency of Defence Industries, a total of 55 HÜRKUŞ aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force. The first phase of production... Deliveries of 15 New Generation HÜRKUŞ aircraft are expected to begin in 2025. and is planned to be completed. The remaining The delivery of 40 aircraft is expected by 2027. The goal is to complete it.
With the entry of the New Generation HÜRKUŞ into the inventory, the Turkish Air Force will conduct pilot training processes entirely with a domestic and modern platform, which will both improve the quality of training and reduce operational costs. HÜRKUŞ is preparing to take its place in the skies as a shining star of Türkiye's aviation industry capabilities and national technology initiative.
Key words: HÜRKUŞ, TUSAŞ, basic training aircraft, HÜRKUŞ-A, HÜRKUŞ-B, new generation HÜRKUŞ, domestic aircraft, national aircraft, Turkish Air Force, delivery, aircraft project, defense industry, localization rate, avionics, aircraft modernization, TAI, pilot training, aircraft development
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