The Turkish Air Force intends to use the design to replace the Northrop T-38 Talon in the trainer role and also to supplement the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon for close air support.[4] The aircraft is also planned to replace the Northrop F-5 used by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. A naval version of the aircraft may also be developed.[8] The company also plans to pursue export orders to countries looking to replace older trainer and ground attack aircraft.[3]
Design and development
Hürjet mockup at Teknofest 2019
The project was initiated by TAI in August 2017 as a private venture. A mock-up was displayed at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.[4] On 22 July 2018, the Turkish Under-secretariat for Defence Industries announced that the Turkish Air Force had signed an agreement with TAI, giving the project official status to move development forward.[4]
TAI completed the first test simulator for the aircraft in September 2020. Designated Hürjet 270, the artificial intelligence based simulator will incorporate feedback from the test pilots to change the flight control algorithms and the avionics software during the flight test process.[9][10] The company has developed simulator avionics, flight control systems, screen, cockpit and communication systems for the simulator.[11]
Turkey has invited Malaysia to join the Hürjet project, in the role of producing some parts for the aircraft. While Malaysia has some experience developing composite materials, it has never designed and built any aircraft.[12]
On January 12, 2022, the Defense Industry Executive Committee convened and announced that the first stage mass production decision was taken for the Hürjet, which is scheduled to make its first flight in 2025.[13]
On April 25, 2023, the maiden flight of the Hürjet was conducted from TAI's testing airfield in Ankara, by Hürjet's Chief Testing Pilot Ercan Çelik.[14]
On September 3, 2023, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a formation flight with the Turkish Stars aerobatic team, completing a total of 17 flights, accumulating a total of 9 hours and 8 minutes of flight time.[15]
In May 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a formation flight with an ANKA-3 stealth UCAV prototype, completing a total of 66 flights.[16]
On July 11, 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a transonic flight test, reaching a speed of Mach 0.9 at an altitude of 30,000 feet, completing a total of 79 flights.[17]
On July 22, 2024, TAI, GE Aerospace and TEI signed a Memorandum of Understanding on integrating the F404 engine into new Hürjet aircraft variants and performing assembly, inspection, and testing of the F404 engines in Turkey. TEI would also provide assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the engine for Hürjet aircraft and export customers. TEI also plans to perform production of the engines and provide integrated logistics support (ILS) for end-users.[18][19]
On July 28, 2024, the first Hürjet, designated tail number #24-001 with Turkish Air Force insignia, successfully landed in Torrejón Air Base for evaluation by the Spanish Air and Space Force regarding Spain's tender to replace its F-5 aircraft fleet. The flight started in TAI facilities in Ankara (LTAE) with stops in Tekirdağ (TEQ), Belgrade (BEG), Brescia (VBS) and Mont-de-Marsan (LFBM) before arriving in Madrid (TOJ).[20][21]
On August 16, 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted its 100th flight piloted by TAI test pilots Ercan Çelik and Orhan Boran, accumulating a total of 118 hours of flight time.[22][23]
The Hürjet prototype is expected to be showcased to the Egyptian Air Force and other militaries from Africa and the Middle East with a demonstration flight at the Egypt International Airshow 2024.[24][25]
On 12 November the second prototype of Hürjet successfully completed its first flight. The second Hürjet prototype (PT-2, TUS-A003), remained airborne for 26 minutes on its first flight, reaching a speed of 260 knots and an altitude of 10,000 feet, with an F-16D flying ‘chase’.[26]
On 21 November the second prototype of Hürjet took off into the sky with its new paint.[27]
Operational history
Turkey
The initial procurement order of 4 Block 0 units (with option of additional 12 Block 1 units) was later converted to a final order of 16 units with advancement of delivery dates.[28]
Future and potential operators
Spain
In July 2024, TAI Hürjet flew to Spain, participating in the tender to replace Spain's ageing Northrop F-5 fleet.[29] The next month, there were rumors that Spain is interested in procurement of 24 Hürjets, in exchange for six Airbus A400M tactical airlifters, which were then softly denied by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.[30] On 20 December 2024, Spanish and Turkish officials signed the memorandum for cooperation, formalizing the deal for the first time.[31]
United States
The TAI Hürjet will participate in the US Navy tender to replace its T-45 Goshawk aircraft. The replacement plan has been delayed by 2 years, postponing the period to the second quarter of 2028. The US Navy will acquire 145 jet trainers in total. Participants will be the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, TF-50N version of KAI T-50 modified in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, M-346N version of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 modified in cooperation with Textron,[32] a version of TAI Hürjet modified in cooperation with Sierra Nevada Corporation to meet US Navy criteria.[33][34]
Failed bids
Malaysia
The TAI Hürjet participated in the MalaysiaLight combat aircraft tender which started in 2021. Malaysia had a budget of $900 million to acquire 18 LCA. The companies and their products that submitted their bids for the tender for the light combat aircraft of the Malaysian Air Force were the KAI T-50, TAI Hürjet, Aero L-159 ALCA, Alenia Aermacchi M-346, HAL Tejas, and Mikoyan MiG-35. In 2023 Malaysia announced the KAI T-50 as a winner of the tender.[35]
Variants
Trainer
Advanced supersonic jet trainer version
Block 0 - prototype variant
Block 1 - production variant
Light Combat Aircraft
Version for close air support and armed air policing roles. The combat variant will carry locally produced air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground bombs.[36][37]
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