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TAI Hürkuş

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Hürkuş
TAI Hürkuş
Role Trainer aircraft and ground attack aircraft
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries
First flight 29 August 2013[1]
Status In service[2]
Primary user Turkish Air Force
Number built 18 (June 2020)[3]

The TAI Hürkuş (Free Bird)[4] is a tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine, turboprop aircraft being produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a trainer and ground attack aircraft for the Turkish Armed Forces.[5][6][7]

The aircraft is named after Vecihi Hürkuş, a World War I and Turkish Independence War veteran pilot, a Turkish aviation pioneer and the first Turkish airplane manufacturer.[8]

Design and development

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The TAI Hürkuş Development Program started with an agreement signed between Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) and TAI in March 2006. Under the agreement the company will design, manufacture and complete the civil certification the aircraft to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CS 23 standards.[9]

By June 2012 the Hürkuş program had consumed one million man-hours with the work of 140 engineers. About a quarter of the Turkish engineers who have worked on Hürkuş are female, as well as two of the three project heads.[10][11][12]

The Hürkuş will be equipped for day and night flying as well as basic pilot training, instrument flying, navigation training, weapons and formation training. The aircraft will have good visibility from both cockpits with a 50 degree down-view angle from the rear cockpit, cabin pressurization (nominal 4.16 psid), Martin-Baker Mk T-16 N 0/0 ejection seats, an onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS), an Environmental Control System (Vapor Cycle Cooling), an anti-G system, high shock absorbing landing gear for training missions, and Hands On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS).[6][9] Microtecnica of Turin, Italy has been selected to provide the aircraft's environmental control system.[13] The Hürkuş has been designed for a 35-year service life.[14]

The Hürkuş development program has been subject to delays. In 2007 it was forecast that the first prototype would fly in late-2009 with first delivery, upon completion of the certification process, forecast for 2011. On 27 June 2012, the Hürkuş was officially rolled out at a ceremony held at TAI's Kazan premises. The forecast date for the first flight was then delayed until later in 2012[6] and actually occurred on 29 August 2013 when the aircraft flew from the Ankara Akıncı Air Base on a 33-minute flight.[1][15][16][17]

The Turkish government has indicated that the aircraft is expected to attract export sales, possibly from Middle Eastern countries, African countries or countries with limited air force budgets.[6][7][11][18][19][20] According to a news report from CNN Türk, Australia and Sweden are interested in the aircraft.[10]

In 2016, the Hürkuş-A trainer aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)[21]

The Turkish Army has an order for 15 Hürkuş-B aircraft plus an option for 40 more. Deliveries are scheduled for mid 2017[22][21]

In February 2017, photos were released by the Turkish MoD showing the prototype for armed version, the Hürkuş-C.[23]

TAI developed Hürkuş 2, which is modified, lighter and better version of Hürkuş aircraft. The first prototypes are on the assembly line and are expected to appear in 2025 and make their first flight. Deliveries are expected to begin soon after, in the same year.[1]

Variants

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Hürkuş-C in the 2017 Paris Air Show
Hürkuş-A
Basic version which has been certified with EASA according to CS-23 requirements. It is intended for the civilian market.[22][24]
In 2016, the Hürkuş-A trainer aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).[21]
Hürkuş-B
Advanced version with integrated avionics (including HUD, MFDs, and Mission Computer).[25] Cockpit avionics layout is similar to F-16 and F-35 fighters.[26] The Turkish Army has an order for 15 aircraft plus an option for 40 more. Deliveries are scheduled for mid 2017.[22][21]
Hürkuş-C
An armed version for the close air support role in addition to pilot training missions, will have a maximum weapons load of 3,300lb (1,500kg) and also carry a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. It will be capable of operating from unprepared runways. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in using the aircraft in counter-terrorism environments and is expected to attract export orders. The main advantage will be to lower the cost of air power, especially in low-intensity combat theatres where anti-air warfare threats are minimal.[22][27][28][23]
In February 2017, photos were released by the Turkish MoD, showing the Hürkuş-C prototype carrying Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles, Roketsan Cirit laser-guided rockets, an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) pod (likely the Aselsan Common Aperture Targeting System or CATS), and external fuel tanks.[23]
The Turkish Armed Forces are scheduled to receive deliveries in 2018.[citation needed]
On 7 April 2017, a Hürkuş-C fired a Roketsan L-UMTAS anti-tank missile that successfully hit the target on the ground.[29]
Coast Guard version
TAI plans to offer another version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard's maritime patrol operations. The aircraft's rear seat would be occupied by an operator for a FLIR sensor using an ASELSAN FLIR system.[22][30]
Hürkuş-C UAS
An unmanned version of the Hurkus-C Counter-Insurgency Aircraft being developed for the Turkish Armed Forces.[31]

Operators

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Current operators

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 Turkey
 Libya
 Niger

 Chad

Future operators

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 Turkey

Specifications (Hürkuş)

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Data from TAI and Airforce Technology[25][37]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 574 km/h (357 mph, 310 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 463 km/h (288 mph, 250 kn)
  • Stall speed: 143 km/h (89 mph, 77 kn)
  • Range: 1,478 km (918 mi, 798 nmi) at 15000 ft (4572 m)
  • Endurance: 4.25 hours at 15000 ft (4572 m)
  • Service ceiling: 10,577 m (34,701 ft)
  • g limits: +7/-3.5
  • Rate of climb: 22 m/s (3,000 ft/min)

Armament

[42] Avionics

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ a b "HÜRKUŞ ilk uçuşunu gerçekleştirdi – Anadolu Ajansı". Aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2013-09-01. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  2. ^ "Deal signed for serial production of Turkish airplane Hürkuş". Hurriyet Daily News. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  3. ^ Yıldırım, Göksel (24 June 2020). "İlklerin uçağı Hürkuş sivil ve askeri ihtiyaçları karşılayacak". aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Turkey grounds T-37 fleet for safety checks". Flightglobal.com. 2012-02-08. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  5. ^ Hürriyet – Doğan Yayın Holding (2010). "İşte Hürkuş". Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d Turkish Aerospace Industries (2008). "TAI'S Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft(Hurkis) To be Displayed at 47th Paris Airshow". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  7. ^ a b Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (February 2010). "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft (HÜRKUŞ) Development Program". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  8. ^ Turkish Aerospace Industries (June 2007). "Aviation Week – Show News – Turkey's New Trainer Gets Old Name: Hurkis". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  9. ^ a b Turkish Aerospace Industries (2008). "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft – Hurkis". Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri". YouTube. 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2013-01-25.[dead YouTube link]
  11. ^ a b "Milliyet – İlk yerli uçak Hürkuş 1 milyon saatte tasarlandı". Ekonomi.milliyet.com.tr. 2012-06-27. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  12. ^ "Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  13. ^ Hoyle, Craig (June 2010). "Microtecnica selected to equip Turkey's Hurkus trainer". Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  14. ^ "Türkiye'nin uçağı Hürkuş". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  15. ^ "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer "Hürkuş" Rolls Out – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  16. ^ "HÜRKUŞ, ilk uçuşunu yaptı". ZAMAN. Archived from the original on 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  17. ^ Niles, Russ (2013-08-29). "Turkish Hurkus Military Trainer Flies – AVweb flash Article". Avweb. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  18. ^ "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  19. ^ "TAI Hurkus nears first flight and orders". Flightglobal.com. 2013-05-13. Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  20. ^ "Turkey to open contract negotiations with TAI for the serial production of the Hürkus Trainer Aircraft". January 4, 2014. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c d "Farnborough 2016: Turkey's Hurkus trainer receives type certification | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-21. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  22. ^ a b c d e "PICTURE: TAI rolls out Turkey's first Hurkus trainer". flightglobal.com. 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  23. ^ a b c "Turkish Aerospace Industries reveals Hürkuş-C close air support aircraft". quwa.org. 2017-02-17. Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  24. ^ "EASA Awards TAI with Design Organization Certificate – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  25. ^ a b "HURKUS – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  26. ^ "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  27. ^ "Hürkuş siparişi SSİK toplantısında gündeme geliyor". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  28. ^ "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  29. ^ Milli Savunma (9 April 2017). "HÜRKUŞ İlk Atışını LUMTAS Füzesiyle Gerçekleştirdi". Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero. Archived from the original on 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  31. ^ "Hürkuş insansız uçacak". takvim.com.tr. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  32. ^ "SSB'den 40 adet HÜRKUŞ-B siparişi: Mayıs 2025'e envanter | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  33. ^ "Libya apparently orders Hurkus aircraft". defenceWeb. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  34. ^ a b "TUSAŞ hangi ülkelere kaç adet hava aracı teslim etti?" (in Turkish). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  35. ^ Embraer, In association with. "2024 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  36. ^ "Jandarma Genel Komutanlığı 2023 Yılı Faaliyet Raporu Yayınlandı". www.jandarma.gov.tr. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  37. ^ "TAI Hurkus Basic Trainer Aircraft". airforce-technology.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  38. ^ Turnbull, Grant [@grantturnbull_] (2019-05-08). "Turkey's new Hurkus-C light attack aircraft was sporting an interesting weapon pylon integration" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-06-11 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Acar, Cemal [@Acemal71] (2019-03-30). "Tübitak SAGE's TOGAN Air Launched 81mm Ballistic/Near Presicion Mortar Weapon was integrated to TAI Hürkuş-C" (Tweet) (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2021-06-11 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Hürkuş and MAM-L at tests | TurDef". turdef.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  41. ^ "HÜRKUŞ- Her yere uçar". Hava Haber (in Turkish). 2018-08-08. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  42. ^ "ASELSAN 2023'te birçok ilke imza attı".
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