Turkey develops design of first indigenous jet
Date
1/26/2016 12:51:57 AM
(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Turkey’s leading aerospace company TUSA Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has drafted three conceptual designs for the TF-X Project of the procurement agency Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM). Burak Ege Bekdil from DefenseNews reported on Saturday that TAI expects to finalize a deal on the realization of the Project by mid-2016.
The contract negotiations between TAI and SSM began after a Defense Industry Executive Committee decision on December 15 2010; and a contract was signed on August 23 2011. According to the deal TAI has been asked to conduct research in the following areas:
The Turkish Air Force’s future operational requirements Requirement analysis studies Conceptual design of the aircraft and systems National capacity and capabilities International corporation models
For the past two years TAI sought specific answers to the inquiries and uncertainties regarding the cases above.
The company has recently proposed three design options which include both single-engine and twin-engine models. TAI’s General Manager Muharrem Dörtkal said “The choice over the engine will be key to finalizing the decision on the design concept” adding “All three of the chosen model options are good enough to meet the operational requirements of the end user.”
The ultimate goal is to produce a Jet Trainer and Fighter Aircraft that can respond to the requirements of the Turkish Air Force in the 2020s with maximum participation of local industry.
Turkey is also one of the participants of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II project. Many Turkish companies including Roketsan Havelsan Alp Aviation and Ayesas have supported the development and/or production of the aircraft. TAI has been an especially strategic partner since 2008 mainly supplying the production hardware of every F-35 being manufactured.
TAI hopes to draw on its experience in the F-16 and F-35 production programs to develop the next-generation fighter jet for the Turkish Air Force.
Turkey plans to buy 100 units of the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing Variant which are expected to replace all of Turkey’s aging F-4E 2020 Terminator squadrons. Turkey will also purchase 16 additional F-35B variants to equip its Navy’s TCG Levent LPD amphibious warship.
With the final delivery of all F-35s and national fighter jets the strategic outlook of the Turkish Air Force and the military will completely change towards the mid-2020s honoring the centennial of the Turkish Republic.
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