Turkish Air Forces Commander General Hasan Aksay: “My expectation for the development of national and original aircraft through the studies of national defense industry companies in a short term has been even more strengthened”.

General Aksay, in his speech at the first prototype aircraft delivery ceremony within the scope of ?im?ek Project at the Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center in Eski?ehir, pointed out that ?im?ek Project was initiated to perform structural cost effective avionics upgrade for 16 F-4Es for safer and more efficient performance of the said crafts.

The structural upgrades and integration studies within ?im?ek Project were carried out by the Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center; the modernization of Navigation and Communication systems and the development of Operational Flight Software were carried out by ASELSAN.

“The use of technological infrastructure and know-how in this project, which were acquired from RF-4E and F4-2020 Modernization Projects is very pleasing said Turkish Air Forces Commander General Hasan Aksay and added:

“New threats necessitate being stronger in the air and space. The national defense industry companies’ taking part in the establishment of a modern air force is admiring. I sincerely congratulate all Air Force Personnel and ASELSAN staff taking roles in the management, control, coordination and implementation fields of the project activities for their accurate and coordinated execution of modernization activities within the scope of ?im?ek Project”.

Reminding the delivery of the modernized RF-4E Reconnaissance and Surveillance Aircrafts last year at the same place within the scope of I?IK Project, Retired Lieutenant General Mehmet Çavdaro?lu - Executive Chairman of the Board of ASELSAN said: “??M?EK Project consists of the avionic and structural modernization of 16 F-4E’s in line with the operational requirements of the Turkish Air Forces. The modernization of F-4E combatant crafts has been the second national craft modernization project, which was carried out by Turkish engineers and technicians”.

“The successful and in-time completion of ??M?EK Project by ASELSAN and Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center through national capabilities has proved the significant progress made in avionic modernization. Our Company has been sustaining its 35-years of experience with young and qualified engineers and technicians. ASELSAN is always ready to fulfill any kind of tasks to be given with the help of its qualified and experienced personnel” added Retired Lieutenant General Mehmet Çavdaro?lu.

Tayfun Fikret Erbilgin, Major General, Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center pointed out that Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center, which has been fulfilling any kind of tasks appointed successfully, will continue to work with its increasing motivation and energy in line with its experience and acquisitions. Erbilgin also added: “These projects have resulted in significant savings in modernization expenditures and granted that the resources remain within the country”.

Following the speeches, Turkish Air Forces Commander General Hasan Aksay delivered the modernized F-4E craft to Lieutenant General Bülent Kocababuç, Command of the 1st Jet Base.

General Hasan Aksay gave plaques to Tayfun Fikret Erbilgin, Major General, Air Forces Command 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center and Retired Lieutenant General Mehmet Çavdaro?lu, Executive Chairman of the Board of ASELSAN for their valuable contributions to the Project.

The flight and task planning capabilities of F4-E crafts were increased and the ability of efficient, uninterruptable and reliable communication was gained through new generation digital communication system within the scope of the contract awarded between ASELSAN and Turkish Air Force in 2006 at an amount of 24 million US$.

GPS embedded LN-100GT Inertial Navigation System of ASELSAN was assembled on the crafts and therefore the navigation systems of the crafts became compatible with the latest technology.

The high fidelity performance of the Flight Management at all weather conditions was ensured with the CDU-900 Control Indicator Unit assembled on the crafts and the Operational Flight Software developed by ASELSAN engineers.

The ability of efficient and reliable communication was gained at the crafts through the assembly of ASELSAN MXF-484 radios allowing encrypted communication at UHF and VHF bands.