Countdown for the Selection in T-FX Programme
Turkey proceeds determinedly within the scope of the development of the TFX program launched for fulfilling the country’s demands for the Indigenous Fighter Jet Aircraft through national resources and replace the F-16s taking place in Turkish Air Forces Command’s inventory in 2020s.
The Conceptual Design Phase of the Programme was completed in 2013 and moving onto the Critical Design Phase was decided at the first Defence Industry Executive Committee meeting of 2015 and with this programme, Turkey welcomed a new period.
During the Conceptual Design Phase that is the first phase of the programme launched in 2011, initially the analysis of the long range operation concept prepared by the Air Forces Command and its requirements, concept identification of the air vehicle and its system/sub-systems, researching their feasibility through national resources and capabilities and detailed analysis of the international cooperation models were conducted by the Project team composed of the experts from the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, Air Forces Command and TAI. With the workshops organized in this regard, the existing domestic capabilities were examined and various negotiations were held with the companies. Besides, with the domestic resources, the foreign technical support was identified and three different models composed of one single-engine model and two twin-engine models that cover approximately 1000 operational requirements of the Air Forces Command were created. The verification of these drawings made by TAI engineers was accomplished by the technical consultancy provided by SAAB Company.
The engine to be selected within 2015
Following the completion of the Conceptual Design Phase in 2013, upon Defence Industry Executive Committee’s resolution of January 2015, the second phase that is the critical design phase has been launched. In this phase, which of the three models identified during the Conceptual Design Phase will be utilized with which motor alternative will be determined.
During the press information meeting at the IDEF’ 15 fair, TAI Integrated Aircraft Group Head Özcan Ertem stated that the activities regarding the critical design phase arrived at a certain point and said, “In the upcoming period, a selection will be made regarding the single or twin-engine alternatives. A partnership with a foreign company is at the agenda. In the selection of the foreign company, our government will have a prevailing option. Following the decisions, we expect the signing of the contract concerning the next period. The final objective of TAI, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries and our Air Forces Command is to complete the signing of the contract within this year”.
Stating that as TAI, they were assessing all the alternatives Ertem said, “Regarding the systems to be installed within the aircrafts, all the systems’ volumes, weights, and their electric load, their cooling and heating capacity requirements were evaluated in design level. The power supplied by these engines, their heating-cooling capacity and system requirements were overlapped. The fuel requirements arising from operational requirements and their installment within the aircraft in sufficient volumes were assessed. All the systems and appropriate amounts of volumes and weights regarding the systems embedded in the model configurations determined during the Conceptual Design were planned. Presently, we know and we are able to estimate all aircrafts’ weights. In line with the directive of the Air Forces Command and the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries’ regarding the selection of the motor, we are currently preparing a programme that simulates the prototype aircrafts’ flight with a ready-engine. Our task is to prepare the identified models for flight with the selected engines”.
Conveying information regarding the programme schedule and phases of the program Ertem said, “We have a long period ahead of us. The studies concerning the preparation of the programme schedule are continuing. According to the programme schedule, firstly the clean flights will be accomplished by these aircrafts. Subsequently, our aircrafts will be equipped with the weapon systems requested by our Air Forces Command and initial operation capability. At the final phase, inclusion of the full operational capability in order to allow the aircrafts to carry all the weaponry is planned. Following the installment of the initial operation capability, the advance orders are aimed similar to the F-35 programme”.
Within the scope of the programme, the development process is aimed to be completed by 2023 and the first flight is expected to take place between years 2023 – 2025. During the ten-year period following the transition to Full Operational Capability, manufacturing of all aircrafts and their inclusion into the inventory will be accomplished. Turkish Indigenous Battle Combat Aircraft is planned to remain at the Turkish Air Forces inventory for 30 years.
