HÜRJET Concept Design Revealed by TAI
TAI, one of the affiliate companies of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV), gathered with visitors around Turkey for the 30th anniversary of the Foundation’s establishment. The event consists of two groups, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, approximately 500 visitors attended the tour. At the beginning of the tour, the visitors and the Foundation donators were informed about the projects conducted by the company. Expressing his satisfaction and welcoming the visitors prior to the factory visit, TAI President & CEO, Temel Kotil, Ph.D, shared the future projects and goals of the company with the visitors.
Following the presentation, visitors toured the factory which was TAI’s first factory and currently is the main production facility for aircraft structures. They then visited the “Anka” Unmanned Air Vehicles and the production line of the “Atak” helicopters, visitors gathered at the platform where “Hürkuş”, “Atak”, “Anka” and satellite systems were demonstrated.
In his introductory presentation for the visitors, TAI President & CEO, Temel Kotil, Ph.D, conveyed brief information on the SmallGEO – the Satellite Project , the Twin-Engine UAV Project and the New Generation Trainer Jet “HÜRJET” Project which was initiated by TAI in the recently. Stating that “We started from scratch and we will accomplish it” in reference to SmallGEO, Kotil, Ph. D added: “It will be a uniquely designed project which will be entirely launched by TAI. We will develop the SmallGEO communication satellite up to 1 ton as part of this project and it will be used commercially. We will aim to complete the program within a two years period. We rely on the fact that the satellites to be manufactured in this class will be able to fulfill the requirement of TÜRKSAT considering this area while being requested on a global scale.
HÜRJET Program Introduced to the Public
Extending information to the public for the first time on the activities conducted within the scope of HÜRJET Jet Training and Close Air Support Aircraft Project, Kotil, Ph.D said: “Upon the approval of the Executive Board, we have launched the preliminary studies with the budget allocated for this development program. We predict at least a 6-month PDR process (Preliminary Design Review). Upon the completion of the preliminary studies of this program, we expect our government to place its orders”.
The “HÜRJET” Jet Training Aircraft is expected to be replaced the Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft T-38.
Moreover, the Light Attack Aircraft configuration of HÜRJET with a 3000-kg payload capacity could be armed in order to be utilized in tasks such as light attack, close air support, border security and counter terrorism activities.
HÜRJET is planned to be designed in a way to conduct its tasks in a 1.2 Mach maximum velocity and a 45.000 ft. maximum altitude and to be equipped with advanced task and flight systems.
TAI has Revealed Twin-Engine New UAV Concept
Stating that the serial production activities within the scope of the Anka-S Program also continue, Kotil,Ph.D, added that they launched the activities over the new configuration capable of carrying a 700 kg payload in addition to the existing configuration that is able to carry a 200 kg payload.
Following this announcement at the Public Facility Tour day, the details regarding the Twin-Engine UAV became clarified as well. Speaking to Correspondent Mehmet Kaya from Dünya Newspaper on 9th October, expressing that they launched an activity with TAI’s own resources for the twin-engine UAV with TEI’s uniquely designed PD-170 engine, Temel Kotil, Ph.D, added: “By transferring the acquirements that we attained from the “Anka-S” program, we aim to swiftly accomplish this program. The twin-engine UAV will likely have a different name. We will utilize TEI’s PD-170 engine in this platform as well. TEI has accomplished the engine and the delivery ceremony will be held with the participation of our Minister of Defense. We will be able to utilize various critical payloads such as SATCOM and Synthetic Aperture Radar in company with the enhanced payload capacity.
In addition, Mr. Kotil,Ph.D noted that they re-designed ANKA’s wings and said that they were going to commence the manufacturing the new wings and were planning to complete this activity within a year.
