“Hürkuş” New Era in the Turkish Aviation
Following the completion of manufacturing and assembly studies of the Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft "Hürkuş", which was designed by TAI engineers and manufactured also by several local subcontractors for meeting the trainer aircraft needs of the Turkish Air Force, was rolled out at the ceremony held at TAI’s Kazan premises.
Many distinguished military and civilian officials, amongst whom were the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel, Cabinet Members, Force Commanders, officials from Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, Defence Industry company representatives, officials from Embassies, press members and the family of Vecihi Hürkuş, famed aviation pioneerhonored the roll-out ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, TAI’s Chairman of the Board Yalçın Kayamentioned that the contract for the Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft "Hürkuş" was signed in March 2006 and the design activities were also initiated at this period and said: "Following the successful studies performed by nearly a hundred local and foreign companies, it is now time to initiate ground testsfor the aircraft".
In his speech at the ceremony, the President and CEO of TAI Muharrem Dörtkaşlı stated thatfour aircrafts shall be developed within the program scope for meeting the trainer aircraft needs of the Turkish Air Forceand two of which will be subjected to structural testing."Before its first flight, the ground tests will be conducted for nearly 4-5 months and the other prototype will be subjected to static, metal fatigue and vibration tests in order to prove its load-resistance against all loads to be exposed during its life cycle. Following the successful completion and reporting of tests, the aviation authorities will give its first flight permit and the system and aerodynamic structure of the aircraft will be verified by nearly 500-sortie tests to be made by TAI pilots" said Dörtkaşlı. He also stated that the delivery is planned to be made within 15-16 months and the certification process will be made by local and international aviation authorities. ‘’140 engineers and 70 technicians participated in the manufacturing phase of the aircraft. The team’s average of age is under 30. TAI is the first place of duty and Hürkuş is the first important project for many of them. Nevertheless, they have achieved at this phase within similar period of time compared to their precedents in the world and much cheaper in terms of costs" added Dörtkaşlı.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reminded that TAI had been founded 40 years ago with the framework of "make your own aircraft by yourself" but had not made the expected move until 1980’s, it had initiated licensed manufacturing studies of foreign aircrafts in 1980’s and almost come to a halt following the completion of assembly projects in 2000’s. ‘’We revitalized and restored TAI in 2005; we purchased the foreign shares at TAI and we initiated aviation projects based on national technology one after another. Before we come here, at this ceremony, we witnessed the flights of Anka unmanned air vehicle. Now we have our own unmanned air vehicle. We are very proud to witness the Atak helicopter as it maneuvered, which was manufactured at TAI. Within the next year or so, Turkey will have its own fighter helicopter produced at these facilities. Also, the final efforts are being made in order to send the Göktürk observation satellite into space and we are extremely pleased and proud of this as well" said Erdoğan.
"Our aviation history, which began in 1911 with two imported airplanes, has reached a level where we now manufacture our own planes, helicopters and satellites. Turkey has taken its placeamongst three countries in the world with its Anka aircraft. With its Atak helicopters and Göktürk observation satellite, Turkey is one of a few countries that has achieved this manufacturing. When it comes to ourarmored vehicles and warfare vessels, Turkey has now become a leading country in the world. As of today, Turkey is becoming to the forefront in the world also in aviation field" stated Erdoğan.
Minister Erdoğan also emphasized that TAI has taken its place within the world’s top 100 defence companies this year and Aselsan has been keeping its position within the world’s top 100 defence companies by rising gradually in the last three years. ‘’Turkey has risen steadily in the world with its sound and ambitious defence industry. I congratulate all engineers, technicians, scientists and all directors and personnel of the defence industry companies for their efforts in raising Turkey to this position. We are determined to sustain our vision in the defence industry decisively and will keep on supporting our defence industry" said Erdoğan.
Reminding the last year’s target for Ankara becoming as "the heart of defence and aviation", Minister Erdoğan mentioned that the structuring studies for organized industry zone have been continuing rapidly near TAI at Kazan – Ankara and larger investments are being expected in defence and aviation industry through the enactment of new incentive law. ‘’Following the national fighter aircrafts, helicopters, observation and communication satellites, the projects for passenger aircrafts shall also be initiated at this zone. I hope Turkey will also prove itself at these fields" said Erdoğan. Following the speeches, TurkishPrimary and Basic Trainer Aircraft "Hürkuş" was rolled out. Minister Erdoğan and the accompanied delegation examined Hürkuş and Atak helicopter closely and were informed by the officials.
The First Flight is in 2013
After its roll-out, a long testing period will begin for Hürkuş. 4 prototypes are to be manufactured within the scope of the project and will be subjected to ground tests in order to verify the full functioning of the systems under normal and emergency conditions until the first flight. Besides, the 2-month vibration tests according to the requirements of EASA will apply to the first aircraft. The static second aircraft will be subjected to several tests with the pulley system to be established at TAI premises in order to verify whether or not the top coat of the aircraft has the required strength. The results of tests, which are planned to be completed in the beginning of 2013, will be submitted to EASA and Directorate of Civil Aviation. Following the evaluations to be made, the first flight permit is expected to be granted to Hürkuş in March 2013. The first flight of Hürkuş is expected to be realized as of April 2013. Following the 2-year flight tests, the aircraft will be ready for mass production.
Success of Turkish Engineers
A program for the development of an indigenous basic trainer was first authorized in January 2005, with a development contract being awarded to TAIin March 2006. The contract covered the design and manufacture of four airframes, comprising two flying prototypes and two for static and fatigue tests. A preliminary design review was held in August 2007, and a critical design review was conducted two years later. Designed entirely by Turkish team, 140 engineers and 70 technicians had worked for 6 years. During the project, more than 1 million engineering hours were performed, 4800 design documents and 7250 technical drawings were documented.
Able To Fly Under Speed
Weighing 3.2 tons and having 11 meters length and 3,70 meters height, Hürkuş is equipped with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 Tturbopropaircraft engine (1600 shp) and it pushes Hürkuş along at a 310-knot cruising speed with 5-bladed propeller. Endurance is 4 hours 15 minutes and g limits are +7/-3.5. The stepped cockpit provides excellent fields of view from both cockpits. The front seat offers forward visibility down to 10 degrees below the horizon, while the aft seat has a creditable 5 degrees of forward vision below the horizon. Both cockpits are fitted with Martin-Baker Mk 11BNzero-zero ejection seats.The design is the only aircraft in its class to feature area-extending Fowler flaps.
3 Different Models To Be Developed
As per the Contract, Hürkuş-A has civil type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency and three more models are planned to be manufactured. Except for Type A, which is equipped with commercial avionics and to obtain certification from General Directorate of Civil Aviation / EASA, Type B, to be equipped with military devices and Type C, to be equipped with 1,5 tons of load for close air support are planned to be manufactured.
Özcan Ertem, Executive Vice President and Head of Aircraft Group mentioned that the Coast Guard Command will be able to use these aircrafts for reconnaissance and surveillance missionsand through FLIR cameras to be mounted at the bottom of the aircraft, Hürkuş will also be able to execute reconnaissance missions such as searching over seas, poaching, illegal immigration, sea pollution. Ertem also stated that the planned Type-C model will be the close air support aircraft and can be used at internal security and border security operations and be more cost efficient compared to other aircrafts, and many countries focus on the manufacturing of these types of aircrafts. "As used in Atak helicopter, the national weapon platforms at a total of seven stations can also be used in Hürkuş-C; three at right side, three at left side and one at the center and we also plan to maximize the endurance by locating an inboard fuel tank" said Ertem.Ertem also stated that an investment at an amount of 150 million $ will be made for the development of all models and in mass production phase they expect the order of initially 15 Type-A aircrafts from Turkish Armed Forces in place of K1-T1, which is planned to be purchased additionally.
