Page 31 - ADT MARCH 2021 Online Magazine

First Flight of Hurjet, and Malaysia developed under the T625 Utility Helicopter
Programme
Turkish Aerospace also plans to conduct the first flight of its operational experience and achievements
Advanced Jet Trainer and Light Attack Aircraft HÜRJET on March gained through the T129 ATAK Helicopter
18, 2023. The single engine aircraft with tandem-seat and modern Project.
avionics will fulfil a critical role in modern pilot training through its
superior performance characteristics, Kutlucan said. The combat “HEAVY DUTY ATTACK HELICOPTER,
variant provides a battlefield force multiplier through a wide range WILL BE A COMBAT HELICOPTER
of mission capabilities and an extensive payload. “Hurjet aims to THAT CAN SUCCESSFULLY
replace ageing T-38s as Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) and F-5s as PERFORM ITS MISSIONS IN
Acrobatic Team Aircraft of the TuAF,” he said. Though originally Project as well as the technological know-how, [ INTERVIEW TURKISH AEROSPACE ]
designed as a jet trainer, the single-engine, tandem-seat jet will HARSH GEOGRAPHICAL AND
also be equipped with modern avionics and high-performance ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS,
components to conduct combat missions. WHICH WILL HAVE INCREASED
PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND MODERN
Designed with the goal of 5th-generation training aircraft, Hurjet
will be equipped with an advanced mission computer in its modern AVIONIC SYSTEMS ALONGSIDE
cockpit. The aircraft will be equipped with state-of-the-art Human WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE AND
Machine Interface (HMI) with minimum conversion time to F-35 and LOW MAINTENANCE COST,” the TA
Turkish Fighter. The aircraft will be supplied with superior radar and official said.
sensitive attack systems, and with air and ground communication
capabilities, it will reduce threats and risks. Hurjet will be 44.6-feet- The helicopter is designed indigenously to
long with a wingspan of 31 feet and a payload capacity of 2,721 kg. operate day and night in all environment and
weather conditions with an increased payload
Considering the multirole aircraft market, Turkish Aerospace has capacity of 1,200 kg excluding launchers. The
started the Hurjet programme with the intention of targeting the 10-plus ton class helicopter will feature asym-
potential in the market with its “cost effective design and produc- metric weapon loading and state of the art
tion of trainer/light aircraft/system.” The company hopes to start glass cockpit. It can carry high-caliber guns,
serial production of the aircraft in 2025, “based on the success of new generation rockets, long-range anti-tank
the performance of the initial units.” TA has offered the Hurjet to missiles, air-to-air missile systems and laser
Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) for its requirement of 18 light weapons. The heavy class helicopter can
combat aircraft (LCA). Turkey is pursuing the sale of the jet trainer be used for air-to-ground combat, air-to-air
with the possibility of local production. “We expect Malaysia to be combat, armed reconnaissance and surveil-
our first export customer,” he exuded confidence. lance, close air support (CAS), armed escort
or joint offensive operations.
Malaysia Facility The company claims that the helicopter,
Last November, Turkish Aerospace built its first engineering and which will be developed with the Heavy Class
design office in Malaysia’s Putrajaya city, the first in Southeast Asia, Attack Helicopter Project Contract signed
as part of its efforts to collaborate on various platforms including between the SSB and TA, will have approxi-
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and to further solidify its pres- mately twice the take-off weight of the current
ence in Malaysia. “The new facility initially has provision for 20 ATAK helicopter. The T929, or ATAK-II will be
engineers, who will be imparted training in designing. We are ready powered by 2500 hp engines from Ukraine.
to collaborate on a range of projects, including UAVs, jet trainers,
helicopter projects, and global aviation ecosystem modernisation
programmes," he added. The company, he said, is also open to
technology transfer as well as local production of components
and spare parts. “Whether we win the contract or not, some of the
Hürjet electronics will be built in Malaysia as we would still need
that equipment,” he added.

Multirole Heavy Combat Helicopter or ATAK
2
Another milestone in March 2023 will be first flight of the Multirole
Heavy Combat Helicopter or ATAK 2 that will further increase
combat capabilities of the Turkish defence forces. Conceived as
a combination of T129 ATAK and T625, the ATAK 2 is using the
sub-systems such as transmission, rotor systems and landing gears

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY March 2022 | 31