TAI HÜRKUŞ-2 New Generation Trainer Aircraft Successfully Completes First Test Flight
In the last days of 2024, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) conducted the first flight of the HÜRKUŞ-2 New Generation Trainer Aircraft. During the test flight, the HÜRKUŞ-2 reached an altitude of 6,500 feet, reached a speed of 140 knots, and remained in the air for approximately 20 minutes, demonstrating a successful performance.
Commenting on the development on his official social media account, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of Defence Industries, made the following statements:
“Watching the first flight of the HÜRKUŞ, which will be delivered to our Air Force, is a moment of indescribable pride and meaning. “I sincerely congratulate all stakeholders involved in the project, especially Turkish Aerospace and our presidency, and honor the memory of our fallen heroes with gratitude.”
In his statement, Prof. Dr. Görgün also announced that the first HÜRKUŞ-2 aircraft would be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 2025, followed by 14 additional aircraft within the same year. The contract signed between TAI and the Presidency of Defense Industry in 2016 and 2024 includes 55 Hürkuş-2 aircraft, and the delivery of the remaining 40 aircraft is expected to be completed by 2027.
The Hürkuş is a two-seat, low-wing, single-engine turboprop aircraft developed by TAI as part of the “Turkish Initial and Basic Trainer Aircraft Development Contract” launched in 2013 to meet the Turkish Air Force’s training aircraft requirement. Named after Vecihi Hürkuş, a veteran of World War I and the Turkish War of Independence and the first Turkish aircraft manufacturer, the aircraft is available in three versions. The Hürkuş-A is the basic version available to non-military customers, while the Hürkuş-2 is a more advanced model with more advanced avionics. The Hürkuş-C is the armed version capable of providing close air support and has so far been exported to three countries – Niger, Libya, and Chad.
Hürkuş measures 3.70 meters in height, 11.17 meters in length, and 10.91 meters in wingspan. The aircraft has a 1,605-foot (489-meter) takeoff distance, a 1945-foot (593-meter) descent distance, a maximum climb speed of 4,370 feet per minute (22 meters per second), and a top speed of 574 kph. According to tests that were performed, Hürkuş’s longest possible flight time is 4 hours and 15 minutes.
The armed version of the aircraft can carry eight Cirit missiles, two 12.7mm machine guns, and Roketsan’s long-range air-to-surface anti-tank UMTAS missile. Efforts are underway to enable Hürkuş to utilize the precision and winged guidance kits developed by TÜBİTAK/SAGE and the laser-guided missile Mızrak from Roketsan.
In addition to the Hürkuş basic trainer aircraft, TAI is also continuing the development activities of the Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft Hürjet. In January 2022, the Defense Industry Executive Committee decided on mass production for the HÜRJET. Accordingly, the SSB ordered 16 HÜRJETs for the Turkish Air Force in the first phase, with the delivery of the first aircraft scheduled for 2026. Soon, Spain is also expected to replace its old Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighter fleet, which has been serving as an advanced pilot training aircraft for more than fifty years, with the Hürjet.