The Hürkus-B is one of three variants of the aircraft
that should be ready for fielding later this year. (TAI)
Gareth Jennings, London -
Jane's Defence Weekly
30 January 2018
The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Hürkus-B turboprop
trainer aircraft made its maiden flight on 30 January.
The twin-seat aircraft, which is already earmarked to
enter service with the Turkish Air Force, performed the milestone out of TAI’s
production facility near Ankara. As noted by TAI, the Hürkus-B will perform
about 90 hours of flight trials before being inducted into the air force.
The Hürkus-B features all of the attributes normally
associated with this class of trainer aircraft – tandem seating, a modern
‘glass’ cockpit (that in this instance includes the BAE Systems LiteHUD)
zero-zero ejection seats, pressurised cockpits, and anti- g and oxygen systems.
Turkey is planning to produce three versions of the
aircraft: the civil Hürkus-A; the military-trainer Hürkus-B and the armed
Hürkus-C. All three variants are expected to be ready later in 2018.
For the Turkish Air Force, the Hürkus-B will replace the
incumbent SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 in the primary trainer role. Currently, 15
aircraft are under contract with TAI although up to 40 more may follow to
support the multinational training centre at Izmir. The Turkish Air Force
expected to field the Hürkus-B in conjunction with its Northrop T-38 Talon jet
trainer platform.
Original post: janes.com
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