Turkey's first "home-grown" helicopter, the T-625, designed and produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TUSAŞ) will be revealed to the public at the 13th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF'17) on May 9-11. The first test drive of the helicopter is scheduled to take place on Sept. 6, 2018, according to Turkish daily Habertürk.The mock-up model of the 12-passenger T-635, including the pilot, will be showcased at the IDEF'17. The helicopter is designed to serve both military and civil needs. It has two engines and a take-off weight of 5 tons.The T-625 will replace the UH-1H helicopters, still used by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), but are about to expire. The helicopter will have the European Aviation Safety Agency certificate for export.HAVELSAN to exhibit ATAK simulators

Additionally, the simulators manufactured for the training of ATAK helicopter pilots will be on show for the first time at IDEF'17. With this product, which combines pilot and shooter simulators, visitors will have one of the most interesting experiences of the fair.HAVELSAN, one of Turkey and Europe's leading simulator producers, continues to manufacture the products needed in order to enhance the skills of the pilots who will train in the ATAK helicopter, and support their trainings with the aid of simulators.Satellite images and 3D models are used in simulators. The system features everything from the electric poles in the surroundings to the land heights in full-size models. Trainings such as getting caught in electric wires, engine failures, et cetera, situations helicopters are most likely expected to get caught in, are experienced repeatedly in simulators. Pilots are trained to overcome similar situations they may face during a flight.HAVELSAN General Manager Ahmet Hamdi Atalay told Anadolu Agency (AA) that HAVELSAN, Turkey's simulator production and excellence center, has developed and used all kinds of simulators for the land, sea and air with domestic and national facilities.Noting that they also have ongoing projects on the domestic ATAK helicopter and will continue to do so, Atalay stressed that the helicopter is not a product by itself and that there is a need for some simulators for the training of pilots, training of repair-maintenance experts and similar needs. Atalay also added that simulators are an important part of ATAK helicopter sales abroad.