Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) yesterday revealed the detailed features of Turkey's national fighter jet, known as the TF-X. The TF-X will reportedly be a twin-engine fighter jet and the impulse of each motor is said to reach 20,000 pounds. The jet will also be able to reach an altitude of 55,000 feet, while its range will be around 600 geographical miles.
The national fighter jet project was initiated to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) for a modern fighter jet. This new model is designed with domestic resources and capabilities and will be able to replace the F-16 aircraft, which are currently in the inventory of the Turkish Air Forces Command. It is thought that these models will be gradually deactivated as of 2030. As a result of the work in low visibility, the presence of a weapon slot, high maneuverability, enhanced situational awareness, sensor fusion and other technologies that should be a part of the new generation aircraft, Turkey will be among the countries that has the infrastructure and technology to produce a fifth generation fighter jet after the U.S., Russia and China. Moreover, it was also reported that the TF-X jets are expected to take their places in the inventory of the TSK until 2070. The jets are planned to serve together with the F-35A jets that are also expected to be included in the inventory of the Turkish Air Forces Command.
Furthermore, it was also said the effects of the performance requirements of the available engines for the engines to be used in the national fighter jets and the solutions for the original or developed engines of the candidate companies were being examined. With the information and performance analyses obtained from the candidate companies, a twin-engine jet configuration has been determined in order to meet the operational requirements of the Air Forces Command. Moreover, HÜRJET is aiming to replace Turkish Air Forces' T-38 aircraft as an Evolution Jet Training Aircraft and to train future fighter pilots. HÜRJET's Light Attack Aircraft model with a 3,000-kilogram payload capacity will be armed to be used not only by Turkey but also by allied countries for close air support, border security and terrorism.
