The domestic warplane Hürjet, developed by TAI, met the sky for the first time.
Domestic jet-powered aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and expected to start a new era in the defense industry.Hürjet successfully performed its first flight today.
Hürjet, a training light attack aircraft, successfully landed after its first meeting with the sky. Hürjet’s flight is also the most powerful aircraft in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force. Accompanied by the F-16.
Moments when Hürjet took off with the F-16:
Joy on earth:
Why is Hürjet’s landing gear open?
The shared images also caused some controversy about why the landing gear was open during the test flight. However, this situation is not unique to Hürjet. Regardless of who produced it The first test flight of each aircraft is performed with the landing gear open.
There is a fundamental reason for this. Test flights of airplanes are carried out in very small steps. The first test flight also means the plane’s first take off from the ground. Therefore, the aircraft is being tested in its initial take-off configuration.
In the following tests, the speed is increased and the altitude is increased. The landing gear only begins to close when the required conditions are approached. Ultimately, its capabilities with the landing gear closed begin to be measured. In the next tests, maneuvering capabilities and scientific system tests are continued.
What will be the role of Hürjet for Türkiye?
Hürjet with a single jet engine is used within the scope of Jet Evolvement training. T-38 aircraft and used in acrotim performances F-5 aircraft expected to take its place. The design, production, qualification and certification activities of the new generation jet trainer have not been completed yet.
Completion of Hürjet’s project certification activities by the end of 2025 and jet trainer variant expected to be made available.
Hürjet, based in the USA General Electric F404 is using the engine. This engine has also been used in warplanes such as the F-117 Nighthawk, F/A-18 Hornet, F-20 Tigershark and T-50 Golden Eagle.