The Presidency of Defense Industries continues its work on aircraft without slowing down. According to a news shared today, the F-16 (F110) engine to be used in 3 prototypes to be developed before the National Combat Aircraft enters mass production has been delivered.
6 F-16 (F110) engines have been delivered for the National Combat Aircraft!
The USA delivered the expected engine for the National Combat Aircraft to TAI. Currently, it is stated that the production of the structural parts of this jet has been completed to a large extent. It is said that the production of the first prototype will start in the coming days.
Founded by Thomas Edison many years ago, General Electric is among the most respected jet engine manufacturers today. So much so that General Dynamics used General Electric’s F110 engines in its F-16 aircraft, of which Turkey is among its users.
The National Combat Aircraft will have the same power as the F-22, which the USA did not give to anyone!
TEI General Manager Prof. Dr. Mahmut Faruk Akşit said in a speech that the MMU (National Combat Aircraft) could have the strength of the F-22.
As a matter of fact, we see that this is a very correct choice. Because it has been continuing its production with the developments made without the need for alternatives for 40 years. TAI, on the other hand, will produce its first prototypes on the MMU with this engine, which it is accustomed to from F-16s.
Of course, since this engine will be used in only 3 prototypes, 6 were ordered. However, TAI’s main plan is to produce a jet between the F-35 and the F-22. Therefore, it was said that in the future, an engine that will produce the same power as the Pratt & Whitney F119 (F119-PW-100 variant) engine used in the F-22, that is, with a thrust of 35,000 pounds, will be developed.
However, the first produced prototype is expected to leave the hangar in 2023. Engine tests will then begin. The first flight with the F110 engine will take place in 2025. After this phase, if all the tests are positive, it can be put into mass production in a few months.
The domestic jet engine to be developed by TEI will probably pass into the prototype production process during this process. However, it will take between 5 and 10 years to be mounted on the MMU, completed the tests and then put into mass production. Of course, it should be noted that these are normal, even quite optimistic periods.
However, TEI has a very high self-confidence in this regard. In fact, it aims to deliver the engine developed for Gökbey and ATAK helicopters such as TS 1400, about 1 year earlier than expected, at the end of 2022. Therefore, we may see jet planes with domestic engines in the air before 2030.
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