An unexpected development took place for the National Combat Aircraft. According to the posts made on social media in the evening today, MMU/TF-X started the engine. We can see that it takes off at the end of the year, according to the calendar that was set 2 years earlier.
National Combat Aircraft started engine earlier than expected!
TAI continues to work for Hürjet and National Combat Aircraft after Hürkuş. A video of the Hürjet prototype, whose assembly process was completed in the past days, was taken out of the hangar and started the engine was shared.
The National Combat Aircraft, on the other hand, would come 2 years behind Hürjet in the normal calendar. However, TUSAŞ general manager Temel Kotil said that the work progressed faster than expected, and that almost all parts, from flight control systems to the engine, from the hydraulics to the landing gear, were integrated without the slightest problem.
However, according to the current calendar shared for MMU, the first flight date seems to be October 2025, but he stated that it will take place at the end of 2023. Today (its visuals and video have not been shared yet), the National Combat Aircraft started the engine.
In the photos we shared above, you can see the difference between the completed body assembly and the design planned for mass production. It is planned to use F-16 (F-110) in the prototype, and domestic engines produced by TEI in mass production. Another detail that attracted attention was that the infrared search and tracking (IRST) sensor was adapted to the 5th generation until its design.
MMU/ TF-X features
- Length: 21 meters
- wingspan: 14 meters
- Height: 6 meters
- Impulse: 2x 29,000 or 2x 32,500 lb (2x F110)
- service ceiling: 55,000+ ft
- Maximum speed: 1.8 Mach
- G limits: +9g / -3.5g
- Avionics:
- ASELSAN’s domestic AESA radar integrated RF system (BURFIS)
- SAR (Synthetic aperture radar system)
- IRST (Infrared seek and track) sensor
- EOTS (Electro-optical targeting system)
- Helmet mounted sight system
- Other:
- High maneuverability and a powerful propulsion system
- supernavigation capability
- Long radius of action
- Low visibility on radar
- Sensor fusion
- Advanced data link capabilities
- Ability to fire high precision ammunition
You can watch the moment of Hürjet leaving the hangar and starting the engine via the link below.
What do you think about this subject? Do you think the National Combat Aircraft will be able to take off in 2023 by following the new calendar? Don’t forget to share your views with us in the comments!