TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industry) Chairman and General Manager Prof. Dr. Mahmut Faruk Akşit said during a speech that the engine production capacity of the company has reached world standards. Moreover, he stated that they would be able to build an engine at F-22 standards for the highly anticipated MMU (National Combat Aircraft).
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TEI can make an engine with the power of F-22 for the National Combat Aircraft!
After the Cyprus Peace Operation, Turkey laid the foundation of its own domestic and national projects due to the US and European embargoes. Especially in the last 20 years, our companies such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN and TUSAŞ have made their mark among the world’s leading Defense Industry giants.
But these embargoes have been reduced over time and many have been lifted. However, the USA started an embargo process again by confiscating 6 F-35 jets, which it had handed over, on the pretext of Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 (medium-range air and missile defense system) from Russia.
After that, the domestic warplane project, which was wanted to be done for a long time, but was constantly shelved due to lack of technology, became the agenda once again. TUSAŞ, determined to make the MMU this time, decided to combine the experience gained from Hürjet, F-16, F-4 and dozens of other vehicles.
While a jet plan was made to replace the F-16s at the beginning, as a result of the technology we have and our country’s self-development in the defense industry, an aircraft close to the F-35 quality began to be targeted.
In fact, İsmail Demir, President of Defense Industries, and Temel Kotil, General Manager of TUSAŞ, frequently expressed their perspectives on the MMU project in their television programs. Both said that this aircraft will not only replace the F-16, but will also have a quality and capabilities between the F-35 and the F-22.
Of course, since TUSAŞ and other domestic companies have been producing and repairing parts for many aircraft in the TAF inventory for many years, they seem confident in this regard. But the engine issue has always been an issue that prevented Turkey from taking a step.
In fact, from our aircraft such as Hürjet and Hürkuş to our SİHAs and ATAK helicopters, they all used either foreign or co-produced engines. But this situation is now starting to change. Many companies from KALE to TEI started to produce alternative and domestic engines to be used in these vehicles.
Now, TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industry) Chairman and General Manager Prof. Dr. Mahmut Faruk Akşit said that they can develop an engine that can 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. Of course, let’s mention that there will be 2 of these on the jet.
Of course, these types of projects can be done in at least 5 to 15 years rather than a year or two. Therefore, as expected, if the MMU leaves the hangar in 2023-24 and makes its first flight in 2025 and enters service between 2028-30, foreign engines will have to be used here.
However, since this aircraft will remain in the inventory until the 2070s, we anticipate that there will be many advanced variants, including the domestic engine versions mentioned by TEI General Manager. In addition, if this achievement is achieved, it can be used in many other manned and unmanned aerial vehicles as well as dual use as in the MMU.
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