The second prototype of the Turkish Hürjet, manufactured by TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace), stole with new paint colors on November 21, 2024. This aircraft also featured notable airframe and configuration changes. The design changes are more combat-oriented, making them relevant to both the needs of the Turkish Air Force and a crowded and competitive market for advanced trainers and light combat fighters .

The single-engine, two-seat airframe, with tail number TUS-A003, wore light gray and dark gray paint, with angular geometric patterns. The first prototype of the jet has so far been spotted in a red and white color combination. According to Anadolu Agencythis second prototype made its first flight on November 13, in factory primer paint. The jet first flew on April 25, 2023 and has completed 140 test and demonstration sorties so far.

The second prototype “exceeded the speed of sound”, meaning it went supersonic and touched an altitude of 45,000 feet, higher than the first prototype. AA added. He also carried out “various maneuver tests”. On its first flight, it remained in the air for 26 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 200 knots (370 km/h).

Dalgalan sen de şafaklar gibi ey şanlı hilal!

HÜRJET’in ikinci prototipi yeni boyasıyla gökyüzüne havalandı! pic.twitter.com/ZRWbxlBmkH

– Türk Havacılık Uzay Sanayii (@TUSAS_TR) November 21, 2024

Turkish reports cited a statement by TUSAŞ General Director Mehmet Demiroğlu that deliveries are planned by 2026. “After the completion of the maturation stages of HÜRJET, deliveries will begin.” However, reports are unclear whether mass production has begun.

The Hurjet was developed as a supersonic trainer aircraft to replace the T-38M and NF-5A/B 2000 aircraft in the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) fleet by the 2030s. While it is unclear whether mass production has begun, some reports have speculated that it will likely begin in early 2025.

Flight and design changes

The video released by TUSAS shows the new paint being applied in the workshop and the plane exiting the hangar before taking off. It flies with its landing gear extended, while being “chased” by an F-16, before landing. A Pitot tube/air data probe on the nose cone suggests the ongoing testing and development phase, ahead of series production. It’s also interesting to see that the Hurjet features the same vertically opening air brakes on either side of the exhaust nozzle as the F-16.

The three most notable differences between the first and new second prototypes are the intake designs, which on the latter are circular on one side and semi-spherical in shape. It also features wingtip missile ejection mounts and a slightly larger front radome to house what Turkish defense analysis claims is the MURAD AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. The nose is also angled more downward, almost in line with the cockpit canopy.

Export prospects

The design changes mentioned above are intended to support its light attack and possibly point defense missions, a class and role for which it is likely to rival South Korea’s KAI FA-50 in international markets. Defense observers note how the Hurjet offered to the Philippines against the FA-50 Block 20 was in a “disadvantageous” position. Indeed, the PAF (Philippines Air Force) is already a user of the FA-50 and a militarized variant was not available at the time. According to Global Aerospace Newsthe FA-50 and Hurjet use the General Electric F404-GE-102 engine.

Manila should also consider the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk, India’s LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas Mk.1A HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and Italy’s Leonardo M-346FA. Including the Russian Yak-130, of which the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) recently unveiled an armed version, these aircraft will likely remain the Hurjet’s biggest competitors in the class of advanced jet trainer fighters and combat aircraft. light attacks.

As previously reported The AviatorSpain is being actively pursued as a potential first international customer as it seeks to replace its 19 older Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighter aircraft. A Hurjet prototype was sent to Torrejon Air Base, near Madrid, for evaluation in early August.

Yahsi and Vahsi pic.twitter.com/cwDGta3QUB

-Kerem (@KeremHok) November 21, 2024

Turkey today At the time, he added that Madrid had offered to pay for 24 Hurjets through a barter deal, transferring to Turkey six A400M planes that the SASF does not need. Ankara was looking to expand its A400 fleet, which currently numbers 10 aircraft, amid budgetary constraints. Egypt is another potential buyer, since the Hurjet was presented there at an air show in September.

This is the beauty of a modern LCA and AJT jet. Hürjet, Turkey’s first manned supersonic fighter jet, won everyone over with its aerodynamic aesthetics in its second prototype. New camouflage paint reflects the true identity of this aircraft pic.twitter.com/2D0ado8bLt

– Tr_tech (@T_Nblty) November 22, 2024

At the Paris Air Show in 2023, Mehmet Kotil, CEO of TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries) said There is a total market for 400 Hurjets over the next two decades, of which 100 will go to the Turkish Air Force and 300 to export customers by the 2030s. The Turkish Air Force has So far ordered 17 Hurjet trainers, the majority of which are in Block 0 configuration and the remainder being Block 1s.