HÜRKUŞ reaches approximately 5,000 hours in the sky

The New Generation Primary Training Aircraft HÜRKUŞ, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries, made its first flight eleven years ago today. During the time elapsed, many national equipment and ammunition were integrated into HÜRKUŞ. In addition to the armed and unarmed versions of HÜRKUŞ, solutions for different missions were developed. Named after the pioneering figure of Turkish aviation history, Vecihi Hürkuş, HÜRKUŞ opened the door to subsequent national platforms. The steps taken with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles in the adventure that started with HÜRKUŞ reached its peak with the National Combat Aircraft KAAN. HÜRKUŞ has reached approximately 5,000 hours in test, training, and mission flights. HÜRKUŞ gained significant capabilities during this period and achieved export successes. Turkish Aerospace Industries developed the new generation advanced training and light attack aircraft HÜRKUŞ to be used at all stages of basic, evolution flight training, and combat pilot combat readiness training in challenging operations. Work concentrated initially on the training aircraft variant was complemented by activities for the light attack and armed reconnaissance variant. The armed variant, named HÜRKUŞ-C, had various ammunition and equipment integrated, and successful flight and firing tests were conducted. HÜRKUŞ-C, which attracted attention abroad, achieved export successes to African countries. The company also developed the HÜRKUŞ Air Ground Integration Aircraft variant for use in Combat Fire Support Team and advanced air controller training activities of the Air Force Command. Turkish Aerospace Industries has been conducting the HÜRKUŞ 2 Project for a while with the capabilities developed in the HÜRKUŞ Program. Within the project, which includes significant improvement activities, the production of HÜRKUŞ 2 continues. The delivery of a more advanced basic training aircraft than the current aircraft to the Air Force Command is aimed for 2025. The production of HÜRKUŞ 2, with part production and aircraft on-board equipment installation ongoing, is largely completed, and it is expected to make its first flight soon. With the Turkish Air Force meeting the demands from abroad for HÜRKUŞ-C in a way, 15 aircraft were exported to African countries with urgent needs. It is aimed to introduce 55 more advanced HÜRKUŞ 2 to the Turkish Air Force 122nd Basic Jet Flight Training Fleet by Turkish Aerospace Industries. Considering current and long-term domestic and international needs, it is expected that armed HÜRKUŞ will reach very high sales figures.