The Turkish defense aviation and aerospace industry offer high-technology and cost-efficient solutions in compliance with NATO standards to armies in the world, notably the Turkish Air Force, in need of various types of air platforms. The Turkish aerospace industry, which aims to prove the peak of its capabilities with the TF-X multi-role aircraft, has a vast product portfolio including fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.
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Turkish defense industry and aerospace have developed and designed a wide range of combat aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.
Today, the Turkish defense aviation industry is one of the prominent players in the world in Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). The industry actively takes part in air vehicle modernization programs of all countries as well as those of the Turkish Air Force using indigenous platforms and systems. In addition to main platforms, the Turkish defense aviation industry also invests in space research and builds its strategic structure accordingly. As such, the Turkish defense aerospace industry constantly improves its production infrastructure and experience in aviation and space, while also making necessary investments before public and private sector representatives.
Some of the products fully designed and manufactured by the Turkish Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry:
Hürjet advanced trainer and light combat aircraft (Picture source Wikimedia)
Hürjet
The Hürjet is a new single-engine, tandem seat, supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The project was started by TAI in August 2017 using its own financial resources. A mock-up was displayed at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow
Combat Variant of HÜRJET provides a battlefield force multiplier through a wide range of mission capabilities and its extensive payload.
TF-X TAI fighter aircraft mockup at Paris AirShow (Picture source Wikimedia)
TF-X fighter aircraft
The TF-X is a proposed stealth twin-engine all-weather air superiority fighter being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in collaboration with BAE Systems. The aircraft is planned to replace F-16 Fighting Falcons of the Turkish Air Force and to be exported to foreign air forces. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense said the TF-X would make its first flight by 2023.
Turkish Fighter TF-X is a 5+ Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft, provides significant capabilities in both, air to surface and air to air combat Requirements. Turkish Aerospace’s survivable, strong and agile platform Turkish Fighter is a fully aware warrior, with intelligent and strong combat capabilities.
Bayraktar TB2 Tactical UAS Unmanned Aerial System (Picture source Wikimedia)
Bayraktar UAS
The Bayraktar Tactical UAS or Bayraktar TB1 is a surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) initially developed for the Turkish Armed Forces. It is developed by the Kale-Baykar, a joint venture between the Kale Group and Baykar Technologies.
In 2014, Bayraktar held the national endurance and altitude record for Turkey's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). It set a record for autonomous flight endurance when it flew 24 hours and 34 minutes at 18,000 feet on 5 August 2014. It furthermore recorded the highest altitude of 27,030 feet on its flight on 14 June 2014 with a full payload.
While the Turkish Armed Forces describe Bayraktar as a "Tactical UAV Class" to prevent it from being a competitor to the TAI Anka UAV, international standards would classify it as a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV. With its 650 kg MTOW and 12 meters wingspan platform powered by an internal combustion engine, Bayraktar is capable of flying at 22,500 feet and loitering for more than 24 hours.
The Armed Bayraktar Tactical Unmanned Aerial System is a medium-altitude, long-endurance class UAS purposed for reconnaissance operations. With its triple-redundant avionics systems and sensor fusion architecture, it is capable of fully autonomous taxi, take off, cruise, landing. The Armed Bayraktar is further capable of delivering up to 4 smart munitions and precise targetting is available by onboard laser designation. Bayraktar is an all-in-one solution with the immediate see-and-hit capability to ensure no collateral damage.
The Armed Bayraktar TB2 provides armed reconnaissance, persistent airborne surveillance, and target acquisition for the Turkish Armed Forces. The TB2 can carry up to 4 smart munitions.
T129 ATAK TAI all-weather multi-role attack helicopter. (Picture source Wikimedia)
T129 ATAK helicopter
The T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform jointly developed and manufactured by TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries )and AgustaWestland from Italy.
The T129 ATAK Multirole Combat Helicopter has been optimized for specific hot and high-performance requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces. A tandem-seat, twin-engine, NATO-interoperable attack helicopter optimized for attacks, armed reconnaissance, precision strike and deep strike missions, at day and night all environments and regardless of weather conditions.
ANKA advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance MALE UAV (Picture source Turkish MoD)
Anka UAV
The ANKA is an advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class Unmanned Aerial System designed to perform day and night, all-weather reconnaissance, target detection / identification and intelligence missions with its EO/IR and SAR payloads, featuring autonomous flight capability including Automatic Take-off and Landing.
The ANKA incorporates a heavy-fuel engine and electro-expulsive Ice Protection System with an Advanced Ground Control Station and dual data-link allowing operational security and ease. ANKA, which has taken its rightful place in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory, has accumulated more than 15.000 flight hours in different geographical locations and demanding environmental conditions
T625 Gökbey twin-engine light transport/utility helicopter (Picture source Wikimedia)
T625 Gokbey Helicopter
The T625 Gökbey is a twin-engine light transport/utility helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries plans to offer the new platform to the Turkish Armed Forces and cooperating nations.
Turkish Aerospace Industries launched preliminary design studies in 2010. The project commenced in 2013 when Undersecretariat for Defense Industries signed a contract with the Turkish Aerospace Industries to develop a 6-ton class multi-role helicopter for land operations.
The T625 GÖKBEY is designed for superior performance and handling qualities with state-of-the-art avionics, keeping in mind not only today’s requirements but also the helicopters of future operations. With its large cabin space extensive payload capacity, GÖKBEY can be easily adapted to perform various types of different mission profiles for civilian and military operators all over the world.
The T625 is expected to weigh 5 tones and is in the interim powered by two LHTEC CTS800 engines. The CTS800 was chosen due to its commonality with the TAI/AgustaWestland T129. It features a four-axis dual redundant automatic flight control system, along with an ASELSAN glass cockpit with two wide touchscreens Integrated Mission Displays (8x20 inches) and two touchscreen data entry Touch Command Control Units (8x10 inches).
Kargu small portable rotary-wing kamikaze drone (Picture source STM)
Kargu UAV
The Kargu is a small portable rotary-wing kamikaze drone produced by STM in Turkey that has been designed for asymmetric warfare or counter-insurgency
The KARGU is a multi-rotor UAV solution engineered for anti-terror and asymmetric warfare scenarios. Due to its portability, it can be deployed and operated by single personnel. The System performs high-precision surveillance and reconnaissance missions (autonomous or manual modes) to neutralize threats within a tactical range of 5 km.
The KARGU facilitates its autonomy through sophisticated computer vision and deep learning algorithms, such as tracking, detection and classification of static/moving targets (i.e. vehicle, person etc.).
Hurkus single-engine turboprop light trained aircraft (Picture Turkish Defense Industry SSB)
Hurkus light aircraft
HÜRKUŞ, tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine, turboprop aircraft, is designed to ensure superior performance as a new generation advanced trainer aircraft and light attack & armed reconnaissance combat aircraft, in order to fulfill the complete training gap between elementary training and fighter aircraft conversion, as well as satisfying close air support roles in the most demanding operational theatres.
HÜRKUŞ advanced trainer aircraft is purpose-designed as per contemporary global military trainer aircraft requirements. Featuring a next-generation glass cockpit, unique high tandem seating configuration, best in class pilot view, on board oxygen generating system and a high-performance engine, HÜRKUŞ provides a cost-effective solution for the requirements of the most demanding missions.
Hurkus-C light attack aircarft (Picture Turkish Defense Industry SSB)
Hurkus-C
HÜRKUŞ, tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine, turboprop aircraft, is designed to ensure superior performance as a new generation advanced trainer aircraft and light attack & armed reconnaissance combat aircraft, in order to fulfill the complete training gap between elementary training and fighter aircraft conversion, as well as satisfying close air support roles in most demanding operational theatres.
Precise and Affordable All-In-One Multiple Mission Solution HÜRKUŞ-C, Light attack and armed reconnaissance combat variant, provides a cost-effective flexible solution against asymmetric threats of the contemporary world’s warfare theatres. Retaining the advanced capabilities of HÜRKUS, up-to 7 external hardpoints on HÜRKUS-C provides its operators an extensive payload capacity up-to 1,500 kg, which can be utilized to perform demanding missions, during the day and night conditions in high altitudes and harsh geographies.
Akıncı high-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle. (Picture source Turkish Defense Industry SSB)
Akinci UAV
The Bayraktar Akıncı is a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle currently under development with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Makina.
Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System has a 40,000 feet service ceiling and 4.5 tons of take-off weight. The aircraft platform will be equipped with two turboprop engines and critical payloads such as EO/IR camera, AESA radar, Beyond Line of Sight (satellite) communication and electronic support systems, enabling a longer endurance and advanced reconnaissance and attack capability. Longer and wider than its predecessor Bayraktar TB2, Akıncı has a wingspan of 20 meters with its unique bended design and will be able to fire multiple smart munitions.
With its proprietary artificial intelligence system, the system will be also much smarter and aware of its operating environment, offering improved flight and diagnostic functions.
