Turkish Hurjet Light Attack Jet's Engine Powered for First Time

Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Hürjet trainer and light attack aircraft started its engine for the first time Thursday.

“Now it's time to fly,” Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) head Ismail Demir said in post on his official Twitter account.

TAI aims to produce two Hürjet aircraft each month after 2025.

Temel Kotil, head of TAI, said four prototypes will be built first and then used during the flight tests. “We aim to build 6-7 aircraft in the first year in the mass production phase and to produce tw aircraft per month and 24 aircraft per year starting the next year. After 2025, two Hürjets will leave the hangar and will be delivered to the customer every month,” he said.

The Hürjet is tailored to become a fifth-generation training aircraft. This project was initially kicked off by the TAI in 2017 and is expected to make a maiden flight in 2023.

The aircraft will be equipped with an advanced mission computer in its modern cockpit. It will be supplied with superior radar and sensitive attack systems, and with air and ground communication capabilities.

The Hürjet will be 13.4 meters (43 feet) long with a wingspan of 11 meters and will provide environmental security in offensive operations. Its maximum altitude is set at 45,000 feet (14 kilometers), along with its 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) payload and a maximum speed of Mach 1.2.

This jet will replace Turley’s T-38 trainer aircraft fleet – consisting of 70 aircraft.