Turkey conducts first flight test of TAI Hürjet, which will be used to train pilots of fifth-generation F-35 and TAI-TF-X fighters

Late last year, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) rolled the Hürjet out of its hangar. A few months later it flew for the first time.

Here's What We Know

The first test flight took place on April 25, 2023. The jet did not fly alone, but was accompanied by Turkey's fourth generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter. The debut flight lasted 26 minutes before the Hürjet landed.

The Turkish jet is equipped with the F404-GE-102 engine. The propulsion system has a thrust of 79 kG. The aircraft will have a speed of 1715km/h (M=1.4) and a range of over 2200km.

TAI Hürjet will enter service with the Turkish Air Force within two years. TAI intends to produce two jets per month. They will be a replacement for the Northrop F-5 and Northrop T-38 Talon.

The Hürjet will be available in two variants. The training version of the aircraft will be used to train pilots of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, if the US sells them to Turkey, and the TAI-TF-X. TAI will also produce a combat version called Hürjet-C.

Source: SavunmaSanayiST