The Story of TAI Hurkus

The Turkish state continues its efforts to become a more self-sufficient world military power through a growing military-industrial complex and welcomes its new, indigenously designed and developed TAI "Hurkus", the Turkish Air Force. The aircraft grew out of an Air Force requirement for 15 such platforms, and in December 2006, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was awarded a development contract. In April 2009, the final design was accepted, and the prototype flew for the first time on 29 August 2013 - laying the groundwork for the subsequent procurement phase. The name "Hurkus" comes from the Turkish aviation engineer Vecihi Hurkus (1895-1969), the country's first civilian pilot and a veteran of the First World War (1914-1918).

As of November 2013, Hurkus is represented by two finished prototype samples for ongoing testing.

Overall, the aircraft will be similar to the American Beechcraft T-6 "Texan II", the Brazilian Embraer EMB 314 "Super Tucano" and the Swiss Pilatus PC-21 series - all in the basic trainer/light attack market Competition. The Hurkus will replace the Turkish Air Force's aging fleet of T-37 "Tweet" trainers, a two-seat turbojet that emerged in the 1950s.

The Air Force has about 65 of these aircraft in inventory.

The design of the Hurkus is largely traditional, with its sleek aerodynamic fuselage attached to a low-position, forward-facing, straight monoplane wing attachment. As usual, the engine is housed in the forward cabin, while the tail uses a single vertical stabilizer and a pair of low-level horizontal planes. All wing surfaces have truncated tips. The fuselage accommodates two crew members and sits under a large transparent canopy that provides an excellent top-down view of the aircraft from any position. The cockpit includes state-of-the-art avionics and controls, serving as a convenient stepping stone in the transition to more advanced flight systems.

The aircraft used Martin-Baker Mk T-60N "Zero-Zero" ejection seats for two crew members.

Hurkus relies on a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68T series turboprop engine to deliver 1,600 horsepower to a five-blade Hartzell aluminum propeller. The combination of airframe design/configuration and engines is said to give the Hurkus a top speed of 360 mph, a cruising speed of nearly 290 mph, a range of up to 920 miles, and an operational service ceiling of 34,700 feet.

The climb rate is 4,300 feet per minute.

TAI will deliver Hurkus in two, possibly three different production formats - Hurkus-A, Hurkus-B and Hurkus-C. Hurkus-A will be a basic civil airspace variant developed on the basis of EASA certification. The Hurkus-B will be a more advanced trainer with a HUD (Heads Up Display), mission computer and weapon simulation multifunction display (6"x8" MFD) in each cockpit.

A third, more militarized variant was proposed as "Hurkus-C". This model will provide light weapons support (guns, cannons, bombs, rockets, missiles) to perform a light attack/strike/close air support (CAS) role.

The Hurkus project is not without delays. The flight of the first prototype is scheduled to take place sometime in 2009, followed by the first delivery in 2011. However, the aircraft was not officially shown until June 2012, and its maiden flight did not take place until August 2013.

It is conceivable that Hurkus will eventually be sold to foreign buyers. It will certainly serve Turkish Aerospace Engineering and be the starting point for more advanced domestic aircraft designs.

TAI Hurkus Specification

Basic

Year:
2018
Status:
Under development
Staff:
2

Production

[4 units] :
Turkish Aerospace Industry Turkey / Pilatus Aircraft Limited Switzerland

Roles

- Close Air Support (CAS)

- Education

Dimensions

Length:

36.65 ft (11.17 m)

Width:

9.96m

Height:

3.7m

Weight

MTOW:

3,650 kg

(difference: +8.047lb)

Performance

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68T turboprop engine, producing 1,600 hp, driving a five-bladed propeller unit on the nose.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

357 mph (574 km/h; 310 knots)

Service Limit:

113,845 ft (34,700 m; 21.56 mi)

Maximum range:

920 miles (1,480 km; 799 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

4,300 ft/min (1,311 m/min)

Armor

Variables (if armed):

12. 7mm machine gun pod; 20mm gun case; 2. 75" multi-shot missile pod; air-to-surface missile; conventional bomb.

Changes

Hurkus - name of base series

Hurkus-A - Basic Civil Aircraft

Hurkus-B - Base trainer with HUD, mission computer, MFD with weapons simulation capability; upgraded Aselsan avionics suite.

Hurkus-C - Proposed Armed Military Light Attack Platform; Light Ammunition Support.

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