TAI TF-X (F-X)

History

For decades, the modern Turkish Air Force relied on Western partners to store their disposable stocks. The outlook changed when the government signed an agreement in the 1980s to allow local licensed production of General Dynamics' (now Lockheed) fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon light fighter. This laid the groundwork for Turkish workers and engineers to expand their local aviation knowledge and experience, which eventually evolved into an independent operation, providing an ever-increasing capability for the Turkish state today. So, in the long run, Turkey is moving away from its reliance on foreign munitions suppliers and has its sights set on a domestic 5th generation fighter concept known by the project name "TFX" (aka "F-X").

Turkey now joins the US, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea as one of the few countries to join the 5th Fighter Process II and F-16, while complementing Turkey's upcoming Lockheed F-35 "Lightning II" The Air Force wants to get a certain amount. The initial two-year concept phase of TFX began in 2011. In March 2013, the Swedish company Saab was brought in to provide technical support for the TFX program.

Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) has been contracted to produce the required engines.

In its current form (2013), TFX consists of three different conceptual forms. A favorite of the Turkish Air Force is a single-engine fuselage with a hybrid wing-to-fuselage line, a forward-facing single-seat cockpit, and traditional main and tail attachments (like the F-22's unique "diamond" shape).

The inclination will ease the aircraft's logistical obligations in terms of short-term acquisition and long-term maintenance costs. The second concept borrows much of the same design, albeit with a larger fuselage to accommodate the two turbofan engines needed in a hybrid wing/fuselage design. All other aspects of the concept still apply to the single-engine design. Of course, going with a twin-engine fighter would increase acquisition and maintenance costs over the life of the aircraft, but the turn will provide higher performance and additional internal weapons bays.

The most radical concept - similar to the Saab Gripen or Dassault Rafale, with a duck delta floor plan along a single engine hull for high maneuverability handling.

The TFX concepts all have core fighter qualities expected from Gen 5, including a combination of hybrid and multi-faceted surfaces, "stealth" skin coatings and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems. Regardless of engine make and model, the concept is determined to demonstrate "super cruise" capability by reaching the speed of sound without the use of afterburners.

Additional internal volume is used for internal weapons bays in development for the F-22 and F-35. Another very ambitious program goal is to integrate the cockpit into the accompanying drone via a protected data connection.

All in all, the TFX concept will have a similar range to the F-22 as an air superiority fighter with internal compartments equipped with short- and medium-range homing/guided missiles. Air-to-ground roll provisions could be added to accommodate the F-35 form factor (however, as a complement to the F-35, an air superiority role is more likely).

Having said that, the actual end product will ultimately depend firmly on the inherent capabilities of Turkey's entire aerospace complex - no matter how much foreign technical assistance it receives. TEI itself will most likely not develop entirely new engines through expensive design and development risks, but instead rely on existing foreign engines from Europe, the US and even Russia - all three regions with which Turkey has historical ties.

The Turkish government will formally review the TFX plan at the end of 2013 based on the concept of the initial phase before deciding whether to proceed with the development phase. It is conceivable that another major financial/technical contributor will be involved in TFX to reduce design, development and production costs (similar to the partnerships inherent in newer European aerospace products). If the TFX program is rejected, it is clear that the Turkish Air Force - in its recent partnership with Saab - may opt for the Gripen 4th generation fighter in the long term.

However, if the TFX program materializes, the Turkish Air Force will receive around 250 aircraft under the selected TFX concept. Unlike the F-35, which has a limited export range, the final TFX product can be sold to interested exporters without U.S. restrictions and the high price of the F-35.

Specification

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