Aviation

Turkey’s future trainer jet conducts first flight

Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Hurjet training aircraft made history on April 25 when it completed its maiden flight, marking a significant development for the country’s aerospace industry. The Turkish Air Force is anticipated to replace its American Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft in its fleet with the Hurjet. Hurjet was initially shown at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2018, after TAI began work on it in late 2017.

The Hurjet reached a maximum speed of 250 knots and an altitude of 14,000 feet during its 26-minute flight, according to the Turkish news website. A supersonic aircraft, it can travel at a top speed of more than 1.3 mach. It is a twin-seat trainer aircraft with a single engine that is powered by American General Electric F404 engines. The Hurjet is equipped to perform close-air support operations in addition to training.

HÜRJET, Türkiye’s first indigenous and homegrown manned supersonic jet aircraft, has successfully completed its first flight. pic.twitter.com/YqwI8oVMkv
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 25, 2023

The aircraft has a contemporary glass cockpit with cutting-edge avionics and mission systems, such as a mission computer, multi-function displays, and a head-up display. Additionally, it boasts a digital flight control system that decreases pilot workload while offering greater handling and performance.

The Hurjet can fly up to 2,600 km and reach heights of 45,000 feet. It is a flexible and capable platform for a variety of tasks because to its modern weaponry, which includes air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and guided bombs.

The Hurjet’s indigenous engine, the TR-40, is one of its distinctive features. TAI created this engine, which is specifically built to give excellent performance and dependability in challenging environments. It is also designed to be easily maintainable and to have a long service life.

Source:

Related Topics:Hurjet Turkish aerospace Industry

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

American Airlines Is Looking for Flight Attendants: Apply Now

The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

Close Call at Heathrow: BA Flight Narrowly Escapes Drone Collision

China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.