Turkey launches new bid for light trainer aircraft

Turkey has issued a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the contract that foresees the off-the-shelf purchase of a small fleet of trainers to replace the fleet of ageing SF 260s used in the Turkish Air Force for preliminary training.
Turkey still operates with nearly 40 SF 260s assembled by TAI in the early 1990s. For preliminary training purposes the Air Force operates Cessna 172s.
Potential bidders are the U.S. Beechcraft and Cirrus, Austria’s Diamond, Germany’s Grobe, Czech Zlin and Italy’s Aermacchi.
Meanwhile, Turkey has silently phased out a fleet of 48 F-5 lead-in trainer aircrafts, which Israel’s Elbit upgraded and delivered in the early 2000s.TAI is upgrading nearly 60 T-38 basic trainers to replace the F-5s and the older T-38s.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee, the ultimate decision-maker in defense procurement, decided Sept. 26 to make an order for the serial production of the Hürkuş, Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft.
Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft has been approved for flight testing, with the maiden flight planned within the next year.
The Hürkuş, also developed by TAI, has been undergoing tests for runway-holding, steering and braking time limits.
TAI is manufacturing four prototypes of the Hürkuş for a round of tests. The first prototype successfully went through engine tests in February, the second is being tested for static durability and cabin pressure, the third is being assembled, and the fourth will be tested for metal fatigue.
The two-seat Hürkuş will have a 35-year service life, or 10,500 flight hours. The turboprop aircraft has a 1,600-horsepower engine that can fly at an altitude of 10,577 meters at a maximum speed of 574 kilometers per hour.
The Hürkuş will come in four variants:
Hürkuş-A: A basic version that has been certified with EASA, according to CS-23 requirements and is intended for the civilian market.
Hürkuş-B: An advanced version with integrated avionics, including a mission computer and cockpit avionics layout similar to F-16 and F-35 fighters. The Turkish Army is considering an initial order of 15 aircrafts.
Hürkuş-C: An armed version for close-air support, which will have a maximum weapons load of 3,300 pounds. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in the Hürkuş-C to provide support for its attack helicopters.
The Coast Guard version: TAI plans to offer another version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard’s maritime patrol activities. The aircraft’s back seat would be occupied by an operator for a forward-looking infrared sensor.
hurriyetdailynews

La Fuerza Aérea de Venezuela recupera sus aviones de entrenamiento EMB-312 Tucano y SF-260

El Grupo de Entrenamiento Aéreo N° 14 de la Fuerza Aérea Venezolana está adelantando la recuperación de sus aviones Embraer EMB-312/T-27 Tucano y Alenia SF-260, según se informa en una nota de prensa de ese componente militar.
venezueladefensa

SMALL AIR FORCES: ZIMBABWE

No sabia que en la Air Force of Zimbabue habían volado o volaban los SIA MARCHETTI/AERMACCHI SF.260, aquí los tenéis:

Filipinas recibe entrenadores básicos SF-260F/ Philippines takes delivery of SF-260F primary trainers

La Fuerza Aérea de Filipinas ha recibido los cuatro primeros nuevos aviones de entrenamiento básico Aermacchi SF-260F, con catorce mas a recibir a principios de 2011.
Antes de su llegada, Filipinas disponía de solo 14 aviones de entrenamiento operativos: 10 Cessna T-41 Mescalero y cuatro SF-260.
flightglobal
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The Philippine air force has taken delivery of its first four Alenia Aermacchi SF-260F primary trainers, with 14 more expected to be handed over in the first quarter of 2011.
Before the arrival of the new SF-260Fs, the Philippine air force had only 14 operational trainers: 10 Cessna T-41 Mescaleros and four SF-260s.
flightglobal

Italia venderá nuevos entrenadores a Filipinas/Italia to Supply Philipines Air Force with New Training Planes

Filipinas ha decidido ejecutar un contrato de 13,1 millones de dólares para dotar a sus fuerzas armadas con 18 nuevos aviones de entrenamiento a finales de año. El contrato con la italiana Alenia Aermacchi fue aprobado en 2008, pero la empresa solo empezó el ensamblaje a finales de año, debido a contratiempos inesperados. El coste unitario es de 700.000 dólares y serán entregados en lotes de cuatro a partir de Julio.
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Philippines government has decided to proceed with a $13.1-million Italian contract that would supply the Armed Forces of the Philippines with 18 new training planes by year end. The contract of Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A was approved in 2008, but the firm began assembling SF-260 planes only late last year due to undisclosed complications. Each aircraft costs government $700,000. The manufacturer will hand over the planes in batches of four beginning July.