The TF-X program, also known as Milli Muharip Ucak (MMU, or National Combat Aircraft), began in December 2010 to build an indigenous fifth-generation combat aircraft.
The footage was recorded on November 21.
The footage was recorded on November 21.
Pictures show that the aircraft’s fuselage and wings have largely been assembled.
The absence of horizontal stabilizers, dual engines, outward-canted tail fins, modern avionics, and an ejection seat is seen in the images.
The aircraft’s prototype is expected to be completed in 2023, with the first flight scheduled for 2025.
Initially, it was intended that the first examples from the production cycle would go into service as early as 2028. However, it is currently anticipated that the Turkish Air Force will begin receiving the aircraft in the early 2030s.
The idea of a cutting-edge stealth air superiority fighter is the bedrock of the TF-X fighter jet’s development. The TF-X jet was meant to replace Turkey’s F-16C/D fighter fleet when it was first conceptualized in the early 2010s.
At the time, the Turkish Air Force did not have a pressing need for a fifth-generation fighter because the country was an essential partner of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and had plans to purchase 100 F-35s.
It even invested up to $1.4 billion in the F-35 program. However, Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program in 2019 by Washington as retaliation for Ankara’s earlier acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
The TF-X program serves as a lifeline in some ways for Turkey’s domestic military sector, which is recovering from these significant and unexpected setbacks. But, the country’s ability to develop the aircraft also faces further challenges due to the loss of the F-35s.
In 2018, Turkey picked the F110-GE-129 or F110-GE-132 after-burning turbofan from General Electric to propel the fighter. However, the deterioration in US-Turkish ties made it appear a distant possibility.
In July, the Turkish government launched a competition to develop a homegrown turbofan engine that will power TF-X fighter jets. Another engine choice is Rolls-Royce, which was first passed up in favor of GE as the TF-X power plant supplier.
In October 2016, Rolls-Royce proposed a collaborative production agreement with Turkey to supply the country’s future platforms and prospective third-party sales.
In its proposal, the business offered to build an engine production facility in Turkey that would also produce engines for helicopters, tanks, and missiles in addition to those for the TF-X.
In 2017, BAE Systems, and TAI agreed to a contract worth more than £100 million to develop the Turkish Fighter jet.
Purchasing a Russian engine has also been mentioned, but it is currently an extremely remote possibility due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Moscow.
Meanwhile, Turkey intends to purchase 40 brand-new F-16 Block 70/72 jets and the necessary kits to upgrade an additional 80 of its current F-16C/Ds.
The new and upgraded F-16s would serve as a temporary solution until the TF-X can be deployed in large numbers. However, given the tense relationship between Ankara and Washington, such a deal is far from guaranteed.
eurasiantimes
The absence of horizontal stabilizers, dual engines, outward-canted tail fins, modern avionics, and an ejection seat is seen in the images.
The aircraft’s prototype is expected to be completed in 2023, with the first flight scheduled for 2025.
Initially, it was intended that the first examples from the production cycle would go into service as early as 2028. However, it is currently anticipated that the Turkish Air Force will begin receiving the aircraft in the early 2030s.
The idea of a cutting-edge stealth air superiority fighter is the bedrock of the TF-X fighter jet’s development. The TF-X jet was meant to replace Turkey’s F-16C/D fighter fleet when it was first conceptualized in the early 2010s.
At the time, the Turkish Air Force did not have a pressing need for a fifth-generation fighter because the country was an essential partner of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and had plans to purchase 100 F-35s.
It even invested up to $1.4 billion in the F-35 program. However, Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program in 2019 by Washington as retaliation for Ankara’s earlier acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
The TF-X program serves as a lifeline in some ways for Turkey’s domestic military sector, which is recovering from these significant and unexpected setbacks. But, the country’s ability to develop the aircraft also faces further challenges due to the loss of the F-35s.
In 2018, Turkey picked the F110-GE-129 or F110-GE-132 after-burning turbofan from General Electric to propel the fighter. However, the deterioration in US-Turkish ties made it appear a distant possibility.
In July, the Turkish government launched a competition to develop a homegrown turbofan engine that will power TF-X fighter jets. Another engine choice is Rolls-Royce, which was first passed up in favor of GE as the TF-X power plant supplier.
In October 2016, Rolls-Royce proposed a collaborative production agreement with Turkey to supply the country’s future platforms and prospective third-party sales.
In its proposal, the business offered to build an engine production facility in Turkey that would also produce engines for helicopters, tanks, and missiles in addition to those for the TF-X.
In 2017, BAE Systems, and TAI agreed to a contract worth more than £100 million to develop the Turkish Fighter jet.
Purchasing a Russian engine has also been mentioned, but it is currently an extremely remote possibility due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Moscow.
Meanwhile, Turkey intends to purchase 40 brand-new F-16 Block 70/72 jets and the necessary kits to upgrade an additional 80 of its current F-16C/Ds.
The new and upgraded F-16s would serve as a temporary solution until the TF-X can be deployed in large numbers. However, given the tense relationship between Ankara and Washington, such a deal is far from guaranteed.
eurasiantimes
