Turkish Aerospace Hürjet production aircraft
The first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer for the Turkish Air Force completed its maiden flight on August 30, 2026, starting flight tests.
The first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer built for the Turkish Air Force has completed its maiden flight. The aircraft flew for 18 minutes on August 30, 2026, marking the start of flight testing for the configuration intended for operational delivery.
This flight followed final assembly, ground testing, and taxi trials. While two earlier prototypes were used for development, production aircraft are now being assembled to the planned service standard.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace, the Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem-seat supersonic aircraft. Its primary role is advanced and lead-in fighter training, bridging the gap between basic jet trainers and frontline fighters.
Performance and Specifications
The aircraft is powered by a General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan engine. According to its published specifications, the Hürjet has the following performance characteristics:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Thrust | Approximately 17,700 pounds |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 1.4 |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 feet |
| Range | 1,060 nautical miles |
| G-Load Limits | +8g / -3g |
| External Payload Capacity | Up to 7,500 pounds |
This combination of supersonic speed, high-g maneuverability, and modern avionics places it in the advanced training category. Unlike some competitors, such as the subsonic Leonardo M-346, the Hürjet is capable of supersonic flight.
Program and Fleet Replacement
The Hürjet program was launched in 2017. The first prototype flew on April 25, 2023. Two prototypes have been used in a flight-test campaign that included transonic and supersonic performance evaluations.
For the Turkish Air Force, the aircraft is intended to replace the ageing T-38 fleet used for advanced jet training. The T-38, which first flew in 1959, is a twin-engine supersonic trainer. The Hürjet uses a single-engine configuration and a modern digital avionics architecture designed for contemporary training needs.
The aircraft has also been associated with the eventual replacement of the F-5 aircraft operated by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team.
International Orders and Future Plans
The Hürjet has secured its first international customer. Spain has selected the aircraft as part of its new combat training system. It plans to acquire 30 Hürjets to replace its own ageing F-5 training fleet.
Airbus is working with Turkish Aerospace on the Spanish program. Deliveries to Spain are planned from 2028.
The first production aircraft will now undergo further flight testing and verification before its delivery to the Turkish Air Force.
Source: AeroTime