TAI TF-X

TAI TF-X
Role Stealth air superiority fighter [1]
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries
Designer Turkish Aerospace Industries
BAE Systems
Status Preliminary Design Studies[2]
Program cost US$50 billion (expected)[3]
Unit cost
US$100 million (expected)[4]

The TAI TF-X is a proposed twin-engine[5] all-weather Turkish air superiority fighter[6] being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with technological assistance from BAE Systems of the United Kingdom.[7][8] The aircraft is planned to replace the F-16s of the Turkish Air Force and to be exported to foreign air forces.[9]

During Theresa May's visit to Turkey in January 2017, BAE and TAI officials signed an agreement, worth about £100 million, for BAE to provide engineering assistance in developing the aircraft.[10]

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has confirmed that the first TF-X aircraft is going to fly by 2023.[11]

Development

On 15 December 2010, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided to design, develop, and manufacture an indigenous next generation air-to-air combat fighter which would replace Turkey's F-16 fleet and work together with the F-35.[12] Funding equivalent to US$20 million was allocated for a 2-year conceptual design phase that will be performed by TAI.[13] TAI officials have stated that the conceptual design phase should be complete in late 2013, with a report being prepared and served to the Prime Minister for approval of the development phase budget and framework.

TAI and TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) will lead the design, entry and development processes of the fighter jet. TEI will focus more on the production of the aircraft's engines, while TAI will develop the airframe and other components. The studies will reveal how much the fighter jet would cost, which mechanical and electronic systems would be employed and included, and a wider perspective of the opportunities and challenges in military aviation.[14]

Technological assistance from BAE Systems

In December 2015, Turkey’s Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM) announced that it had chosen BAE Systems of the United Kingdom to assist with the design of the nation’s next-generation Air superiority fighter. The same day Rolls-Royce offered Turkey EJ200 technology transfer and joint-development of a derivative for the TF-X program.[15]

The Turkish Air Force intends to procure at least 250 TF-X starting from 2025 and integrate them in a network-centric Air Force structure consisting of F-35, F-16 Block 50+, Future Unmanned Combat Aircraft, Airborne Stand-Off Jammers and the Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle. Turkey plans to introduce the TF-X by 2025, having it and the F-35A comprising a dual fighter jet fleet. The TF-X is to compensate for some of the F-35's weaknesses in air-to-air combat. Permission to officially start the first phase of development is expected by the end of 2014.[16]

Technological assistance from Rostech of Russia

Russian Defence companies at the Eurasia Air Show 2018 evinced an intention to join the TF-X program[17][18].

In a surprise move, some Russian companies have also stated that they were ready to provide technology for the TF-X engine[19].

Turkish Defence officials confirm that they are exploring this option and discussing cooperation models.

Tender

On 13 March 2015 the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) officially issued a Request for Information from Turkish companies which had the capacity "to perform the indigenous design, development and production activities of the first Turkish Fighter Aircraft to meet Turkish Armed Forces’ next generation fighter requirements" signalling the official start of the program.[20]

Design

Airframe

Hüseyin Yağcı, TAI's chief engineer on the TF-X program, has stated that all three conceptual designs thus far feature a design optimized for low radar cross-sectional density, internal weapons bays, and the ability to supercruise; features associated with fifth-generation fighter jets.[6]

TAI's Advanced Carbon Composites fuselage facility, which was commissioned to produce fuselages for Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (F-35)[21][22] program, has been tasked with developing an Advanced Carbon Composite fuselage for the TF-X. The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) has also issued a tender for the development of a new lighter carbon composite thermoplastic for the TF-X fuselage.[23]

Radar and sensors

ASELSAN is currently developing a highly advanced Active electronically scanned array radar which will use gallium nitride (GaN) technology for the TF-X program.[24]

Avionics and equipment

The TF-X will be integrated from the cockpit to accompanying UAV's (most likely the TAI Anka) through encrypted datalink connections.[25]

The TF-X probably could use upgraded variants of Aselsan's own radar warning receiver (RWR), missile warning system (MWS), laser warning system (LWS), chaff and flare management, dispensing system and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based jamming system, which are previously developed. [26][27]

Propulsion

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced on January 8, 2015, that the TF-X will be a twin-engined fighter jet.[5] The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), the procurement agency for Turkish Armed Forces, has written a letter of intent to three engine manufacturers: General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and EUROJET Turbo.

On 20 January 2015, Aselsan of Turkey announced that it had executed a memorandum of understanding with Eurojet, the manufacturer of the EJ200 engine used in the Eurofighter Typhoon.[28] The announcement also stated that a derivative of the EJ200 will be used in the TF-X program.[29][30][31][32] The two companies will additionally collaborate and co-develop engine control software systems and engine maintenance monitoring systems.[32] Turkey's selection of the EJ200 evidences TAI's intention to use supercruise capability.

Specifications (expected)

Data from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)[33]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 60 m2 (650 sq ft)
  • Max takeoff weight: 27,216 kg (60,000 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Rolls Royce & Kale design , 89 kN (20,000 lbf) thrust each
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2
  • Combat range: 1,111 km; 690 mi (600 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,000 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ Milli ucak cift motorlu olacak (in Turkish), TR: Kokpit
  2. ↑ "Turkish Fighter Development (TF-X) Program". www.ssm.gov.tr. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  3. ↑ http://www.kokpit.aero/hakan-kilic-cevapliyor-tfx-projesi/
  4. ↑ https://www.log.com.tr/turkiyenin-yerli-savas-ucagi-tf-x-hakkinda-milli-savunma-bakanindan-aciklama/
  5. 1 2 "Turkey advances TFX fighter project, orders new rifles, more F-35s, CH-47s", Jane’s
  6. 1 2 "IDEF 2013: TAI reveals fifth generation fighter designs". Jane's Defence Weekly. IHS. 8 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "BAE Systems signs Heads of Agreement for a future contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries for TF-X Programme". BAE Systems. 28 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Rolls-Royce and Kale Group create defence aero engine joint venture". Rolls-Royce. 8 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "Turkey to Replace F-16s With Local Jets". Hürriyet daily news. TR: Hürriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık. 29 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Britain, Turkey sign defence deal to develop Turkish fighter jet". Reuters. 27 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Turkey's national combat jet TF-X to fly by 2023". Anadolu Agency. 27 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "Turkey ready to produce first national fighter jet". Today’s zaman. TR: Feza Gazetecilik. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Jet Trainer Aircraft and Fighter Aircraft Conceptual Design Project". TR: SSM. 11 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Deal for production of first Turkish fighter jet signed". Today’s zaman. TR: Feza Gazetecilik. 23 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011.
  15. ↑ "Rolls-Royce Offers Engine for Turkish-Made Fighter Jet". Defense News. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  16. ↑ Turkey; SSM envisages dual first line fighter fleet by 2023 Archived 14 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine. - Dmilt.com, 18 June 2014
  17. ↑ https://www.fort-russ.com/2018/05/hand-in-hand-russia-and-turkey-make-the-first-turkish-fighter-jet/
  18. ↑ https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-defence/russians-want-help-develop-first-turkish-fighter-jet
  19. ↑ https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2018/05/02/turkeys-fighter-jet-program-races-ahead-as-russian-firm-reveals-interest/
  20. ↑ http://www.ssm.gov.tr/anasayfa/hizli/duyurular/projeDuyurulari/Documents/TF-X_Program_RFI.docx
  21. ↑ Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. "Composite". Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  22. ↑ "The composites industry in Turkey". Materials Today. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  23. ↑ "A. Havacılıkta Kullanılan Karbon Elyaf Takviyeli Termoplastik Reçineli Prepreg Geliştirilmesi Projesi (KOZA)". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  24. ↑ "Future Turkish Fighter Concepts Revealed at IDEF 13". ainonline.com. 17 May 2013.
  25. ↑ "TAI TFX / F-X Experimental Fifth Generation Fighter Concept". Military Factory, militaryfactory.com. 18 June 2013.
  26. ↑ "Could Aselsan provide EW/ECM gear for the JF-17?". quwa, quwa.org. 11 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "Helicopter Electronic Warfare System (HEWS)". Aselsan, aselsan.com.tr. 11 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "ASELSAN Signs MoU with EUROJET". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  29. ↑ "Turkey's ASELSAN inks deal with Eurojet for EJ200 engine - Brahmand News". www.brahmand.com. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "Aselsan, Eurojet sign MoU". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  31. ↑ "ASELSAN ve EUROJET arasında İşbirliği". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  32. 1 2 "Aselsan signs cooperation deal with Eurojet - BUSINESS". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  33. ↑ https://www.tai.com.tr/en/product/milli-muharip-ucak

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