Turkish Trainer Shows Its Teeth

Among the aircraft making Paris Air Show debuts this week is the Hurkus turboprop trainer, designed and produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Two Hurkus A development aircraft are at Le Bourget; one is taking part in the flying display, while the other is on static display fitted with a range of weapons and sensors to represent a potential configuration of the Hurkus C light attack/close air support version first revealed in February.

First flying on August 29, 2013, the aircraft is now in production in Hurkus B form for the Turkish air force, which has ordered an initial batch of 15, with 40 more expected. The B model has a more advanced cockpit than the civilian-standard Hurkus A, which received EASA certification last July. Hurkus B has a cockpit designed with Aselsan systems that make it well-suited for training future F-16 and F-35 pilots. The first production Hurkus B is expected to fly in November.

Both Turkey’s army and Gendarmerie are set to acquire the Hurkus C armed variant. This aircraft has an electro-optical turret for surveillance and target designation and a range of weapons are available, including Roketsan’s Cirit, UMTAS and Smart Micro Munition.