TUSAŞ's new training aircraft, HÜRKUŞ II, is being displayed at the IDEX 2025 exhibition held in the UAE following the maiden flight in December 2024.
During the exhibition, TurDef learned about the changes in HÜRKUŞ II and the roadmap for the new trainer model. The aircraft has a range of aerodynamic, structural, and interface changes.
Among the most significant of these changes is the reduced weight resulting from internal structure reworks and the use of composites. The weights of the fuselage and tail sections have been significantly reduced, reducing the MTOW from 3750 kg to 3300 kg.
The wing planform was reworked, and the winglets were changed to have a smoother angle change. These changes resulted in a faster roll rate, reduced drag, and a slower altitude drop when making banked turns.
Fuselage rework also includes streamlining and reduced width to reduce the parasite drag.
Finally, the cockpit with an indigenously developed canopy includes a new layout that has eliminated cluttering equipment that requires no pilot intervention, improving user-friendliness.
HÜRKUŞ II has started its ground-based vibration tests and serial flight tests will be performed beginning in March 2025. TUSAŞ plans to complete the tests in June 2025 and start the deliveries to the Turkish Air Force.
Additionally, TUSAŞ and SSB have signed an agreement to develop the armed configuration of HÜRKUŞ II. The arming works are expected to take one year.
