TAI Hürkuş

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title: "TAI Hürkuş" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["turkish-aerospace-industries-aircraft", "2010s-turkish-military-trainer-aircraft", "counter-insurgency-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "low-wing-aircraft", "single-engined-turboprop-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-2013", "aircraft-with-retractable-tricycle-landing-gear"] description: "Turkish turboprop trainer aircraft" topic_path: "geography/turkey" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAI_Hürkuş" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Turkish turboprop trainer aircraft ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Hürkuş
image	Hürkuş-P9187710.jpg
caption	TAI Hürkuş-1B in 2019
type	*Basic/advanced trainer aircraft
national_origin	Turkey
manufacturer	Turkish Aerospace Industries
first_flight	Hürkuş-1: 29 August 2013
Hürkuş-2: 30 December 2024{{cite web	url
status	In service
primary_user	Turkish Air Force
::

| name = Hürkuş | image = Hürkuş-P9187710.jpg | caption = TAI Hürkuş-1B in 2019 | type = *Basic/advanced trainer aircraft

• Light attack aircraft | national_origin = Turkey | manufacturer = Turkish Aerospace Industries | designer = | first_flight = Hürkuş-1: 29 August 2013

Hürkuş-2: 30 December 2024 | status = In service | primary_user = Turkish Air Force

The TAI Hürkuş (Turkish for "Free Bird") is a tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine, turboprop aircraft being produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a trainer and ground attack aircraft for the Turkish Armed Forces.

The aircraft is named after Vecihi Hürkuş, a World War I and Turkish Independence War veteran pilot, a Turkish aviation pioneer and the first Turkish airplane manufacturer.

Design and development

The TAI Hürkuş Development Program started with an agreement signed between Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) and TAI in March 2006. Under the agreement the company will design, manufacture and complete the civil certification the aircraft to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CS 23 standards.

By June 2012 the Hürkuş program had consumed one million man-hours with the work of 140 engineers. About a quarter of the Turkish engineers who have worked on Hürkuş are female, as well as two of the three project heads.

The Hürkuş is equipped for day and night flying as well as basic pilot training, instrument flying, navigation training, weapons and formation training. The aircraft has good visibility from both cockpits with a 50 degree down-view angle from the rear cockpit, cabin pressurization (nominal 4.16 psid), Martin-Baker Mk T-16 N 0/0 ejection seats, an onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS), an Environmental Control System (Vapor Cycle Cooling), an anti-G system, high shock absorbing landing gear for training missions, and Hands On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS). Microtecnica of Turin, Italy has been selected to provide the aircraft's environmental control system. The Hürkuş has been designed for a 35-year service life.

The Hürkuş development program has been subject to delays. In 2007 it was forecast that the first prototype would fly in late-2009 with first delivery, upon completion of the certification process, forecast for 2011. On 27 June 2012, the Hürkuş was officially rolled out at a ceremony held at TAI's Kazan premises. The forecast date for the first flight was then delayed until later in 2012 and actually occurred on 29 August 2013 when the aircraft flew from the Ankara Akıncı Air Base on a 33-minute flight.

In 2016, the Hürkuş-A trainer aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

In February 2017, photos were released by the Turkish MoD, showing the Hürkuş-C prototype carrying Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles, Roketsan Cirit laser-guided rockets, an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) pod (likely the Aselsan Common Aperture Targeting System or CATS), and external fuel tanks. On 7 April 2017, a Hürkuş-C fired a Roketsan L-UMTAS anti-tank missile that successfully hit the target on the ground.

TAI developed Hürkuş 2, which is a modified, lighter and improved version of Hürkuş aircraft. The first prototypes are on the assembly line and are expected to appear in 2025 and make their first flight. Deliveries are expected to begin soon after, in the same year.Turkish Aerospace announced that the Hürkuş-2 aircraft, had completed its first flight with 6,500 feet altitude, 140-knot speed, 20 minutes of flight time.

15 Hürkuş 1B and 1C were delivered to Turkish Armed Forces but they were later redirected for export. 15 Hürkuş-II will be delivered in 2025, 20 in 2026 and 20 in 2027.

The Turkish government has indicated that the aircraft is expected to attract export sales, possibly from Middle Eastern countries, African countries or countries with limited air force budgets. According to a news report from CNN Türk, Australia and Sweden are interested in the aircraft.

Variants

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/TAI_HURKUS-C_(34839092714).jpg" caption="Hürkuş-C in the 2017 [[Paris Air Show"] ::

Hürkuş-1A

Basic version which has been certified with EASA according to CS-23 requirements. It is intended for the civilian market.

Hürkuş-1B

Advanced military version with integrated avionics (including HUD, MFDs, and Mission Computer). Cockpit avionics layout is similar to F-16 fighters.

Hürkuş-1C

An armed version for the close air support role in addition to pilot training missions, a maximum weapons load of 3,300lb (1,500kg) and also carry a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. It is capable of operating from unprepared runways. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in using the aircraft in counter-terrorism environments and is expected to attract export orders. The main advantage is lower the cost of air power, especially in low-intensity combat theatres where anti-air warfare threats are minimal.

An unmanned prototype of the Hurkus-C "UAS" was developed. Also, a version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard's maritime patrol operations was offered. The aircraft's rear seat was to be occupied by an operator for a FLIR sensor using an ASELSAN FLIR system.

Hürkuş-2

Although the project is also called HÜRKUŞ-2, its official name is New Generation HÜRKUŞ-B. The key points are as follows.

Weight Reduction and Materials:

• Total reduction of about 450–500 kilograms compared to the previous version.
• Composite material usage was increased, and lighter metals and alloys were incorporated into various structural parts.
• Additional weight reduction was achieved by thinning metal components.

Performance Improvements:

• Improved overall performance, fuel efficiency.
• Heavier takeoff payload, operational capacity and air endurance.

Aerodynamic and Structural Design Changes:

• Nose and Engine Section

  • The spinner received a more aerodynamic design.
  • The engine air intake and exhaust outlets were redesigned.
  • The nose profile is now noticeably slimmer, improving aerodynamic efficiency.

• Landing Gear

  • The nose landing gear has been redesigned, contributing both to weight reduction and overall structural refinement.

• Canopy and Cockpit

  • The canopy and cockpit geometry have been modified, with the angle slightly reduced for better aerodynamics and visibility.

• Wings

  • The new winglets are smaller, improving aerodynamic stability and efficiency.
  • Wing–fuselage junctions also show refined integration for smoother airflow.

• Tail Section

  • The tail assembly underwent a visible redesign, with reduced weight and enhanced aerodynamic effectiveness.

Localization of Systems:

• The new model includes fully indigenously produced systems, such as the cooling system, hydraulic pump, radio communication system and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system.

Operators

Current operators

;Turkey

• Turkish Air Force – 55 Hürkuş-2 on order. 15 Hürkuş 1B and 1Cs were transferred for export.

;Libya

• Libyan Air Force - 10 Hürkuş-C are to be delievered.

;Niger

• Niger Air Force – 2 Hürkuş-B in service.

;Chad

• Chadian Air Force - 3 Hürkuş-C in service.

Future operators

;Turkey

• Turkish Land Forces - 24 Hürkuş-2 planned.
• Gendarmerie General Command - Planned acquisition of Hürkuş-2.

Specifications (Hürkuş-1)

|ref=TAI and Airforce Technology |prime units?=met met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show -- General characteristics

|genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m=11.17 |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m=9.96 |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m=3.70 |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68T |eng1 type=turboprop aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp=1600

|prop blade number=5 |prop name=Hartzell Propeller HC-B5MA-3 |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop dia note=

Performance

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=574 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh=463 |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh=143 |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts=77 |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km=1478 |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= at 15000 ft (4572 m) |combat range km= |combat range miles= |combat range nmi= |combat range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range miles= |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance=4.25 hours at 15000 ft (4572 m) |ceiling m=10577 |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=+7/-3.5 |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms=22 |climb rate ftmin=3000 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass= |thrust/weight=

|more performance= Armament

|armahide=

|guns= 12.7mm and 20mm pods |bombs= Mk-81 with LGK-81, Mk-82, Tübitak SAGE HGK-3 (82), Tübitak SAGE KGK-82, BDU33, MK106 training ordnance, TUBITAK-SAGE TOGAN, TUBITAK-SAGE BOZOK and MAM (Smart Micro Munition) |rockets= Roketsan Cirit, 2.75-inch rockets |missiles= Roketsan UMTAS |hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other= 70 u.s.gal external fuel tank |avionics=

• Air data computer
• Attitude and heading reference system
• Emergency locator transmitter
• GPS
• Mode S transponder
• Radar altimeter

References

References

1. "HÜRKUŞ ilk uçuşunu gerçekleştirdi – Anadolu Ajansı". Aa.com.tr.
2. (30 December 2024). "Maiden Flight of the Turkish Air Force's Hürkuş II Aircraft". turdef.com.
3. (26 December 2013). "Deal signed for serial production of Turkish airplane Hürkuş".
4. (2012-02-08). "Turkey grounds T-37 fleet for safety checks". Flightglobal.com.
5. Hürriyet – Doğan Yayın Holding. (2010). "İşte Hürkuş".
6. [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]]. (2008). "TAI'S Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft(Hurkis) To be Displayed at 47th Paris Airshow".
7. Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. (February 2010). "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft (HÜRKUŞ) Development Program".
8. [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]]. (June 2007). "Aviation Week – Show News – Turkey's New Trainer Gets Old Name: Hurkis".
9. [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]]. (2008). "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft – Hurkis".
10. (2012-07-15). "Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri". YouTube.
11. (2012-06-27). "Milliyet – İlk yerli uçak Hürkuş 1 milyon saatte tasarlandı". Ekonomi.milliyet.com.tr.
12. "Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri". Kokpit.aero.
13. Hoyle, Craig. (June 2010). "Microtecnica selected to equip Turkey's Hurkus trainer".
14. "Türkiye'nin uçağı Hürkuş". YouTube.
15. "Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer "Hürkuş" Rolls Out – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr.
16. "HÜRKUŞ, ilk uçuşunu yaptı". ZAMAN.
17. Niles, Russ. (2013-08-29). "Turkish Hurkus Military Trainer Flies – AVweb flash Article". Avweb.
18. "Farnborough 2016: Turkey's Hurkus trainer receives type certification {{!}} IHS Jane's 360".
19. (2017-02-17). "Turkish Aerospace Industries reveals Hürkuş-C close air support aircraft".
20. Milli Savunma. (9 April 2017). "HÜRKUŞ İlk Atışını LUMTAS Füzesiyle Gerçekleştirdi".
21. (2024-12-30). "Maiden Flight of the Turkish Air Force's Hürkuş II Aircraft {{!}} TURDEF".
22. Işık, Yusuf Emir. (2025-04-23). "HÜRKUŞ-II teslimatı 2025 yılında başlıyor".
23. "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero.
24. (2013-05-13). "TAI Hurkus nears first flight and orders". Flightglobal.com.
25. (January 4, 2014). "Turkey to open contract negotiations with TAI for the serial production of the Hürkus Trainer Aircraft".
26. (2 July 2012). "PICTURE: TAI rolls out Turkey's first Hurkus trainer". flightglobal.com.
27. "EASA Awards TAI with Design Organization Certificate – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr.
28. "HURKUS – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc". Tai.com.tr.
29. "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero.
30. "Hürkuş siparişi SSİK toplantısında gündeme geliyor". Kokpit.aero.
31. "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero.
32. "Hürkuş insansız uçacak". takvim.com.tr.
33. "Hürkuş'un farklı detayları". Kokpit.aero.
34. https://tolgaozbek.com/savunma/hava-kuvvetleri/yeni-hurkusun-farklari/
35. (2024-04-18). "SSB'den 40 adet HÜRKUŞ-B siparişi: Mayıs 2025'e envanter {{!}} SavunmaSanayiST".
36. https://www.savunmasanayist.com/bomba-haber-tusasta-hurkus-kalmadi/
37. (2023-05-24). "TUSAŞ hangi ülkelere kaç adet hava aracı teslim etti?".
38. Embraer, In association with. "2024 World Air Forces directory".
39. "Jandarma Genel Komutanlığı 2023 Yılı Faaliyet Raporu Yayınlandı.".
40. "TAI Hurkus Basic Trainer Aircraft". airforce-technology.com.
41. Turnbull, Grant. (2019-05-08). "Turkey's new Hurkus-C light attack aircraft was sporting an interesting weapon pylon integration".
42. Acar, Cemal. (2019-03-30). "Tübitak SAGE's TOGAN Air Launched 81mm Ballistic/Near Presicion Mortar Weapon was integrated to TAI Hürkuş-C.".
43. "Hürkuş and MAM-L at tests {{!}} TurDef".
44. (2018-08-08). "HÜRKUŞ- Her yere uçar".
45. "ASELSAN 2023'te birçok ilke imza attı".

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