TAI Hurjet’s second prototype completes successful maiden flight
The second prototype of Hurjet, Türkiye's first national jet trainer aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), has successfully completed its first flight. (TAI - AA Photo)
The second prototype of Türkiye‘s first indigenous jet trainer aircraft, Hurjet, completed its maiden flight successfully, as announced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
The flight marks a significant milestone in the development of the advanced jet trainer program. Reportedly, in the second prototype, the structure of the air intake was changed, the radome was changed, and a lancer was placed on the wing tips.
Second prototype performs maneuver tests
The Hurjet PT-2 took to the skies and remained airborne for 26 minutes, conducting various maneuver tests. Reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and achieving a speed of 200 knots, the prototype demonstrated its capabilities during its first test flight.
This follows the successful debut of the prototype, which made its maiden flight in April 2023.
Honoring fallen TAI employees
The second prototype’s flight holds special significance, as it bore the names of TAI employees who were killed in a terrorist attack in October.
Zahide Guclu Ekici, Hasan Huseyin Canbaz, Atakan Sahin Erdogan, Cengiz Coskun, and Murat Arslan were commemorated with their names inscribed on the aircraft, symbolizing resilience and commitment to the project.
Serial production and first deliveries planned for 2026
The Hurjet program, initiated in 2017 under the coordination of the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), aims to fulfill the Turkish Air Force’s requirements for an advanced jet trainer.
Designed with a single-engine, tandem seating, and modern avionics, Hurjet is expected to play a critical role in training and light combat missions. TAI plans to start series production, with the first deliveries anticipated by 2026.
TAI CEO expresses pride in milestone achievement
TAI CEO Mehmet Demiroglu shared his pride in the accomplishment, stating, “The second prototype, which carries the names of our martyrs to the sky, Hurjet, completed its first flight.
This success once again proved the strength of our engineering capabilities. With the power and belief of Turkish engineering, we work day and night for a fully independent Türkiye! I wholeheartedly congratulate all my colleagues who contributed.”
| Length: 13,6 m (44.6 ft) | Thrust: 17,600 lb |
| Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft) | Service Ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft) |
| Height: 5,1 m (16.7 ft) | Payload Capacity: 2721 kg (6000 lbs) |
| Wing Area: 35 m2 (270 ft2) | Sustained Turn: 5.5 g @ 15000 ft < 0.9 Mach |
| Climb Rate: 39.000 fpm | G Limits: +8g / -3g |
| Maximum Speed: 1.4 Mach | Range: 2222 km (1200 nm) |
