Hürjet Completes First Flight for Turkish
The first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer for the Turkish Air Force made its maiden flight on August 30, marking a key step toward replacing the
The first Hürjet jet trainer built for the Turkish Air Force completed its maiden flight on Sunday, August 30. The aircraft, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace, flew for 18 minutes during the sortie, accompanied by one of the program's development prototypes.
This flight followed ground and taxi testing. The event signifies progress toward the aircraft's entry into operational service.
Program Background and Specifications
Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem-seat advanced jet trainer. It was developed to replace the Turkish Air Force's aging T-38 trainers and the F-5 aircraft currently used for aerobatic demonstration roles.
According to specifications listed by Turkish Aerospace, the aircraft is powered by a General Electric F404 engine. This engine provides 17,700 pounds of thrust. The company states the Hürjet has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4 and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. You can find detailed performance stats for other aircraft in our database.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | General Electric F404 |
| Thrust | 17,700 pounds |
| Max Speed | Mach 1.4 |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 feet |
Testing and Production Progress
The program's first prototype aircraft flew in April 2023. A second prototype followed in 2024.
Turkish Aerospace reports that these two development aircraft have now completed more than 500 test flights. These tests have included supersonic flight trials. Meanwhile, series production for the Turkish Air Force is ongoing, which will be reflected in future fixtures and delivery schedules.
The maiden flight of this first production-standard aircraft is a tangible result of that manufacturing effort. It moves the program from pure development toward delivery.
Aircraft Role and Future
The Hürjet is designed to fulfill the advanced training mission. It will prepare pilots for front-line fighter aircraft. Its performance parameters are intended to bridge the gap between basic trainers and complex combat jets.
Replacing the T-38 fleet is a primary objective. The aircraft will also take over the aerobatic role from the F-5, which is used by the Turkish Stars demonstration team.
The successful first flight of a production aircraft, following over 500 developmental test sorties, indicates a maturing program. Series production continues as Turkish Aerospace works toward formal delivery to the Turkish Air Force, which will eventually impact the service's operational standings.
