Turkish Hürjet production trainer completes
The first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer for the Turkish Air Force completed its maiden flight on August 30, 2026.
The first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer built for the Turkish Air Force has completed its maiden flight. According to a report by Aerotime, this marks the start of flight testing for the first aircraft in the configuration intended for operational delivery.
The supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft remained airborne for 18 minutes on August 30, 2026. The flight followed the completion of final assembly, ground testing, and taxi tests.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace, Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem-seat supersonic aircraft. It is designed primarily for advanced and lead-in fighter training. Its role is to bridge the gap between basic jet training and frontline fighter aircraft.
Performance and Specifications
The aircraft is powered by a General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan. Key published performance figures are listed below.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Thrust | 17,700 pounds |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 1.4 |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 feet |
| Range | 1,060 nautical miles |
| G-Load Limits | +8g / -3g |
| External Payload | 7,500 pounds |
This combination of supersonic performance, high-g maneuverability, and modern avionics places Hürjet in the advanced training category. It is comparable to aircraft such as the Leonardo M-346 and KAI T-50. Unlike the subsonic M-346, however, Hürjet is capable of supersonic flight.
Programme Background and Roles
The Hürjet program was launched in 2017. The first prototype made its maiden flight on April 25, 2023. Two prototypes have since been used for the flight-test campaign.
For the Turkish Air Force, Hürjet is intended to replace the ageing T-38 fleet used for advanced jet training. The T-38 first flew in 1959. Hürjet uses a single-engine configuration and a modern digital avionics architecture designed around contemporary fighter training requirements.
The aircraft has also been associated with the eventual replacement of F-5 aircraft operated by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. Its performance is particularly relevant to the lead-in fighter trainer role. The aircraft can replicate several characteristics of frontline fighters.
International Interest and Next Steps
The aircraft is also being developed for light-combat missions. This extends its potential use beyond pilot training.
Hürjet has secured its first international customer. Spain has selected the aircraft as part of its new combat training system. It plans to acquire 30 Hürjets to replace its ageing F-5 training fleet.
Airbus is working with Turkish Aerospace on the Spanish program. Deliveries are planned from 2028.
The first production aircraft will now undergo further flight testing and verification. This must be completed before delivery to the Turkish Air Force.
