The first jet-powered airplane of Turkey.

The HÜRJET jet training and light attack aircraft, which is Turkey's first supersonic motorized jet trainer, successfully completed its first solo flight. After undergoing flight tests at the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), this aircraft made its debut on May 19, coinciding with Youth and Sports Day. Designed and developed independently by the Presidency of Defense Industries and TUSAŞ, this aircraft marks another significant milestone in the HÜRJET project. Having transitioned from paper to reality at the TUSAŞ Kahramankazan facilities and taking to the skies, the HÜRJET will conduct a special aerial display in Samsun on May 19 to commemorate Youth and Sports Day. With this display, the HÜRJET will leave its home facility for the first time and fly in a location other than the skies of TUSAŞ. The HÜRJET will not only serve as a training jet but will also be equipped for combat preparation, with red aircraft variants and aerobatic display versions. So far, it has completed 56 flights and spent 65 hours in the air during ongoing tests. With the development tests and system verification, as well as the overcoming of existing limitations, the capabilities of the HÜRJET have been enhanced, particularly through expanded envelope testing that has provided opportunities to showcase its performance. The HÜRJET, reaching higher speeds and altitudes, can perform more aggressive maneuvers in the sky. It is planned that the HÜRJET will eventually replace the NF-5 aircraft currently used by Turkey’s aerobatic team, the “Turkish Stars.” The HÜRJET has also participated in collective flights with the Turkish Stars. The HÜRJET project, developed with national capabilities and resources, began in August 2017. The first production unit was transferred to the final assembly line on June 10, 2022, during a ceremony. After the assembly activities were completed, ground tests (landing gear, wiring, canopy mechanism, electrical tests) commenced, and the HÜRJET underwent initial engine start tests, along with avionics, electrical system tests, and fuel tests. On January 30, 2023, the HÜRJET, Turkey’s first supersonic motorized jet trainer, ignited its engine for the first time. The aircraft became familiar with the runway for taxi tests on March 18, 2023, and took to the skies for the first time on April 25, 2023. The HÜRJET, which lifted off at 7:35 AM for its inaugural flight, remained airborne for 26 minutes and successfully completed its flight. During testing, the HÜRJET reached an altitude of 14,000 feet and achieved an airspeed of 250 knots. Following its first flight, the HÜRJET continued its flight testing within the designed parameters. TUSAŞ aims to produce 6 to 7 HÜRJET aircraft in the first year of mass production and plans to manufacture 2 aircraft monthly and 24 annually from the following year. Deliveries of the HÜRJET to customers are set to commence from 2025, with deliveries to the Turkish Air Force also beginning in 2025.