Türkiye’s Hurjet has completed cold-weather testing, a key milestone before deliveries of the trainer jet begin to the Turkish military later this year.
The Hurjet is the first entirely indigenously made crewed jet aircraft made in Türkiye and the first capable of supersonic speeds. The single-engined, tandem-seat, supersonic jet trainer and light combat aircraft made its maiden flight in April 2023.
According to local reports, the cold weather testing was done in Erzurum, Türkiye used two Hurjet prototypes and was coordinated by Türkiye Government agency the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB). The aircraft has been developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Ground testing was conducted in temperatures as low as -21 °C (-5.8 °F), while flight testing confirmed that engines and avionics operated effectively under cold weather conditions.
High-altitude performance was also validated using tested at Erzurum alongside the cold weather testing.
Hurjet replaces the T-38 for Turkish Air Force
The single-engine advanced jet trainer can also be used as a light attack aircraft and is powered by the GE F404-GE-102 engine. It is designed to have a maximum speed of 1,074mph (1,730km/h) and a range of 2,222km (1,380 miles).
It will replace the T-38 Talon being used by the Turkish Air Force for training.
According to TAI the Hurjet has now completed around 400 test flights. As well the Turkish Air Force, Spain ordered 30 Hurjets last month.
