LE BOURGET—The CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has revealed the specific first-flight dates for its next-generation fighter and stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) programs, plus confirmed that Ukrainian-built helicopter engine deliveries are continuing despite the ongoing war with Russia.
The Anka-3 flying wing UCAV will fly within two weeks, with a margin of error of plus or minus two days, CEO Temel Kotil told reporters at the Paris Air Show here on June 20.
Meanwhile, TAI’s twin-engine, next-generation fighter named Kaan will fly on Dec. 27, Kotil added.
Both programs are leading TAI’s sweeping portfolio of military and civil aviation development programs, which also include nonstealthy fighters and trainers, plus helicopters and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TAI also unveiled the T925 helicopter at the show. The 10-ton, 20-passenger heavy-lift aircraft is designed to meet a Turkish Navy requirement, Kotil said. First flight of the TC-925—known internally as the “General Purpose 2” helicopter—is scheduled in 2024, Kotil said.
The T925 widens TAI’s portfolio of utility helicopters beyond the T625 Gokbey, a twin-engine light helicopter set for delivery to the Turkish gendarmerie in August, Kotil said.
TAI is also simultaneously developing the T929 ATAK 2 helicopter, a sister aircraft to the T925 designed for heavy attack. The assault version of the helicopter is designed to be powered by a Ukrainian engine: the Motor Sich TV3-117 turboshaft. The Ukrainian supplier delivered the first engine prototypes to Turkey earlier this year despite the disruption caused by the 16-month-old war with Russia.
“In wartime, they built our engines and sent them for the ATAK II,” Kotil said, adding: “They were almost on time. There was some delay. But that’s OK. That’s normal. There was a war on.”
Kotil still believes that Motor Sich can support production plans for the ATAK II, but TAI also has an indigenous option. Turkish Engine Industries is developing the 1,400-shp-class TS1400 engine for the Gokbey, and that architecture can be scaled up to a 2,000-shp engine for the ATAK II and the T925, Kotil said.
“We’re capable to build the engine,” Kotil said.
