Article Posted on : - Jul 02, 2012

The Hurkus basic trainer jet. A TAI photo

ANKARA (BNS): Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has rolled out the first locally built primary and basic trainer aircraft 'Hurkus' designed for the Turkish Air Force.

The new single engine turboprop jet was unveiled at TAI's Kazan facility on June 27.

Several distinguished military and civilian officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel were present during the occasion, the company said.

TAI had received the contract in 2006 to design, develop and manufacture 'Hurkus' with day and night mission capability; instrument flight, navigation and formation training phases.

Within the framework of the programme, two aircraft configurations are being developed - Hurkus-A as the basic trainer variant and Hurkus-B as the advanced version with integrated avionics.

The trainer jet can fly at a maximum speed of 574 km/h.