Historic engine agreement between Türkiye and the USA!

Türkiye took an important step towards increasing its power in the defense industry. US aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aerospace, Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) and TUSAŞ Motor Sanayii A.Ş. Signed a new agreement with (TEI) for Hürjet aircraft. Within the scope of this agreement, the integration of the GE-manufactured F404 turbofan engine into the new versions of Hürjet will be carried out.

TEI undertakes the assembly, testing, maintenance-repair and revision works of the F404 engine!

According to the agreement, TEI will carry out the assembly, testing, maintenance-repair and revision operations of the F404 engine. This will pave the way for TEI to offer similar services internationally. TEI’s engine maintenance and repair capabilities will not only be limited to Hürjet aircraft in Turkey, but will also be able to serve other countries that use this engine.

If we briefly talk about GE’s F404 engine, we can say that it is known for its high performance and reliability. He will also play a critical role in the development and operationalization of Hürjet.

Hürjet will replace the T-38 and F-5 aircraft in the coming years and will be used in Turkey’s training and light attack missions. Because this aircraft, which is 13.4 meters long and has a wingspan of 11 meters, was designed to reach a maximum altitude of 45 thousand feet (about 14 km).

Another important dimension of the agreement is that it is in line with Turkey’s goals of reducing foreign dependency in the defense industry and increasing domestic production capabilities. The maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement signed between GE and TEI at the Paris Air Fair 2023 shows us this.

F404-GE-402 engine features:

General features

• Medicine: Turbofan with afterburner
• Length: 154 inches (390cm)
• Diameter: 35 inches (89cm)
• Curb weight: 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)

Components

• Compressor: axial, 3 fans and 7 HP stages
• Burners: circular
• Turbine: 1 LP and 1 HP progressive

Performance

• Maximum thrust:
  • 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) minimum thrust
  • 17,700 lbf (78.7 kN) with afterburner
• General pressure rating: 26:1
• Bypass value: 0.34:1
• Air mass flow: 146 lb/s (66 kg/s)
• Fuel consumption:
  • Minimum thrust: 0.81 lb/(lbf⋅h) (23 g/(kN⋅s))
  • With full afterburner: 1.74 lb/(lbf⋅h) (49 g/(kN⋅s))
• Thrust to weight ratio: 4.8 (empty), 7.8 (with afterburner)