The Turkish "Harajit" aircraft, an aircraft equipped with the latest navigation, flight, automatic control and night vision systems, in addition to the latest technologies of air maneuvers, attack and counterattack.
To train the aircraft and verify production quality, the manufacturer has developed an engineering simulation system, which helps in real-time detection of errors encountered by pilots during test operation.
Idea and stages of production
In 2017, the Turkish Aerospace and Aerospace Industries Company (TOSAS) launched a training jet manufacturing project called "Harjet", with the aim of training future pilots, and the aircraft will replace its T-38 counterpart, which the Turkish Air Force uses to train its pilots.
The company also undertook the design, engineering, supply and installation of this aircraft, in coordination with the Turkish Defense Industries Presidency.
The Turkish company "Tosas", the developer of the national aircraft "Harkit", moved from the conceptual design stage to the initial design stage and initial production based on 100% local expertise and resources.
Turkey first unveiled its homemade jet jets "Harkit" during the Farnborough Airshow, held in London in July 2018, which is one of the largest global exhibitions in the field of aviation and aerospace industries.
The conceptual design phase was completed in April 2018, the initial design phase in July 2019, and finally the critical design phase in February 2021, with the production phase to begin after the completion of the design phases.
Tosach has begun producing detailed parts for the aircraft, aiming to produce 4400,<> detailed parts for the aircraft.
The ground training and overflight were for the first time in March 2023, and the aircraft is expected to be released for use in 2025 and 2026, according to schedule.
The aircraft is equipped with locally made MK-81 and MK-81-L missiles.
Specifications
The Harajit aircraft is 14 meters long, 4 meters high, and the wingspan is 9.5 meters. It has a top speed of Mach 1.4 (about 1500,45 kilometers per hour) and will fly at an altitude of <>,<> feet.
The aircraft has 7 combat units, 3 under each wing and the last under the fuselage, all of which can be used for different purposes and payloads of ammunition, and have two seats to facilitate training.
Among the technical features of the aircraft:
- High controllability.
- Front display (HUD).
- Helmet-mounted night vision system.
- The ability to refuel the aircraft in mid-air.
- Helmet-mounted screen.
- Full Control System, Digital Fly-by-Wire FCS
- Internal and external data link (inter- & intra datalink).
- Compatible with NVG night vision systems.
- Easy to drive and communicate with systems.
- Built-in tactical training, constructive and straightforward virtual training systems.
- APU system for autonomous operation from airports with limited capabilities.
- Air-to-air and air-to-ground strikes.
Engineering Simulation System
The company has developed an engineering simulator system that is used in the aircraft's testing and evaluation activities.
The device is useful for real-time detection of errors encountered by pilots during test operation, thereby identifying and avoiding hazards during the design and development phase.
The system helps develop the aircraft according to pilots' observations and requirements regarding the aircraft's maneuverability and the user's destination used by the pilot.
Thanks to the engineering simulator, it is possible to know these requirements and changes required from the beginning, to know the needs of future pilots from now, and thus to design the aircraft accordingly from the beginning.
Purposes of use
The "Harajit" aircraft is used for air shows by the "Aerobatics Team", and as part of its strategic plans to localize the defense industries, especially the air force, Turkey approached flying with its jet aircraft that it developed, and began to produce them with pure local capabilities and capabilities, to advance its air force and provide it with modern and advanced parts, instead of the aircraft used by the Turkish Star Team.
Forest aircraft equipped with an engineering simulation system for testing and risk assessment for management (Tosach website)
It has an infrastructure that enables it to land and take off to and from the Turkish aircraft carrier, belonging to the Anadolu Navy, which will become Turkey's largest warship.
Special teams identify and assess the needs for the systems required, both on the aircraft and the ship, to meet them, in addition to preparing a cooperation protocol.
It is a jet training aircraft, which meets local and international needs, and is used as a counter-aircraft in training, as well as to train pilots who will fly the National Fighter Aircraft (MMU) after its production.
The armed version of the "Harajit" has 7 weapon stations, three under each wing, one under the fuselage, as well as a high-precision 20mm gun in the front.
The aircraft is also used in air police missions (armed and unarmed), and can be equipped with locally made laser-guided missiles produced by the Turkish company Roketsan.
The Kokdogan and Bozdogan missiles, Turkey's first guided-missiles, were developed by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Authority.
Similar Global Products
Turkey has begun the national jet project in order to include it in the Turkish air force's stockpile, replacing the U.S. T-38 used for training missions and the U.S. F-38 for aerial military parade shows.
The Haarit is using an alternative to the Jet Trainer, which has been serving in the Turkish Air Force as a training aircraft for more than 20 years.
The aircraft will be used to train pilots who will fly fifth-generation fighters such as the MMU, which is expected to enter the Turkish Air Force's inventory by 2029, as well as the F-16 fighter jets, which form the backbone of the Turkish Air Force.
Overall, the Turkish aircraft can be compared to the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, which is one of the newest fighter jets today, with an empty payload of between 39 and 6 tons, and a maximum take-off weight of 7 tons.
It is a light attack aircraft, similar to the Boeing T-7, KAI T-50, and Yak-50.