The TF-X (Turkish Fighter - Experimental) is a proposed all-season air superiority twin-engine fighter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in collaboration with BAE Systems. The aircraft is expected to replace the Turkish Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcons and to be exported to foreign air forces. The Turkish National Defense Ministry has stated that TF-X will make its first flight by 2023, but this was later delayed to 2025.
The TF-X (Turkish Fighter - Experimental)
- Thread starter lomcovak
- Start date
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vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Its a good looking aircraft, I wonder why they did not put a full canopy on it instead of restricting rearward vision.
I'm not sure it would restrict vision practically. Don't forget, there's a headrest behind the pilot blocking the view as well, the helmet will restrict peripheral vision, and a four-point harness will limit physically turning around to look.
- Thread starter
- #6
Interesting!
I'm unfortunately about to disappoint everyone who thought the mock-up that was showcased in Paris is the actual aircraft. There have been plenty of developments regarding the program since 2020. I'll try give as much insight as humanly possible.
2021
-An additive manufacturing machine was purchased.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries signs a protocol with TRMotor for the development of the APU and the ATSS.
-Russia reinstated their interest on joining the program.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries released an animation showcasing their upcoming wind tunnel test facility. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfttRuW7jik
-Turkish Aerospace Industries showcased TF-X's capabilities at a presentation made during the Anatolian Eagle exercise. See below:
(note the updated design)
-Turkish Aerospace Industries commenced digital twin studies of the aircraft.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries manufactures the first part of the MMU prototype. The part in question is the the main carrier part that separates the Avionics Compartment and the Side Arms Compartment in the Front Mid-Frame. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries officially selects the GE F110-GE-129 engines to power the prototypes and possibly the initial production variants.
-TF-X's titanium bulkhead was spotted at the engineering facilities. See below:
-TAI's CEO revealed that laser weapon integrations were planned for the aircraft for survivability purposes.
-Updated google earth imagery at the time suggested the assembly facility was nearing completion. See below:
-Turkey's ASPİLSAN revealed that they were working on the lithium ion batteries that will be used on the TF-X/MMU. See below:
2022
-Sciaky revealed they were planning on supplying the world's largest 3D metal electron beam DED printer. They said the following:
"The EBAM machine is going to TAI's Ankara, Turkey plant, where it will 3D print some of the largest titanium aerostructures in the industry. The machine's work envelope stretches beyond 6 meters in length by 2 meters in width by 1.8 meters in height. Deposition rates will exceed 20 kg of metal per hour for many metal alloys. On top of the impressive technical specifications, this unique 3D printer can quickly switch over to an Electron Beam Welder (EBW) for large-scale welding applications. TAI will also have the advantage of combining EB welding and 3D printing functionality for applications that require both technologies."
-Turkish Aerospace Industries showcased further parts that were produced for the aircraft. They also added that 550 parts of the TF-X were produced thus far. See below:
Follow-up will be posted...
2021
-An additive manufacturing machine was purchased.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries signs a protocol with TRMotor for the development of the APU and the ATSS.
-Russia reinstated their interest on joining the program.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries released an animation showcasing their upcoming wind tunnel test facility. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfttRuW7jik
-Turkish Aerospace Industries showcased TF-X's capabilities at a presentation made during the Anatolian Eagle exercise. See below:
(note the updated design)
-Turkish Aerospace Industries commenced digital twin studies of the aircraft.
-Turkish Aerospace Industries manufactures the first part of the MMU prototype. The part in question is the the main carrier part that separates the Avionics Compartment and the Side Arms Compartment in the Front Mid-Frame. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries officially selects the GE F110-GE-129 engines to power the prototypes and possibly the initial production variants.
-TF-X's titanium bulkhead was spotted at the engineering facilities. See below:
-TAI's CEO revealed that laser weapon integrations were planned for the aircraft for survivability purposes.
-Updated google earth imagery at the time suggested the assembly facility was nearing completion. See below:
-Turkey's ASPİLSAN revealed that they were working on the lithium ion batteries that will be used on the TF-X/MMU. See below:
2022
-Sciaky revealed they were planning on supplying the world's largest 3D metal electron beam DED printer. They said the following:
"The EBAM machine is going to TAI's Ankara, Turkey plant, where it will 3D print some of the largest titanium aerostructures in the industry. The machine's work envelope stretches beyond 6 meters in length by 2 meters in width by 1.8 meters in height. Deposition rates will exceed 20 kg of metal per hour for many metal alloys. On top of the impressive technical specifications, this unique 3D printer can quickly switch over to an Electron Beam Welder (EBW) for large-scale welding applications. TAI will also have the advantage of combining EB welding and 3D printing functionality for applications that require both technologies."
-Turkish Aerospace Industries showcased further parts that were produced for the aircraft. They also added that 550 parts of the TF-X were produced thus far. See below:
Follow-up will be posted...
-Turkish Aerospace Industries inaugurated the bird strike test facility. See below:
-It was stated that RR and Kale ARGE were back on course for developing a national engine for the TF-X. There were major disagreements before. See below:
-It was stated that the design of every single part of the aircraft was complete. It was also stressed that approximately 25 million codes were written for the ground test aircraft.
-TF-X's structural engineering head stated that a twin seat variant was being looked into and that they were also planning on reducing the pilot's workload via artificial intelligence.
-At the 9th Air and Avionics Seminar, it was confirmed that the F-110 engines planned for the prototypes were delivered.
-TF-X's cockpit layout was showcased during a presentation made by SSB. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries released certain pictures of the lightning test facility that was being built. It is also possible to spot the assembly facility, which at the time seemed pretty complete. See below:
-According to satellite imagery, it was confirmed that TAI connected the engineering facility with the assembly facility via a bridge. See below:
-At Farnborough 2022, TAI showcased the cockpit mock-up of the TF-X. Inside the cockpit, avionics are visible. It's not a 1 to 1, but it gives you a rough estimate to what it will resemble. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries has revealed that they were working on the construction of an RCS test facility, scheduled to be operational in 2024. See below:
-The first TF-X prototype has been moved to the assembly line. The facilities during this time were relatively empty, as only the frontal fuselage started to appear.
-The maiden flight of the TF-X got revised back to 2025.
-Deputy General Manager of TAI's aircraft division Atilla Doğan revealed that the final assembly activities of the TF-X has commenced.
-TF-X's HMD system was showcased for the first time by ASELSAN. Like the F-35, TF-X is expected to have 360 degree coverage and the helmet has been designed accordingly. FYI these systems are not expected to be integrated straight away. See below:
-TÜBİTAK BİLGEM delivered the IPU and DCU prototypes to be used on GTU-0 (Development and Test Aircraft 0).
-TAAC revealed one of the flight control actuators that is set to be used on the prototype. Looks to be hydraulic. See below:
-Petlas showcased TF-X's tires. See below:
Will continue...
-It was stated that RR and Kale ARGE were back on course for developing a national engine for the TF-X. There were major disagreements before. See below:
-It was stated that the design of every single part of the aircraft was complete. It was also stressed that approximately 25 million codes were written for the ground test aircraft.
-TF-X's structural engineering head stated that a twin seat variant was being looked into and that they were also planning on reducing the pilot's workload via artificial intelligence.
-At the 9th Air and Avionics Seminar, it was confirmed that the F-110 engines planned for the prototypes were delivered.
-TF-X's cockpit layout was showcased during a presentation made by SSB. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries released certain pictures of the lightning test facility that was being built. It is also possible to spot the assembly facility, which at the time seemed pretty complete. See below:
-According to satellite imagery, it was confirmed that TAI connected the engineering facility with the assembly facility via a bridge. See below:
-At Farnborough 2022, TAI showcased the cockpit mock-up of the TF-X. Inside the cockpit, avionics are visible. It's not a 1 to 1, but it gives you a rough estimate to what it will resemble. See below:
-Turkish Aerospace Industries has revealed that they were working on the construction of an RCS test facility, scheduled to be operational in 2024. See below:
-The first TF-X prototype has been moved to the assembly line. The facilities during this time were relatively empty, as only the frontal fuselage started to appear.
-The maiden flight of the TF-X got revised back to 2025.
-Deputy General Manager of TAI's aircraft division Atilla Doğan revealed that the final assembly activities of the TF-X has commenced.
-TF-X's HMD system was showcased for the first time by ASELSAN. Like the F-35, TF-X is expected to have 360 degree coverage and the helmet has been designed accordingly. FYI these systems are not expected to be integrated straight away. See below:
-TÜBİTAK BİLGEM delivered the IPU and DCU prototypes to be used on GTU-0 (Development and Test Aircraft 0).
-TAAC revealed one of the flight control actuators that is set to be used on the prototype. Looks to be hydraulic. See below:
-Petlas showcased TF-X's tires. See below:
Will continue...
-Alp Aviation National Programs Director Hüseyin Arıkan revealed that they are currently producing landing gear subassemblies and detail components for the TF-X. Deliveries expected to start in November.
-TF-X GTU-0's forward fuselage has been fully assembled.
-Mid and aft fuselages are nearing completion.
-The canopy has been delivered.
-The entire aircraft is expected to be on the final assembly line in a relatively short time.
-Like aforementioned, first flight is still expected in 2025.
-The rollout will be made on the 18th of March 2023.
-TEI, TAEC (Kale & RR collab) and TRMotor are currently developing engines for the TF-X. A decision has not yet been made, the programs are expected to merge.
-TF-X's BÜRFİS radar got revealed in ASELSAN facilities. The AESA radar is using GaN technology. See below:
-TF-X GTU-0's forward fuselage has been fully assembled.
-Mid and aft fuselages are nearing completion.
-The canopy has been delivered.
-The entire aircraft is expected to be on the final assembly line in a relatively short time.
-Like aforementioned, first flight is still expected in 2025.
-The rollout will be made on the 18th of March 2023.
-TEI, TAEC (Kale & RR collab) and TRMotor are currently developing engines for the TF-X. A decision has not yet been made, the programs are expected to merge.
-TF-X's BÜRFİS radar got revealed in ASELSAN facilities. The AESA radar is using GaN technology. See below:
Last edited:
Admiral Beez
Major
I suppose some key learnings for BAE will eventually go into the BAE Systems Tempest - Wikipedia
But can Britain really trust Turkey with its tech? The latter seems to balance a thin line between Russia, the Middle East and the West.
But can Britain really trust Turkey with its tech? The latter seems to balance a thin line between Russia, the Middle East and the West.
Don't know. They apparently started recruiting people for the phase 2 of the program. It is TAI that delayed the Phase 2 of the contract, not BAE Systems. That's interesting as well... TAI has been very busy trying to run the program in secrecy. For instance, not a single picture of the aircraft is expected to be released until the rollout ceremony. TAI has also put great emphasis on national test facilities. They don't want info escaping the country.
They always have, geographically, politically, and culutrally. I think that's why they've taken a careful approach to Ukraine. We know who they support, but they've kept the door open for negotiations with Putins
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Does it have an 8-track player too?
No unfortunately but TAI's CEO did speak of laser weapons lmao
buffnut453
Captain
Looks like I'd be wiser to invest in Polyfilla rather than TAI. Lots of panel lines and rivets to be filled there.
As expected
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