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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has displayed concept designs for Turkey's indigenous fifth generation F-X fighter programme at the IDEF 2013 defence exhibition, the first they have been shown publically.
TAI displayed images of three different potential single seat concept designs: a single engine, conventionally laid out aircraft; a single engine aircraft, equipped with canards; and a twin engine, conventionally laid out fighter.
All three concepts feature elements traditionally associated with fifth generation aircraft, including a design optimised for low radar cross-sectional density, internal weapons bays, and the ability to super cruise, Huseyin Yagci, TAI's chief engineer on the F-X programme told IHS Jane's at IDEF.
According to Yagci, the two single engine concepts will have a maximum take-off weight of between 50,000 lb and 60,000 lb, while the twin engine aircraft will have a maximum take-off weight of between 60,000 lb and 70,000 lb.
The future F-X fighter is intended to eventually replace Turkey's Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, and other aircraft, and will augment the country's planned buy of 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.
IDEF 2013: TAI reveals fifth generation fighter designs
The plan is that they will be operational sometime in the early 2020s and compliment Turkey's fleet of 116 U.S.-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
But a big question remains for nations developing manned stealth jets: Are they even needed given the advent of stealth drones like the U.S. Navy's X-47B, France's nEUROn and Britain's Taranis that can perform reconnaissance and ground attack missions -- and even land on aircraft carrier decks? One can only imagine what unmanned planes under development 10 years from now will be capable of doing.
http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/05/09/pic_of_the_day_turkey_is_trying_to_join_the_stealth_fighter_club
TAI displayed images of three different potential single seat concept designs: a single engine, conventionally laid out aircraft; a single engine aircraft, equipped with canards; and a twin engine, conventionally laid out fighter.
All three concepts feature elements traditionally associated with fifth generation aircraft, including a design optimised for low radar cross-sectional density, internal weapons bays, and the ability to super cruise, Huseyin Yagci, TAI's chief engineer on the F-X programme told IHS Jane's at IDEF.
According to Yagci, the two single engine concepts will have a maximum take-off weight of between 50,000 lb and 60,000 lb, while the twin engine aircraft will have a maximum take-off weight of between 60,000 lb and 70,000 lb.
The future F-X fighter is intended to eventually replace Turkey's Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, and other aircraft, and will augment the country's planned buy of 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.
IDEF 2013: TAI reveals fifth generation fighter designs
The plan is that they will be operational sometime in the early 2020s and compliment Turkey's fleet of 116 U.S.-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
But a big question remains for nations developing manned stealth jets: Are they even needed given the advent of stealth drones like the U.S. Navy's X-47B, France's nEUROn and Britain's Taranis that can perform reconnaissance and ground attack missions -- and even land on aircraft carrier decks? One can only imagine what unmanned planes under development 10 years from now will be capable of doing.
http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/05/09/pic_of_the_day_turkey_is_trying_to_join_the_stealth_fighter_club