Turkey's defence industries undersecretariat has signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries for the avionics modernisation of 55 Northrop T-38 trainers. The company will upgrade an initial five aircraft under the programme's prototype phase, with the remainder to be modernised at an air force maintenance centre.
To include the integration of a Turkish-developed mission computer and new communications, navigation and safety equipment, the project will extend operations of the T-38 fleet to support Turkey's current Lockheed Martin F-16 and future Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
TAI will launch detailed design work during June on the Turkish air force's turboprop-powered Hurkus primary trainer, which will have a maximum speed of 270kt (500km/h) and a performance envelope from +7g to -3.5g.
Source: Flight International
