Daimler-Benz Aerospace (Dasa) is trying to breathe new life into its Ranger 2000 jet-trainer programme by offering the aircraft to meet an emerging requirement in Turkey.
The Turkish air force is looking for a trainer to replace an ageing fleet of about 75 Lockheed T-33s. Sources close to the Ranger 2000 programme say that the aircraft is being proposed in a package which could include Turkish production.
The Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C-powered Ranger 2000 was developed, together with Rockwell, as a candidate for the US Joint Primary Aircraft Training System requirement won by the Beech Pilatus PC-9 MkII.
A Turkish defence delegation has recently visited the Malat unmanned-air-vehicle (UAV) plant of Israel Aircraft Industries for demonstrations and talks leading to the possible sale of the Searcher UAV to the Turkish Army.
Source: Flight International
