Turkish Aerospace Industries has launched modernisation work on the Turkish air force's Northrop T-38 trainers, with the first aircraft to undergo work having arrived at its Akinci facility near Ankara.
A total of 55 T-38As will be modernised under the "Ari" (Bee) project, which was contracted by Turkey's defence industries undersecretariat (SSM) in June 2006. The first five aircraft will be completed by TAI during a prototype phase, with the remainder to be modified at the air force's Eskisehir maintenance and supply centre.
The main element of the upgrade will be to introduce an indigenously designed mission computer, with additional elements including cockpit display, communications and data recorder system enhancements.
Source: Flight International
