The F110 turbofan engine, which will be used in MMU [MMU is National Combat Aircraft or Milli Muharip Uçak in Turkish, previously known as TAI TF-X], was delivered to Turkey from the United States and will be used in the prototype aircraft.
The news was announced by Abdurrahman Seref Kan, who is the head of the aircraft department of the Presidency of the Defense Industry of Turkey, writes SavunmaSanayiST.com. Kan announced the information to journalists during the 9th seminar on on-air and aeronautical systems.
Sources in Turkey say the prototype of the national fighter jet developed by TAI is due to leave the hangar on March 18, 2023. Although it is not known if one or more F110 engines are currently delivered to Turkey, they will have to be delivered at least 10 units of this engine model for test activities.
It is known that three prototype MMU Block 0 and one prototype MMU Block I will be produced by TAI. It is known that 8 of the 10 F110 engines planned to be delivered by TAI will be used in these prototypes [two engines per aircraft] and the other 2 engines will be delivered for backup purposes.
Turkish engines
However, the F110 will not be the engine that will power mass-produced Turkish aircraft. According to Turkish sources, Ankara is developing its own engine for its next-generation fighters together with the British company Rolls-Royce. The Turkish side is Kale Arge.
In this regard, here are the goals of the Turks: The engine should have a supercruise without afterburning, low IR signature, high fuel efficiency, and traction capacity of 29,000 pounds. In addition, the engine must be properly structured for the MMU to reach speeds of Mach 1.8 per 40,000 feet.
When is the MMU’s first flight?
The first prototype of the aircraft is planned to leave the hangar on March 18, 2023, with running engines and start ground tests. The first flight of MMU Block 0 is scheduled for the end of 2026.
TAI plans to complete the production of three prototypes of MMU Block 0 by the end of 2026. From 2029, it aims to begin production of the MMU Block I configuration and deliver 10 A / C MMU Block I to the Turkish Air Force. If all goes well, the Turkish Air Force will declare the IOC / FOC MMU in the first half of the 2030s.
Source: bulgarianmilitary.com
