Page 82 - Global Power Turkish Defence Industry

Global Supply F-35 Production Industrial Participation opportunities for Turkish companies are expected to reach
Chain more than $12 billion..

Manufacturing F-35 Developing manufacturing approaches Currently is the Manufacturing 40% of the F-35 Electrical Havelsan has been
production airframe for advanced optical components, which sole source supplier Wiring & Interconnection System (EWIS) instrumental as the Turkish
structure and assemblies, are part of the F-35 Electro Optical for two major F-35 and will also deliver and support TAI lead for developing the
production landing gear Targeting System. They are also working components – with all center section wiring systems. construct of the future Turkish
components and over 100 with Northrup Grumman on the F-35 missile remote Fokker Elmo is also developing the EWIS F-35 Integrated Pilot and
F135 production engine CNI Avionic Interface Controller and will interface unit and for the F135 engine, for which a major Maintenance Training Center
parts to include titanium initiate full scale production activities in the panoramic share is produced in Fokker Elmo Turkey (ITC) and associated training
integrated blade rotors. the near term. cockpit display. in Izmir. systems in Turkey.

TAI has been strategically supporting the F-35 Program since In conjunction with Turkish Aerospace Industries, ROKETSAN and Tubitak-SAGE are the Turkish joint leadership
2008. The company currently supplies production hardware they manufacture and produce F-35 airframe team who strategically manage the development, integration,
that goes into every F-35 production aircraft. In conjunction structures and assemblies. Kale Aero also supports and production of the advanced precision-guided Stand-off
with Northrup Grumman, TAI manufactures and assembles Heroux Devtek as the sole source supplier for all Missile (SOM-J) which will be carried internally on the 5th
the center fuselages, produces composite skins and weapon three variants landing gear up lock assemblies. Generation F-35 aircraft. Additionally, Lockheed Martin Missiles
bay doors, and manufactures fiber placement composite air Additionally, Kale Aerospace has also established a and Fire Control has partnered with Roketsan, through a
inlet ducts. Additionally, TAI is strategically manufacturing 45 joint venture in Izmir with Pratt & Whitney and is teaming agreement, to jointly develop, produce, market and
percent of the F-35’s including Air-to-Ground Pylons and manufacturing production hardware for the F135 sell the advanced, precision guided Stand Off Missile – Joint
adapters which is Alternate Mission Equipment (AME). engine. Strike Fighter (SOM-J).
Source: www.F35.com

Indigenous In order to meet Turkish Air Force (TurAF) requirements beyond 2030s, Turkey has introduced an
Design indigenous design and development program (TF-X) to replace the aging F-16 fleet of TurAF..

TF-X Program
Within the scope of TF-X Program, Turkey will become one of the few countries to possess the necessary
technologies, engineering infrastructure and production capabilities, once the engineering activities on all
the critical technologies are accomplished (e.g. increased situational awareness, sensor fusion, low
observability, weapon bay, …etc), which are needed by a 5 th generation (or beyond) jet fighter aircraft.
TF-X aircraft is planned to be kept operational in the TurAF inventory until 2070s and will be interoperable
with other critical assets of TurAF such as F-35As.
The TF-X indigenous design and development program prime contract between Undersecretariat for Defense
Industries (SSM) and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI) has been signed on 5th of August 2016.
The timing of this signature alone, is a key demonstrator of Turkey’s determination of running mega-
projects uninterruptedly, even under extraordinary conditions.
Currently, the prime contract covers the initial four (4) years (starting after signature of major subcontracts)
which will end up with completion of preliminary design phase. Within this period beyond the design and
development of TF-X Aircraft, engineering capabilities, technology development activities (for key sensors
like radar, electronic warfare..etc.), test infrastructures establishment and certification processes will be
performed and extensive capabilities for a new generation jet fighter design, development and production
will be gained by Turkish industry. TF-X aircraft will be a multi-role aircraft, it will be designed mainly for air-
to-air role with a consideration to air-to-surface roles as well. Upon engineering analysis, TF-X aircraft will be
a multi-role aircraft, it will be designed mainly for air-to-air role with a consideration to air-to-surface roles
as well. Upon engineering analysis, preliminary calculations, based on received information of suppliers of
candidate engines, TF-X aircraft is decided to be a twin engine configuration.
In this regard a Heads of Agreement (HoA) was signed between TAI and BAE Systems on 28th of January
2017, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, the Letter of
Agreement (LOA) was signed during the IDEF 2017. The TAI-BAE Systems Collaboration Agreement was
signed and entered in to effect on 25th of August 2017.
One of the key ambition and consideration of SSM and TurAF, which is shared by the Turkish industry as
well, is the exportability of TF-X aircraft to key allies and friendly countries. In this regard, Turkey also
welcomes any opportunities for participation of interested countries in a win-win model.

82 TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY