New supersonic Hürjet makes first production flight, can reach Mach 1.4 speed

Turkey’s first production Hürjet advanced jet trainer has made its first flight, marking a new step in its development for operational use. Turkish Aerospace flew the aircraft for the first time on August 30, 2026, and it stayed in the air for 18 minutes. The flight came after final assembly, ground checks, and taxi testing. The aircraft is the first Hürjet built in the production configuration planned for the Turkish Air Force. Two earlier aircraft have supported development and flight-test activities. Built for fighter pilot training Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem-seat aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace for advanced and lead-in fighter training. It is designed to prepare pilots for the transition from basic jet trainers to frontline fighter aircraft. The aircraft is powered by a General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan that produces about 17,700 pounds of thrust. Hürjet can fly at speeds up to Mach 1.4 and reach altitudes of 45,000 feet. Its range is listed as 1,060 nautical miles. The aircraft can handle loads of up to +8g and -3g and carry up to 7,500 pounds of external payload. These capabilities also support its planned role in light-combat missions. A new chapter begins for HÜRJET. 🇹🇷✈️On the 104th anniversary of Türkiye’s August 30 Victory Day, the first HÜRJET Jet Trainer destined for the Turkish Air Force has successfully taken to the skies, marking another important milestone on its journey toward operational service. pic.twitter.com/fwrkItJOPT— Turkish Aerospace (@TUSAS_EN) August 30, 2026 Supersonic edge over trainers Hürjet sits in the advanced training category alongside aircraft such as the Leonardo M-346 and KAI T-50. Its ability to fly supersonically gives it a performance advantage over the subsonic M-346. The aircraft’s high-g maneuvering and modern avionics are intended to recreate conditions pilots can encounter in modern fighter aircraft. This allows trainees to gain experience with demanding flight characteristics before moving to more complex combat platforms. Turkey plans to use Hürjet to replace its aging Northrop T-38 Talon fleet. The T-38 first flew in 1959 and remains a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic trainer. Hürjet takes a different approach with a single engine and a digital avionics architecture designed for current fighter-training requirements. The aircraft has also been linked to the eventual replacement of F-5 aircraft used by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. Production testing moves ahead The Hürjet program began in 2017, with its first prototype completing its maiden flight on April 25, 2023. Two prototypes have since been involved in flight testing, including assessments of transonic and supersonic performance. The first production aircraft will now continue flight testing and verification before it is delivered to the Turkish Air Force. The milestone moves Hürjet closer to entering operational training service. The program has also expanded beyond Turkey. Spain selected Hürjet for its new combat training system and plans to acquire 30 aircraft to replace its aging F-5 training fleet. Airbus is working with Turkish Aerospace on the Spanish program, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028. The international order gives Hürjet an early foothold in the European military training market while Turkish production and flight verification continue.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.A versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.