http://www.kokpit.aero/tai-snc-tx-ihalesi
According to Turkish sources SNC/TAI will have new partner Airbus USA and Raytheon for Freedom Trainer.
Any source for that and some additional info ??
Here is a recent one:
http://alert5.com/2017/01/26/taiwan-keen-to-develop-its-own-stealth-fighter/
Turkey:
Now:
Cessna T41D >SF-260 > KT-1T > T-38M
2019-2020:
Super Mushak > KT-1T and TAI Hurkus-B > T-38M
2025+
Super Mushak > TAI Hurkus-B > TAI T-X
Taiwan also decided to develope its indigenous stealth fighter.
Some details about the programme:
1. Aircraft serial production expected to start in 2030
2. Turkish Airforce will buy 250 aircraft to replace F-16s
3. RAF plan to modernise its Eurofighter fleet with TF-X avionics
4. New engine to developed based on EJ200 design by RR for TF-X
[ATTACH=CONFIG]250542[/ATTACH]
An image of Freedom Trainer. SNC Claims the trainer uses %30 less fuel than T-38.
TAI Recently designed and took EASA Certificate for Hurkus Turboprop Trainer
Choosing a right plane also means choosing a right engine.
Top 3 contenders NORTHROP GRUMANN/BAE System TX, BOEING/SAAB TX ve Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50 uses standart fighter engine GE F-404.
Where as Raytheon/Leonardo M346 based T100 Trainer use light military turbofan Honeywell/ITEC F124 (28kN thrust)
SNC/TAI Freedom Trainer use mostly commercial 2x Williams FJ44-4M engine (16kN thrust), but the engine used in updated single engine trainers: L-39NG and Leonardo M345
Choosing Williams FJ44-4M will provide enormous cost advantage. Couple of Williams FJ44-4M costs around 5 million dollars. On the other hand Israel bought Honeywell/ITEC F124 + initial logistic support for 30 planes around 735 million dollars..! Also Williams FJ44-4M has low logistic foodprint, low fuel consumption etc…
I think SNC/TAI Freedom Trainer will be very very cost effective solution; which will create more funds for other strategic projects like F-35.
Also
“….Despite the ‘indigenous’ requirement, the NCSIST and AIDC have already reached out to US-based Sierra Nevada Corporation for a possible co-design deal, according to local defence industry sources. Sierra Nevada did not respond for comment…”
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/taiwan-jet-trainer-delayed-10-years/
For Taiwan XAT-5 Project to replace AT-3 Trainer; SNC will provide techincal assitance. SNC is very active on trainer aircraft subject. On the other hand TAI also design TurAF T-X requirement to replace 55 T-38M trainer. Interestingly both Turkey and Taiwan need similar airplane and similar number of airframe (more than 60).
TAI T-X Design
https://store.donanimhaber.com/d2/e2/2d/d2e22d06cb1a76f7b15937ff2b0f76d8.jpg
Taiwan XAT-5 Design:
http://img.dingsheng.com/attachment/forum/201603/10/110021nulbhcn0lbburuz5.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdMfpmAUEAE37f1.jpg
What about D and N Mirage?
Mirage-2000N is probably non-exportable and soon totally replaced by Rafale.
Mirage-2000D is new, will FAF use them beyond 2020?
I think Colombia will purchase Mirage-2000Fs. Are there any other hope for second hand purchase?
First 37 Mirage 2000 had less capable RDM Radar and early M53-5 turbofan engine instead of M53-5P2, they are already 30+ years old. So I assume that they are phased out.
Other 37 Mirage-2000C upgraded to Mirage-2000F (similar to Mirage-2000-5Mk2) 22 seems operational
10 sold to Basil.
18 Mirage-2000 B/C looks operational according to Wiki.
Some nearly 25-30 of them has been lost to accidents
I think there should be roughly 30 relatively new Mirage-2000C/B (RDI Radar and P2 engines) has been retired.
I have a question, what did happen to French Airforce Mirage2000s?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Air_Force#Aircraft_inventory
According to wiki only 22 Mirage2000F and 18 Mirage-2000B/C is in inventory. Originally French Airforce procured 124 Mirage-2000C (37 of them converted to Mirage2000F) and 30 Mirage2000B.
There is 100 Mirage missing; did they simply phased out?
I think today Super Tiger could be still operational some countries if the project continued.
Very interesting topic relatively few discussed
Are there any recent upgrade on Su-24M2 and Tornado GR4?
Did Mig-23 carry air to ground smart munitions?