Turkish Utility Helicopter Programme under way
The Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP), contract signed on February 21, 2014, became effective on June 15. During the period between the signing of the contract and the start of the project schedule, Sikorsky, the prime subcontractor of the project, carried out the necessary procedures in accordance with US legislation to receive export licences for the production of these helicopters in Turkey, as well as for other items covered under the contract. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc.), the prime contractor of the project, announced on June 7 that the relevant permissions had been received and the project schedule would begin. In the relevant press releases, it was announced that, following the receipt of US export licences, contracts had been signed between SSM, the prime contractor TAI, the prime subcontractor Sikorsky, and other local subcontractor companies.
According to the information we received from SSM officials concerning the initiation of the project, the process of acquiring export licences was completed with no provisos on any of the issues foreseen by Turkey during the contract signing stage. The fact that no constraints have been imposed by the US Government during the license process is highly significant, both for the continuation of the project and for the licensing procedures. It also serves as an example for Turkey’s other forthcoming projects. This development effectively disproved the claims of those who said that the ‘constraints would not be removed,’ something that had been on the minds of many until now. As is well known, major steps are currently being taken for the development of an indigenous helicopter in Turkey. From this perspective, TUHP is an outstanding project with regards to the development and sustainability of a helicopter industry in Turkey.
The next stages of the project will proceed as follows: First of all, Sikorsky will deliver the technical data package for the helicopter. While System Requirements Review Activities are planned for March 2017 and Preliminary Design Review Activities are planned for October 2017, there are also Critical Design Review Activities planned for August 2018.
Within the context of the project, which has a total budget of nearly $3.5 billion, a total of 109 T70 Black hawk helicopters will be delivered to six different users over the course of the next decade, according to a licensed production model in Turkey. These users are: the Turkish Land Forces Command, the Turkish Air Force Command, General Command of the Gendarmerie, Special Forces Command, the Turkish National Police and the General Directorate of Forestry. While 89 of the helicopters will be configured as utility helicopters, 20 of them will have a firefighting configuration. In addition, TAI will deliver an equal number of helicopters to Sikorsky for sale in other countries. It is also envisaged that the number of helicopters required by Turkey may increase to 300 in the medium and long term.
Task sharing in the project was planned as follows:
TAI, the prime contractor, will produce all main parts such as the cabin, cockpit, tail cone, the horizontal and vertical tails, main rotor pals and tail rotor pals of the T70 helicopters, and will also be responsible for the final assembly processes, tests, and integrated logistic support;
ASELSAN will be responsible for the development and integration of basic avionics, as well as the development of the helicopter cockpit with Sikorsky;
TEI will produce a total of 236 T-700 engines, including spare ones, for the 109 helicopters;
Alp Aviation will undertake the production of the landing gear and the detail parts for the gearbox as well as the production and assembly of the dynamic parts of the helicopter.
Although a significant amount of time has passed between the signing of the contract and the start of the project schedule, the activities included in the project plan, together with those that were planned to be carried out during this period, have continued uninterruptedly. In particular, work on the Integrated Modular Avionics System conducted by ASELSAN, has reached an important stage with the integration of the avionics suite to the prototype helicopter.
Meanwhile, there is an important process ahead for Turkish industry regarding the export aspect of the project. Sikorsky’s export commitment within the context of the project begins from the date the contract was signed and covers the ensuing 30-year period. The exports to be performed within the framework of this commitment, which is based on a specific numbers and values of vehicles over five-year periods, are expected to contribute to Turkey’s 2023 defence export targets. Considering that deliveries for the project will be carried out between 2021 and 2026, it is clear that the Turkish defence industry will need to work very hard during this period.
Following the commencement of the project, on June 22 Sikorsky accepted the first S-70i helicopter manufactured for the TUHP by PZL Mielec, Sikorsky’s affiliate in Poland. The ceremony that was organised for this helicopter was attended by officials from SSM, TAI, ASELSAN, and Alp Aviation. This helicopter, which is the 37th to be manufactured in Poland, will be brought to Ankara early next year and will be used in tests for the avionics suite that will be developed within the context of the TUHP.
http://www.milscint.com/en/turkish-utility-helicopter-programme-under-way/
Anket