SSB Will Open Tender Soon for Phase-II Phase of MMU/TF-X Engine Development Project!
In order to determine the Main Contractor for the Phase-II studies, which is the second phase in the development process of the new generation original turbofan engine that will power the National Combat Aircraft (MMU/TF-X) designed to meet the operational needs of the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2070. A tender will be opened by the Defense Industry Presidency (SSB) in the coming days. According to the information I have received, Kale and TEI Firms will be able to bid for the Phase-II tender of the MMU/TF-X Engine Development Project, in addition to TRMotor Power Systems (TR-M), which carries out Phase-I studies.
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According to the information I got from a source close to the project, the aim of the tender is to find the best solution rather than competing with the companies. First of all, it will be looked at which company will propose the best solution, and then the task will be shared between the three companies that submitted the offer. When Phase-II studies are completed, a tender will be issued for Phase-III. The project will be implemented in phases. According to the information I have received, TRMotor will submit its bid to the tender together with an engine OEM company. I'm guessing that this company is Ukrainian Ivchenko Progress, who is collaborating on MMU original engine works and is currently the technical support provider in the development of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU - Auxiliary Power Unit) and Air Turbine Start System (ATSS - Air Turbine Start System) solutions.
I had previously received information from a source close to the MMU/TF-X Project that TRMotor and Ivchenko Progress will collaborate on the development of a new engine called TF-141 as part of the next generation engine requirement for the MMU/TF-X. Ivchenko Progress representative, whom I had the opportunity to meet during the SAHA Expo 2021 Defense, Aerospace Industry Fair, stated that they proposed the AI-9500 Turbofan Engine based on the AI-322F engine within the scope of the MMU/TF-X Engine Development Project. However, a TRMotor representative, whose opinions I consulted, stated that the proposal for the AI-9500F with a thrust capacity of 9,500kgf (approximately 21,000lbf) is no longer on the agenda, and that this engine, designed 10 years ago, is an old proposal. The AI-9500F was previously proposed as a co-development option for the HAL Tejas LCA Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) during the Aero India 2009 Exhibition, but chose the GE product F404-GE-IN20 Turbofan Engine for its Indian needs. Having supplied approximately 45 engines for the first pack of 40 aircraft, HAL signed a US$716 Million contract with GE Aviation in August 2021 to supply 99 F404-GE-IN20 Engines for an additional 83 LCA Mk1 Aircraft.
As far as I know, on April 20, 2017, Defense Industry Technologies (SSTEK) A.Ş. TRMotor, founded by SSTEK A.Ş and currently owned by SSTEK A.Ş and TUSAŞ, is positioned like a top mind in the process of designing and developing a new generation engine in order to meet Turkey's military and civil aircraft engine needs, especially the MMU/TF-X Program. and to coordinate the existing capabilities in the sector in line with this goal (such as company X in the hot section, company Y in charge of the cold section). According to the information I have obtained, the thrust power has also been clarified within the scope of Phase-I, where the Conceptual Design studies of the new generation original turbofan engine to be developed for the MMU/TF-X Aircraft are carried out. However, this information cannot be shared with the public at the moment. The total weight of the engine is calculated as approximately 2 tons. The original turbofan engine, which will be designed in accordance with the requirements of the 5th generation engine, will also have 'supercruise' and 'stealth' features.
The weight of the 29,000lb class F110-GE-129 Engine is given as 1,805kg, while the weight of the 32,000lb class F110-GE-132 Engine is given as 1,837kg. The thrust of the F110-GE-132 Engine, which is open to growth, can be increased up to 36,000lb with a 10% growth to be achieved thanks to the technological improvements to be made. Therefore, I expect the MMU/TF-X Engine to be a 5th generation engine that will be developed over the F110 Engine, which Turkey has been carrying out parts production, final assembly and testing activities for many years and is well known.
Very good move to involve all the turbine engine developers and producers in Turkey in the design and development of the indigenous turbofan engine.
