Dassault Systèmes enters Turkey TF-X fighter jet development program.

Dassault Systèmes today announced that Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. chose the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to accelerate the development of the TF-X aircraft, the newest and largest aviation development project in Turkey. The decision follows Turkish Aerospace’s comprehensive evaluation of solutions available on the market and the successful completion of a proof of concept. It also reflects Dassault Systèmes’ 30-year legacy that continues to shape the aerospace and defense industry.

A scale model of the TAI TF-X project showcased during DSA 2018 exhibition

Turkish Aerospace will use the Winning Program, Co-Design to Target, Test to Perform, Ready for Rate and Build to Operate industry solution experiences based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to develop its next generation, multirole aircraft from design through production. More than 2,000 project participants at Turkish Aerospace, its partners and suppliers will collaborate by relying on a single source of data across all digital design, engineering, simulation, manufacturing, business analytics and governance applications.

“The size of the TF-X Program presented us with an opportunity. We wanted to select a software solution suitable for this project that also allows us to streamline our business process with Aerospace best practices,” said Temel Kotil, President/CEO, Turkish Aerospace. “Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its integrated applications convinced us of the need for taking a next step. Our company will gain extensive capabilities for aviation design, development and production, and be able to demonstrate its determination to accomplish large projects.”

“Aircraft development, considered one of the most technologically advanced projects in any industry, is growing more complex. As companies integrate sophisticated systems and technologies, they seek new ways to conceptualize, design, manufacture, test, certify and sustain products while collaborating across functions and geographies,” said David Ziegler, Vice President, Aerospace & Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides them with the digital capabilities to accelerate such programs by up to 50 percent. Turkish Aerospace can therefore improve decision-making, reduce risks, and transform its end-to-end development.”

First delivery to TurAF is planned for 2029 and will continue until 2039. Turkey’s need for the TF-X fighter jet would be 100-150 aircraft. 

According to TAI, the TF-X fighter jet will be a single seat multi-role aircraft mainly designed for air-to-air role with a consideration for air-to-surface capability as well. It will feature stealth and super cruise capabilities, as well as new generation avionics, such as AESA radar.

Upon engineering analysis, preliminary studies, based on information received from engines manufacturers, the TF-X would have a twin-engine configuration. In this regard, an initial agreement has been signed between TAI and BAE Systems on January 28th, 2017, in the presence of Prime Ministers of Turkey and UK. Two companies are actually bidding for the TF-X engines: GE Aviation with the F414-GE-400 and Eurojet with a improved version of the EJ-200 engine.