Turkey Successfully Tests Gokbey Multi-role Helicopter: Designed To Face Difficult Geography And Bad Weather

JAKARTA - The fourth unit of the Gokbey, Turkey's first multi-role helicopter, successfully took off for the first time, the head of the company developing the helicopter said late Tuesday.

Temel Kotil, head of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), made the related statement via his Twitter account. He shared a photo of Gökbey during the test.

“I am happy to share with you our 4th #GÖKBEY test flight, which took off for the first time. I would like to thank all my valued colleagues who are working day and night. We will always continue to work for more,” he wrote like reported Daily Sabah May 18.

The Gökbey T625 helicopter is being developed as part of the Original Helicopter Programme, which is coordinated by the Defense Industry Presidency (SSB).

This six-ton twin-engine aircraft, designed for high mission flexibility even in the most difficult geographic environments and adverse weather conditions, is being developed in response to the increasing market demand for higher mission flexibility in this class.

The earlier T625 prototype was powered by a pair of LHTECs and a CTS800 4-AT turboshaft engine each having 1,373 shaft horsepower, built in partnership with Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.

If nothing goes wrong, this helicopter will soon be powered by a domestically produced engine produced by TAI's subsidiary, TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI).

The second prototype of the TEI-TS1400's first domestic helicopter engine, TS4, was successfully commissioned in January 2021, following the initial operation of the first prototype.