Turkey’s government-controlled engine maker Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) has delivered for testing the country’s first indigenous helicopter engine. One of the major weaknesses of the Turkish industry is the lack of engine technology. TEI launched the turboshaft TS1400 program in March 2017. For instance, one of Turkey’s most prestigious “indigenous” programs, the T129 attack helicopter. The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 is produced under license from AgustaWestland. A $1.5 billion export deal with Pakistan for a batch of 30 T129s has long been stalled as it awaits U.S. export licenses, which is required because the helo is powered by an American engine.
TAI launched the program for the 6-ton, multirole Gokbey helicopter in 2013. In the interim, the Gokbey will be powered by the LHTEC CTS8000 engine. LHTEC is a joint venture between British company Rolls-Royce and American firm Honeywell. The TS1400 will eventually replace the CTS8000. The TS1400 features a maximum power output of 1,400 shaft horsepower and a shaft output revolution of 23,000 rpm. The TS1400 was delivered to TAI for testing on Dec. 5. The engine test and design center — inaugurated the same day — would also be used to test future indigenous engines. the next phase in the TS1400 program would be serial production of the engine.
The project have been carried out under the leadership of Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Department of Engine and Power Transmission Systems, under which design, development and testing infrastructure for gas turbine engines will be generated in our country on one hand, and the 1400 shp indigenous and national engine with applicable type certificate have been developed by TEI in order to be integrated into the Indigenous Helicopter, on the other hand. Turboshaft Engine Development Project have been carried out for 8 years by a team of approximately 250 engineers all of whom are TEI employees serving at TEI’s Engineering Offices in Eskisehir, Ankara and Istanbul.
TusaÅŸ Engine Industries (TUSAÅž Motor Sanayii A.Åž.) is a plant dedicated to the production of critical parts for commercial and military aircraft, also producing a marine engines line, its manufacturing center is located in EskiÅŸehir, Turkey. TEI was founded in 1985 as a joint venture between GE Aviation and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, and the Turkish Aeronautical Association. The company started with component manufacturing for the General Electric F110 engine powering the F-16, and is planning other jet engine parts related to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380.
