Turkish Aerospace Industries has unveiled the first prototype of the T-625 Turkish light utility helicopter (TLUH) developed for civilia...
Turkish Aerospace Industries has unveiled the first prototype of the T-625 Turkish light utility helicopter (TLUH) developed for civilian and military applications at the IDEF 2017, defense exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey.
The T-625 has been developed indigenously by TAI leveraging expertise acquired through the T-129 attack helicopter development carried out in cooperation with Italian Leonardo.
The twin engined utility/transport helicopter in the five ton weight category can seat 12 passengers and will also have air ambulance and search and rescue variants.
Military variant will replace the ageing fleet of Bell UH-1Hs operated by Turkish armed forces.
The helicopter will have a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 km/h), range of more than 740 km and can operate up to an altitude of 20,000 ft.
Development of the TLUH commenced in 2013 with contract award by Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) to TAI in 2013.
The T-625 will feature avionics system supplied by Turkish Defense Electronics firm Aseslan. Spanish CESA supplies the hydraulic systems of the helicopter that include the retractable landing gear and its actuation systems.
The T-625 will be powered by two LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines rated at 1373 shp each. The engine is manufactured by a 50-50 partnership between Rolls Royce and Honeywell.
