Stirling Dynamics has been awarded a contract from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to provide technical assistance in the areas of loads and aeroelastics for the Hurjet aircraft programme. The Hurjet is a twin-seat, single-engine supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, which will replace the Turkish Airforce's T-38 trainers.

This contract builds on previous support provided by Stirling Dynamics, which was initial consultancy to support TAI up to the Hurjet's preliminary design review (PDR). Under the new contract, the company will be supporting TAI's engineering team as they work towards critical design review (CDR). Stirling engineers will be providing support in several formats involving training and guidance, expert review, and off-site work packages. Technical areas of interest include flight and gust loads, buffet, flutter and validation testing.

Stirling says it is well placed to carry out this work due to its extensive experience supporting new aircraft design programmes across a range of aircraft through to certification and having an extensive background and proficiency in aircraft loads and aeroelastics. Henry Hackford, Stirling's Aerospace Technical Services Business Unit Manager, comments: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work TAI again on their indigenous aircraft development programme. The Hurjet contract is the realisation of a long-standing dialogue with TAI and provides an exceptional opportunity for us to demonstrate our key strengths."

TAI is expecting to conduct the Hurjet's maiden test flight in 2022.