On the occasion of the signing of the cooperation agreement between Turkish Aerospace (TA) and HAVELSAN under the National Combat Aircraft (NCA/MMU) Development Project, Prof. İsmail DEMİR, President of Defence Industries underlined that “By the time the NCA Development Project takes shape, Turkey will secure its place among countries like the USA, the RF and China, with the infrastructure and technology required towards manufacturing of 5th generation combat aircraft.”
In a written statement, Prof. DEMIR stated that the defence industry sector continues its endeavours by implementing the highest level of measures against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Prof. DEMIR also pointed out that the NCA/MMU development efforts continue without any loss of pace as can be seen by the TA and HAVELSAN cooperation agreement.
Prof. DEMIR explained that TA and HAVELSAN will jointly undertake a variety of responsibilities like software development, simulation and maintenance training simulators.
The cooperation of TA and HAVELSAN covers a number of areas including embedded tactical training simulation, maintenance training simulators and engineering support to be provided under several headings: Virtual Test Environment, Project-level Software Development and Cyber Security.
Ahmet Hamdi ATALAY, the General Manager of HAVELSAN stated in his briefing to the AA reporter that NCA/MMU Project, is a source of national pride and will help Turkey ‘move up in the aerospace league.
Pointing out that there are only a few countries capable to manufacture a 5th generation combat aircraft, ATALAY underlined “Hopefully, we will also be joining the league of such countries. The roll-out date is scheduled for the year 2023. This is a project where we will work very hard for years to attain our goal. This product can be referred to as a ‘flying computer’ being a 5th generation combat aircraft. A flying computer on which software of about 20 Million lines will run and hundreds of modular software will work together... Hence, HAVELSAN’s position as a key player in the project is highly expected.”
Stating that HAVELSAN is one of the key players in this project with its experience and capabilities, ATALAY said: “We have in the past written codes surpassing many millions of lines in various large scale projects. We have completed 10 Million lines of code for the Advent Combat Management System, and over 15 Million lines of code for the Turkish Air Force Information System. We have the experience needed to ensure modular development of programs of such sizes and the operation of those modules at high levels of performance.”
“Our competency in the field of aircraft simulation, where we have several ongoing projects as one of the established companies in the world, will make significant contributions to this project. We’ve delivered sophisticated simulators for various platforms including the F-16, trainer aircraft, helicopters and other airborne and land vehicles of many types. We believe that our experience in the field of simulators will provide contributions and benefits of utmost importance for this project,” he added.
Highlighting the fact that HAVELSAN has not been in sight in relation to the project despite all these possible contributions, as the main focus has been on the concept and the mechanical design of the platform so far, ATALAY stated: “Technological, software and operational issues of the project are now on the table; therefore, our role has become more apparent. As a consequence of this, a decision involving us in the project was made after evaluations with business partners including the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the Turkish Air Force and Turkish Aerospace. Thereupon, we established a directorate whose responsibility will be this project only. Hence, we believe that we can make great contributions to this project by combining the experience gained through the F-35 project together with the experience of the Turkish Air Force and HAVELSAN.”
Noting that they have started creating a team for the project, HAVELSAN General Manager ATALAY added, “If you consider this task a software undertaking of more than 20 Million lines of code, the size of the work will obviously require a work-force of some 400-500 engineers. Ultimate goal of the project will probably be around these numbers. The Team is currently working at our premises but soon will move to a new dedicated facility to be constructed for the NCA/MMU Teams at TA, where the Teams will be working altogether.”
