Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has achieved significant success in the B350 King Air Emergency Manned Reconnaissance Aircraft (AİKU) project, reaching 35 flight hours. This record draws attention as an indicator of TUSAŞ’s experience in the defense industry and the critical role it plays in national defense. This development, which was published in the 139th issue of GökVatan Magazine in February, reveals the success of the AİKU Project.
AIKU Project: High Performance in Challenging Tasks
The 8 B350 King Air Emergency Manned Reconnaissance Aircraft produced by TUSAŞ have been included in the inventory of the Gendarmerie General Command and Land Forces Command and are actively used in emergency missions such as combating terrorism, search and rescue, and organ transplantation. These aircraft, which also play a critical role in natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and avalanches, have completed 7 sorties and reached 525 flight hours. AİKU aircraft are on duty 35/365, 7 days a year, conducting active operations all over Turkey.
These aircraft have become indispensable tools not only in counter-terrorism operations but also in various disaster response operations across the country. The Ground Data Terminal and 18 different Remote Video Terminals deployed in 27 different locations in Turkey ensure that the aircraft continue their operations efficiently.
TAI's Support to AIKU Aircraft
TAI provides maintenance, repair and sustainment operations and logistic support for B350 King Air aircraft. Since 2018, these aircraft, which have undertaken critical missions for the Turkish Armed Forces, have been receiving maintenance and support from TAI’s experienced technical team on a 7/24 basis. TAI continues to provide the high standard of service required by the Armed Forces without interruption by providing logistic support services for reconnaissance aircraft as a single source.
New Contracts and Technological Advances with ASELSAN
Another important development regarding the AİKU Project was the new contracts signed between ASELSAN and TUSAŞ. These contracts cover the development and supply of avionics, communication, radar, electro-optic, electronic warfare, navigation and guidance systems within the scope of the payloads of the aircraft. These contracts, announced by ASELSAN in December 2024, will constitute an important turning point in the defense industry with deliveries to be made between 2024-2028.
AIKU Project and a New Era in the Defense Industry
The B350 King Air Emergency Manned Reconnaissance Aircraft (AIKU) Project demonstrates TAI's strength in the defense industry and its contributions to Turkey's air force. The fact that AIKU aircraft have exceeded the 35 flight hour target reinforces Turkey's success in the defense industry and also shows that another important step has been taken for national security strategies. TAI's successes in this area seem to play an important role in future projects.
