TUSAŞ T-70 General Purpose Helicopter

TUSAŞ T-70 General Purpose Helicopter is an aircraft developed under the Turkish General Purpose Helicopter Program (TUHP), led by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) as the prime contractor. This platform is a locally developed variant of the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, produced under license in Türkiye and integrated with indigenous avionics and engine systems. The primary objective of the program is to meet the total requirement of 109 units of general purpose helicopters for the Turkish Armed Forces and six other public institutions, while significantly increasing the domestic industry contribution during this process.

TUSAŞ T-70 General Purpose Helicopter (TUSAŞ)

Design Philosophy and Structural Manufacturing Capabilities

The T-70’s design architecture is based on the global operational reliability and high mission effectiveness of the S-70/Black Hawk family. The project was formally initiated with a contract signed in 2016, which guaranteed technology transfer and licensed production from Sikorsky.

• Local Production Components: Under the license agreement, TUSAŞ has acquired the capability to manufacture the helicopter’s key structural components domestically. These include critical elements such as the fuselage, cockpit, main rotor blades, tail system, and cabin. As a subcontractor, Alp Aviation has also contributed to the production of landing gear assemblies, gear box components, and parts of the dynamic systems. This localization effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce external dependency during the helicopter’s lifecycle for logistics support and maintenance.
• Technical Capacity: The T-70 has a capacity to carry two crew members and up to 12 to 15 personnel. Its maximum takeoff weight is 9,979 kg, which can be increased to 10,659 kg with external loads.

Power System Details: T700-TEI-701D Engine

The helicopter’s propulsion system consists of two T700-TEI-701D turboshaft engines, produced at TEI’s facilities in Eskişehir under license from General Electric.

• Production and Localization: TEI has achieved a local content rate of over 50% in engine production by performing critical processes such as assembly, testing, and maintenance using domestic capabilities. The number of engines delivered by TEI reflects the progress of the project.
• Engine Performance: The twin-engine configuration is a critical factor enabling the helicopter to operate effectively in challenging geographical and climatic conditions, particularly in high altitude and hot environments (Hot and High).

TEI T700-TEI-701D Engine (TEI)

Avionics and Electronic Warfare Systems

The most significant distinctions of the T-70 from the standard S-70i platform are the avionics and electronic systems developed locally by ASELSAN.

• Integrated Modular Avionics System (IMAS): ASELSAN’s IMAS system integrates flight, navigation, mission management, and communication functions through a modern digital cockpit. This integration aims to optimize the pilot’s workload.
• Electronic Warfare and Survivability Systems: To enhance self-protection against threats, the helicopter is equipped with the Helicopter Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System (HEWS/HEHSİS) developed by ASELSAN. This system encompasses radar, missile, and laser warning systems and provides automated countermeasure deployment capabilities.
• Surveillance and Targeting: An ASELFLIR-400/410 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera system has been integrated, offering high-resolution imaging for day and night operations. This system is used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision targeting. The project has also earned international awards for ASELSAN and TUSAŞ.

Operational Status and Delivery Process

The TUHP program focuses on meeting the requirements of six different user institutions — the Turkish Army Command, Turkish Air Force Command, Gendarmerie General Command, Special Forces Command, General Directorate of Security, and General Directorate of Forestry — through a single platform.

• Delivery Commencement: The first prototype of the helicopter exited TUSAŞ hangars in 2019. The first series production delivery was made to the Gendarmerie General Command on 13 December 2022. Deliveries to other institutions, including the Turkish Air Force, have continued.
• Current Delivery Performance: Sources indicate that a total of 11 to 12 T-70 helicopters were delivered to users during 2023.
• Multifunctional Roles: In addition to military personnel and cargo transport, the T-70 is also employed in civil missions. For instance, the configuration for the General Directorate of Forestry includes a 2,700 kg water-capable Bambi bucket and plays an active role in firefighting operations.

TUSAŞ T-70 Firefighting Helicopter with former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)

International Restrictions and Program Progress

The T-70 project’s total production target of 109 units faces a risk of delay due to export license restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States on Türkiye.

• Licensing Issues: Production approval has been granted for approximately 38 helicopters in the initial phase of the program. However, continuation of production for the remaining 71 helicopters depends on approval from the U.S. Congress for license renewal. Sikorsky’s parent company, Lockheed Martin, publicly announced in 2024 that it had temporarily suspended certain activities under the program due to these restrictions. This situation represents a critical international factor affecting the project’s final completion timeline and the targeted total delivery number.
• Technological Legacy: Despite these constraints, the project has left behind significant technological experience and infrastructure for Türkiye’s defense industry in the fields of engine production, avionics integration, and structural component manufacturing. This knowledge base forms the foundation for TUSAŞ’s transition in the medium term to entirely indigenous projects such as the larger T925/T-929 general purpose helicopter, which is planned to succeed the T-70.