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 program’s primary objective is to meet the combined requirement of the Turkish Armed Forces and six other public institutions for a total of 109 units of general purpose helicopters while significantly increasing the domestic industry contribution rate during this process.

^{TUSAŞ T-70 General Purpose Helicopter (}TUSAŞ⁾

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 launched with a contract signed in 2016, which guaranteed technology transfer and licensed production from Sikorsky.

• Local 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. Alp Havacılık, as a subcontractor, has also produced landing gear assemblies, gearbox 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, and with external cargo, this can reach 10,659 kg.

The helicopter’s propulsion system consists of two T700-TEI-701D turboshaft engines, produced under license by TEI (TUSAŞ Motor Sanayii A.Ş.) at its facilities in Eskişehir.

• Production and Localization: TEI has achieved a local contribution 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 high altitude and hot environments (Hot and High).

^{TEI-T700-TEI-701D Engine (}TEI⁾

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 includes radar, missile and laser warning capabilities and provides automated countermeasure deployment.
• Surveillance and Targeting: The ASELFLIR-400/410 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera system has been integrated to provide 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.

The TUHP program focuses on meeting the requirements of six different user institutions—the Army Command, 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, and 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 between 11 and 12 T-70 helicopters were delivered to users in 2023.
• Various Missions: In addition to military personnel and cargo transport, the T-70 is also used for civil missions. For example, the configuration for the General Directorate of Forestry is equipped with a 2,700 kg water-capable Bambi bucket and actively participates in firefighting operations.

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

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.

• License Issues: Approval has been granted for the production of approximately 38 units in the initial phase of the program. However, continuation of production for the remaining 71 units depends on the U.S. Congress approving license renewals. 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 schedule and the targeted total delivery number.
• Technological Legacy: Despite these constraints, the project has left a 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 to future indigenous projects, such as the larger and fully domestic T925/T-929 general purpose helicopter, planned to succeed the T-70 in the medium term.