Demir said, “The 3rd prototype of our Gökbey helicopter, whose certification test activities continue, successfully performed its first flight. With this flight, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, we included a new prototype in flight test activities.”
Gökbey is an Indigenous Helicopter Program carried out to meet the general-purpose helicopter needs of the Turkish Armed Forces and other authorities. It was formerly launched as T-625.
The program budget and calendar were defined by the SSIK of January 3, 2013. A contract was signed between the SSM and TUSAS on June 26, 2013.
GÖKBEY General-Purpose Helicopter is designed and manufactured using national means and capabilities. Launched based on the knowledge, experience and talent pool acquired during the ATAK Program, the Original Helicopter Program features the design and manufacture of critically important systems such as structural and avionics systems, transmission, rotor and landing gear using fully national resources.
The helicopter can carry out carriage, VIP, cargo, air ambulance, search and rescue and offshore transport missions.
The first General-Purpose Helicopter manufactured by domestic means, GÖKBEY flew for the first time on September 6, 2018, and is projected to be serially manufactured by 2021.
The helicopter is pending certification by EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) and SHGM (Civil Aviation General Directorate).
