TR Propulsion Systems

[Pokemonte13]

Tf35000 is a Cooperation between TrMotor and TEI but I believe TEI has been doing most of the work

 

[TheInsider]

TF-10000 update
A scaled version of the afterburner stage is produced and tested.
TF-10000 with a fully integrated afterburner will be tested in 2026.
Early availability in 2027, serial production in 2028.

TF-35000
Some early tests will be conducted in 2026, no other updates as of now.

 

[boredaf]

Tf35000 is a Cooperation between TrMotor and TEI but I believe TEI has been doing most of the work

TRmotor has zero experience with engines, other than APU units. Only thing engine related they had on their website and they shared so far has been stock footage.

 

[uçuyorum]

TRmotor has zero experience with engines, other than APU units. Only thing engine related they had on their website and they shared so far has been stock footage.

TRmotor is owned fully be TAI now so the distinction doesn't even really matter

 

[IC3M@N FX]

I say this cautiously and with reservation.

TRMotor – What it really is and why it is crucial for TF-35000

Many still believe that TRMotor is a "second TEI" but without much experience or a classic engine manufacturer that is new. That is not true.
TRMotor's role is completely different – and absolutely crucial to ensuring that the TF-35000 national fighter jet engine remains ITAR-free.

1. TRMotor is the design authority (IP owner) and thus only a shell that manages the IP legally and strategically.

TRMotor therefore holds the intellectual property rights to the national engine.
This means that:

Specifications

System architecture

Contracts

Patents

Design rights


are NOT held by TEI (where GE is a shareholder), but by TRMotor itself.

This ensures that the US cannot assert any claims or export rights.

2. TRMotor is officially the client – TEI is the developer and manufacturer

The roles are deliberately structured as follows:

TRMotor → state project leader, IP protection, legal independence

TEI → technical developer, materials technology, manufacturing

TÜBİTAK → research base (metallurgy, high-temperature materials)

TAI → integration of the engine into KAAN

This separates the national engine programme from all GE licences and US export rules that historically exist at TEI.

3. TRMotor serves as a legal shield against US influence

If TEI were to run the programme alone, the US could claim:

"GE is a shareholder → so the engine is partly US technology."

With TRMotor as the IP owner, this is out of the question.
This means that the TF-35000 is:

not a derivative

not a fork

not a licensed development

completely independent of the F110

4. Why this is so important

Only with TRMotor can Turkey guarantee that TF-35000:

remains freely exportable

is not subject to ITAR

does not require US approvals

is developed with complete sovereignty

This is the main reason why TRMotor was founded.

> TRMotor = legal project management + IP protection →
TEI = technical developer and manufacturer.

TRMotor ensures that TF-35000 remains 100% national and is not subject to US export controls, even though TEI has historical ties to GE. It is therefore a firewall against the US making claims, which they will do 100% as soon as the engine goes into series production.
They will claim that the TEI TF-35000 uses GE technologies; it does not matter whether this is true or not, it is power politics. Turkey knows this and is putting a stop to it in advance, as the US cannot investigate foreign companies or require them to publish their design plans. With TEI, it would still be possible through GE, but with TRMotor it is impossible. The US has no leverage, but they will still complain, that's for sure.

 

[Shtr]

TF-10000 update
A scaled version of the afterburner stage is produced and tested.
TF-10000 with a fully integrated afterburner will be tested in 2026.
Early availability in 2027, serial production in 2028.

TF-35000
Some early tests will be conducted in 2026, no other updates as of now.

1. TF-What does a scaled version mean? I guess it was already said by Mr. Akşit a few months ago.
2. Is there some information about TF-6000 as well? Mr. Akşit also implied that its power is around 3500 lbf and in each test iteration they try harder. I guess they must be around now 4000 lbf and I expect to be around 4500 in Q1 of 2026 Hopefully 6000 in next year.

 

[Zafer]

TF6000 is in flight preperation state, if they hit 4500 lbf in Q1'26 it can fly on both Anka3 and also on Kızılelma in that time frame for tests and move on from there.

 

[TheInsider]

1. TF-What does a scaled version mean? I guess it was already said by Mr. Akşit a few months ago.
2. Is there some information about TF-6000 as well? Mr. Akşit also implied that its power is around 3500 lbf and in each test iteration they try harder. I guess they must be around now 4000 lbf and I expect to be around 4500 in Q1 of 2026 Hopefully 6000 in next year.

The scaled version of the afterburner stage has all the functions of the full-scale afterburner stage. An afterburner is developed and produced for the first time by TEI, so TEI produced a scaled-down version as a proof of concept. Designing/verifying fuel injectors and aerodynamics of the nozzle are especially important for the afterburner stage.

More test footage will be released in 2026. Both TF-6000 and TF-10000 are being developed in parallel, with emphasis on the TF-10000, but TF-6000 is not on the back burner. 2026 is the critical year for TF-6000/10000 projects and an important milestone for TF-35000.

 

[hugh]

why are we talking about tf6000 and tf10000 as if they're different engines? is TEI developing another core for TF10000? to my knowledge, TF10000 is an add-on with its afterburner section. the engine will need some structural reinforcement for the increased axial loads but the engine, in essence, should stay the same. you cannot have tf10000 without maturing the tf6000 core.

or are they actually developing a different engine from scratch?

 

[Spitfire9]

I would like to receive some information about the TEI TF-35000 if possible.
So far, we have only seen a few PR clips and short test runs of the TF-6000, which seemed more like PR demonstrations than full-fledged test campaigns. I know TEI told us they already finshed more than 1XX Tests with TF-6000 but there is virtually no public material on the TF-10000, and official communication on the TF-35000 is essentially limited to the published design and spec sheet on the TEI website.

According to TEI, the TF-35000 prototype is currently under construction and is scheduled to undergo its first ground tests in early 2026. At the same time, we know that turbofan programmes are traditionally subject to very strict secrecy. Nevertheless, it is frustrating that there is virtually no reliable interim information – except for the statement that the first airworthy prototype is to be integrated into a test aircraft from 2028/29 onwards.

For me, it's very hard to believe that because we won't even see anything about TF-10000 Engine.

From the outset, it was clearly communicated that the TF-6000 and TF-10000 engines would primarily serve as technological test beds. They will be used to test all critical key technologies for the TF-35000: modern FADEC systems, high-strength metallurgy, single-stage blisk blades made of single-crystal superalloys, pressure-stable high-temperature combustion chambers, etc., as well as advanced thermal protection and barrier coatings that must be able to withstand operating temperatures in excess of 1,700+ °C on a continuous basis. These technologies are essential for reliably advancing into the 35,000 lbf thrust class in the future.

I have no knowledge about TF-35000 beyond what I read here and in the online media. Given the secrecy involved with turbofan design, how far work on TF-6000 and TF-10000 has advanced may be unknowable to all outside the projects. My guess, though, is that FTB testing in 2028 is very improbable... but what do I actually know? Nothing.