Turkish KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet made its first flight
21 February, 2024 Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet during tests. Photo credits: SavunmaSanayiST The promising Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet made its first flight.
Turkish publication SavunmaSanayiST reported this on its X (ex-Twitter) page. The flight was accompanied by an F-16D fighter jet of the Turkish Air Force. The tests were successful, the aircraft took off, flew the designated route and landed using a braking parachute.
There have been no official comments from the Turkish authorities, the Air Force, or the developer, Turkish Aerospace Industries, on the incident.
Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet during tests. Photo credits: SavunmaSanayiST
Militarnyi recently reported that Ukraine plans to purchase Turkish KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets. Previously, it was reported that due to financial difficulties, Turkey was looking for partners for a fighter development program.
This could reduce the financial burden of the program. Given the Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation in the defense field, the involvement of Ukrainian enterprises in the KAAN development program is quite likely.
KAAN
The development of the aircraft is carried out in stages, so important weapons systems will be installed only on later prototypes. The fighter, previously known as the MMU (Milli Muharip Ucak) or TF-X was officially named KAAN on May 1, 2023.
The Turkish developers have the goal of developing a combat aircraft that will have low radar visibility and high maneuverability. It will be equipped with a modern optical-electronic location system and onboard radar. The production of three MMU Block prototypes is planned to be completed by the end of 2026 and one Block I prototype by 2029.
Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet during tests.
Photo credits: SavunmaSanayiST
The production process of the first prototype of a new Turkish fighter jet was demonstrated in November 2022. It happened on the assembly line of the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI). The Turkish Defense Industries Authority is implementing this project as a prospective replacement for the F-16 fighter jets.
Ground testing of the KAAN prototype was launched in March 2023. The aircraft's first runway run was on 16 March. The aircraft started and moved for some time due to the thrust of jet engines, so it successfully passed the first ground test.
In 2021, the head of TUSAS stated that initially, the TF-X will use foreign-made GE F110 engines, but later, it will use Turkish-made engines from TRMotor.
Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet during tests. Photo credits: SavunmaSanayiST
However, in the summer of 2022, the Turkish Defence Industry Agency announced a competition for the development of a turbofan engine. Two Turkish companies, namely Tusas Engine Industries and TRMotor, applied for the competition.
In July this year, it was reported that Azerbaijan and Turkey agreed to cooperate in the development of a new generation fighter jet.
In September, the first test of the Martin Baker ejection seat to the Turkish KAAN combat aircraft took place in the UK.