Kaan, formerly known as TF-X, is scheduled to replace the F-16 in the 2030s.
In the early morning of February 21, 2024, less than a year after its launch, a prototype of the TF Khan National Fighter Aircraft flew for the first time, escorted by F-16Ds in a safety pursuit role. The first flight of Turkey's fifth-generation aircraft lasted just 13 minutes, with the aircraft reportedly reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots.
The unique design developed by the Turkish Aerospace Engineering Center is expected to replace Turkey's F-16 aircraft in the 2030s. The first mockups of the aircraft, which are very reminiscent of the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, were unveiled in 2019, with the prototype expected in March 2023.
The Turk's steel wings are in the sky!
May we grow taller and shed our blood.
Light up the world with truth and justice…
our country's fighter plane #differentdevelopment and production @TUSAS_TR I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the team and all stakeholders of the project.#MilliTechnologyHamlesi ✈️🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/X0dtWuZGWg
— Mehmet Fatih Kacir (@mfatihkacir) February 21, 2024
Not much is known about the Kaan's specifications other than an expected top speed of Mach 1.8, a practical upper limit of 55,000 feet, and 58,000 lb of thrust provided by two F110-GE129 engines (the same ones used by the Turkish F-16C Block 50). The Kaan is designed to be interoperable with all assets operated by the Turkish Air Force, including the F-35, should Turkey rejoin the JSF program.
The development of Kaan is considered the most ambitious Turkish program in recent years. Indeed, while Turkish industry has considerable experience in a variety of fields, including the design, development and production of a variety of highly successful drones as well as licensed production of various types, a fully domestic fifth-generation fighter jet would be an entirely different endeavor.
Cannes, #GökVatanI met 🇹🇷.
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Our Chairman. @RTE Erdogan We have made another development in the defense industry that will become one of the milestones of the locality and national vision depicted in 'Our Country's Locality and National Vision'. Thank God…
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ROK military fighter KAAN's first flight in Korea… pic.twitter.com/9KMNP8Qveu— Professor Dr. Haluk Gorgun (@halukgorgun) February 21, 2024
In any case, TAI is undergoing rapid expansion, opening new facilities to support a variety of needs, such as a composite production building, a space systems engineering center, a factory-level component maintenance and control center, and an engineering center. Among the many ongoing projects are the Hürjet National Jet Trainer, which will replace the T-38, the Hürkuş turboprop trainer, the T625 Gökbey utility helicopter and the T129 attack helicopter.
The national combat aircraft, the most important project in Turkish aviation history, has finally taken to the skies. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Have an accident-free and enjoyable flight…
🧿#MMU #different #tie pic.twitter.com/Zbzf6cIQMa— Cem Doğut (@DogutCem) February 21, 2024