(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has initiated the assembly activities for the second and third prototypes of the fifth-generation Turkish aircraft “KAAN,” expected to make its maiden flight on December 27.
TAI has informed the local media in Turkey that the assembly of the second prototype of KAAN is anticipated to be completed in the first half of the next year, signifying a significant milestone for the aerospace industry in the Mediterranean country.
The company also stated that the integration of landing systems and flight control computers on the KAAN prototype, scheduled for its maiden flight later this month, has been successfully completed.
All efforts and tests are underway to ensure that the fifth-generation Turkish fighter aircraft achieves its maiden flight by the end of this year, as conveyed by TAI CEO Prof. Temel Kotil to the local media last month.
“We are heading towards that (maiden flight), and it (KAAN) will perform its maiden flight. It needs to perform the maiden flight to let the whole world see it,” he said.
“We are getting closer; all tests (on the KAAN fighter aircraft) are being conducted,” he added, emphasizing that the maiden flight of the KAAN fighter aircraft will mark a significant milestone for Turkey.
He also mentioned that 1,500 engineers at TAI are directly involved in the development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, KAAN.
TAI, the main contractor for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft program, planned to deliver a total of 20 KAAN Block 10 fighter aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by 2028.
By the year 2029, TAI is expected to produce two KAAN fighter aircraft each month, generating an annual revenue of approximately US$2.4 billion (RM9.6 billion).
The fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft is set to replace over 200 F-16 fighter aircraft owned by the Turkish Air Force.
Turkey is intensifying its efforts to develop its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft, “KAAN” after the Mediterranean country was “dropped” from the F-35 program due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 “Triumf” air defense system.
As a partner in the F-35 fighter jet program, Turkey had agreed to acquire 100 F-35 fighter jets, but its participation in Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation fighter jet program was terminated following its decision to purchase the Russian S-400 “Triumf” air defense system from Russia.
Previously known as TF-X or Milli Muharip Ucak (National Combat Aircraft -MMU), KAAN is almost 100 percent domestically developed by Turkey’s defense industry, except for some components such as ejection seats, engines, and the joystick controller.
However, all three foreign components in the KAAN aircraft will be replaced with Turkish-made components as the aircraft development progresses to a more advanced stage.
Initial data indicates that the “KAAN” fighter aircraft will have a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 27,200kg and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of Mach 2. — DSA
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