(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkish engine manufacturer, TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI), has announced that the domestically produced engine intended for the country’s fifth-generation fighter jet, “KAAN,” is nearing completion.
TEI is a joint venture between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and General Electric Aerospace (GE Aerospace).
“The TF10000 engine, capable of producing 6,000 lbf of thrust and intended for use in both manned and unmanned platforms including the KAAN fighter jet, is nearly ready,” TEI’s head, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, recently told Turkish media.
The country’s defense industry agency, SSB, is set to announce the development of the TF10000, its most powerful engine to date.
Aksit explained that the TF10000 turbofan engine is an upgraded version of the earlier TF6000 turbofan engine and represents the most powerful engine TEI has developed so far.
Both the TF10000 and TF6000 engines were showcased at last year’s “Teknofest,” an aerospace and technology exhibition held in Izmir, Turkey.
The TF10000 turbofan engine currently under development is more advanced than the version presented at Teknofest.
During the current flight testing phase, all KAAN prototype aircraft are equipped with GE’s F110 engines, which will eventually be replaced by the locally developed turbofan engines from TEI.
In addition to the KAAN aircraft engine, TEI has also developed the PD170 engine for the Aksungur drone and other drones produced by companies like Baykar Technology and TAI.
Aksit stated that TEI has the capability to develop all types of engines for various platforms, including fighter jets, drones, helicopters, and missiles.
TEI plans to launch an engine that will power TAI’s ATAK-2 attack helicopter.
A few weeks ago, Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet, “KAAN,” completed its maiden flight, marking a historic moment for the Mediterranean country, which initiated the project around eight years ago in 2016.
The inaugural flight of “KAAN” drew international attention as Turkey managed to produce a fifth-generation fighter jet in a significantly shorter timeframe compared to other countries such as the United States with its F-22 Raptor and F-35, Russia with the Su-57, and China with the J-20 “Mighty Dragon.”
TAI is the principal contractor for the “KAAN” development project and is also responsible for developing the “Anka” drone, which Malaysia is set to operate next year, the “HURJET” light combat aircraft, the “HURKUS” basic training aircraft, and various other aerospace products.
Currently, almost all components of the “KAAN” prototype fighter jets are domestically produced, except for the engines and ejection seats.
“We plan to supply 20 ‘KAAN’ fifth-generation fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force by 2028,” said Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
The “KAAN” fighter jet is intended to replace Turkey’s F-16 fighter jets, which are scheduled to be phased out in the 2030s. — DSA