TAI TF Kaan 2023

Information

The TAI Kaan also called TF (“Turkish Fighter”, formerly known as TF-X) and MMU (Milli Muharip Uçak, Turkish for ‘National Combat Aircraft’), is a stealthy, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter in development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and sub-contractor BAE Systems. The jet is to replace the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and to be sold to foreign governments.

The prototype performed taxi and ground tests on March 16, 2023 and was ceremonially rolled out two days later. Its maiden flight, initially scheduled for 27 December 2023 (one day before the maiden flight of the TAI Anka-3), was completed on 21 February 2024.

Development
On 15 December 2010, Turkey’s Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided to design, develop, and manufacture a national next generation air-superiority fighter which would replace Turkey’s F-16 fleet and operate with other critical assets like the F-35 Lightning II.

In 2011, Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), now known as the Defence Industry Agency, the procurement agency for the Turkish Armed Forces, signed an agreement with TAI for the conceptual development of basic capabilities. TAI and TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) would lead the design, entry, and development processes of the fighter jet. The studies would reveal the cost of the fighter, while investigating which mechanical and electronic systems would be employed and included, and a wider perspective of the opportunities and challenges in military aviation. Funding equivalent to US$20 million was allocated for a 2-year conceptual design phase performed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries. TAI officials stated that conceptual design phase should be complete in late 2013, with a report being prepared and submitted to the Prime Minister for the approval of development phase budget and framework. Janes has described the project as “extremely ambitious”.

In February 15, 2024, Ukraine has expressed interest to acquire the Kaan.

Design choice
In 2015, the TAI released three potential airframe configurations:

FX-1: Twin engine, Lockheed Martin F-22 like configuration
FX-5: Single engine, General Dynamics F-16 like configuration
FX-6: High agility single engine canard-delta Saab JAS 39 Gripen like configuration

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced on 8 January 2015, that the TF-X will be a twin-engined fighter. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries published its 2016 Performance Report in March 2017, where it was revealed that the final decision was to continue with the twin engine FX-1 configuration.

Bid
On 13 March 2015, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) officially issued a Request for Information to Turkish companies which had the capability “to perform a genuine design, development and production activities of the first Turkish fighter aircraft to meet Turkish Armed Forces’ next generation fighter requirements” signalling the official start of the program. The contract for design and development of the fighter was signed between the SSM of Ministry of Turkish National Defence and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. on 5 August 2016. The SSM granted $1.18 bn. to Turkish Aerospace Industries to acquire necessary technologies and infrastructure for the design, testing and certification of the aircraft. In the same period, Request for Proposal was published for the engine of the aircraft, and General Electric, Eurojet and Snecma companies returned to this file. Within the scope of the RFP, the condition was for the engine infrastructure to be developed in Turkey and production be domestic as long as possible.

Former partnership plans and proposals

Saab AB
In February 2013, meetings were held with Saab AB upon the instruction of then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and an agreement was signed between TAI and the Swedish firm Saab during the state visit of then-Turkish President Abdullah Gül to Sweden on 13 March 2013, according to which:

Saab AB would provide technological design assistance for Turkey’s TF-X program.
TAI would have the option to purchase Saab’s fighter aircraft design unit.
This plan was later abandoned and on January 8, 2015, then-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced that the TF-X program will be a completely independent domestic platform, not in partnership with Korea, Sweden, Brazil or Indonesia.

Rostec
The Russian state-owned defence company Rostec expressed its willingness to join the TF-X program during the 2018 Eurasia Air Show. Some Russian companies, including the United Engine Corporation, have also stated that they were ready to provide technology for the TF-X engine. Turkish defence officials confirmed that they were exploring this option and discussing potential cooperation models. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, accompanied by Russian President Vladimir Putin, observed the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet at the MAKS 2019 international airshow near Moscow on 27 August 2019.

Cooperation agreement between TAI and BAE Systems
In December 2015, Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) announced that it had chosen BAE Systems of the United Kingdom to assist with the design of the nation’s next-generation air superiority fighter. On the same day, Rolls-Royce offered technology transfer for the EJ200 engine and joint-development of a derivative for the TF-X program. During the visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May to Turkey in January 2017, BAE Systems and TAI officials signed an agreement, worth about £100 million, for BAE Systems to provide engineering assistance in developing the aircraft. Following the agreement, the UK issued an open general export licence to defence companies willing to export goods, software or technology to Turkey.

Engine
On 20 January 2015, ASELSAN of Turkey announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Eurojet, the manufacturer of the EJ200 engine used in the Eurofighter Typhoon. The announcement also stated that a derivative of the EJ200 will be used in the TF-X program. The two companies will additionally collaborate and co-develop engine control software systems and engine maintenance monitoring systems. Turkey’s selection of the EJ200 evidenced TAI’s intention to use supercruise capability. In May 2017, Rolls-Royce established a joint venture with the Kale Group of Turkey to develop and manufacture engines for the project. Another competitor is TRMotor Power Systems Inc. established in April 2017 by BMC, TAI and SSTEK. On 8 November 2018, TRMotor signed a memorandum of understanding with the Presidency of Defence Industries to develop a jet engine for the TF-X project.

While General Electric did not openly express interest in the TF-X project, its local partner Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI) announced that it will participate in the engine development phase. On 11 June 2018, TEI General Manager Mahmut Faruk Akşit said that they proposed a mature engine for which they had completed a commercial proposal for the infrastructure of sub-component tests for the compressor. He emphasized the advantage of GE engines over its competitors stating that they have significant OEM support whereas the collaboration between other companies were yet to thrive. TEI committed to submit all intellectual rights to the government. In October 2018, local media reported that an unknown number of initial production fighters will be equipped with General Electric F110 engines until Turkish Air Engine Company (TAEC) finalizes the local engine.

On 14 March 2022 Kale & Rolls-Royce re-started the progress of developing an engine for the TF-X program, stating that the previous disputes between the companies have been resolved and that the first prototypes of the TF-X will use the F110 engine.

On 5 March 2022, İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industries, in a television interview Demir said the government would now negotiate a possible engine deal with Rolls-Royce. “We had some issues [with Rolls-Royce] before,” he said. “These have been resolved. I think we are ready to work together.”

İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industries, said “It is imperative for us that the engine be produced in Turkey … that Turkey should possess intellectual property rights”. His statement implies that the same dispute over intellectual properties of the engine which previously stalled the negotiation between Rolls-Royce and Turkey back in 2019 remained unresolved.

As of 2 June 2022, unknown number of General Electric F110 engines delivered to TEI as the first batch according to the agreement between Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI) and General Electric that comprises delivery of 10 engines in total.

On 2 July 2022, the Defence Industry Agency published the invitation to tender for the domestic development of the engine to be used and İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industry Agency, stated that TRMotor, which is a subsidiary of TAI, has submitted its proposal and Turkish Air Engine Company (TAEC), consortium by Kale Group and Rolls-Royce, will submit its offer soon.

Development schedule overview
Development Phase-1 was expected to officially commence by the end of 2014, however, initial conditions were met and the project has officially started in late 2018.

On June 30, 2021, the Turkish Air Force made an official presentation about the TF-X program to the press. In the presentation, it was stated that Phase-1 Stage-1 had started with preliminary design works, right after T0 stage. As part of preliminary design activities, a system requirements review (SRR) is currently being carried out. By the end of 2022, system functionality review (SFR) and system requirements review (SRR) will be completed. Thus, the preliminary design activities will come to an end. The program is expected to go to the next stage by 2023 when the initial roll-out occurs with engines capable of taxiing.

Phase-1 Stage-2 involves detailed design and qualifications carried out in the 2022-2029 period. The aircraft will roll out in 2023, critical design review (CDR) activities will be carried out in 2024, the production of the first aircraft, called Block-0, will be completed in 2025 and the first flight will be accomplished in 2026. Until that date, TAI aims to manufacture 3 prototypes. The Block-1 configuration is planned to be developed until 2029. The manufacture of 10 Block-1 fighter jets is planned within the scope of Phase-2, and the aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033. In Phase-3, between 2034 and 2040, development and mass production activities of other TF-X blocks is planned.

Start of production
On November 4, 2021, the first piece of MMU was manufactured. Temel Kotil, CEO of TAI said;
We have realized the production of the first part of our National Combat Aircraft. Every step we take for the survival project of our country is very meaningful and valuable for us. I would like to thank all my friends with whom we walked on the same path by working with enthusiasm and effort.

The other 20,000 parts of TF-X were planned to be ready by the end of 2022.

TAI’s Deputy General Manager responsible for TFX Dr. Uğur Zengin, stated on February 11, 2022, that 550 parts of TF-X were in production. The maiden flight was planned for 2025, but has been rescheduled for the end of 2023.

The aircraft was officially named Kaan on May 1, 2023.

In May 2023, TAI CEO Temel Kotil said the company expects to deliver twenty Block 10 aircraft to the Turkish Air Force in 2028, then two aircraft per month by 2029, generating $2.4 billion in annual revenues for TAI.

Kotil also warned that the price tag of the aircraft may surpass his 2021 promise of $100 million per unit. This led the company to seek additional capital and production workers. In July 2023, at the 16th International Defense Industry Fair, a protocol agreement was signed to bring Azerbaijan into the project. Project officials began looking for Azerbaijani companies and production facilities that could be used and 200 Azerbaijani workers were to be immediately dispatched to join the fighter project.

On February 21, 2024, Kaan conducted it’s maiden flight. TAI shared a video showing a KAAN fighter jet taking off and then returning to Mürted Airfield Command in the north Ankara.

Design

Requirements
In June 2021, the Turkish Air Force, in a presentation made to the press, announced its requirements for minimum capabilities of the TF-X:

Improved aerodynamics and propulsion
Supercruise
Sufficient and optimized combat radius
Advanced and internal multi-spectral sensors (EW and RF/IR)
Low observability
Sensor fusion and autonomy
Improved data-link capabilities for network-enabled warfare
High precision stand-off weapons

Airframe
Hüseyin Yağcı, TAI’s chief engineer on the TF-X program, has stated that all three conceptual designs thus far feature a design optimized for low radar cross-sectional density, internal weapons bays, and the ability to supercruise, features associated with fifth-generation fighter jets.

TAI’s Advanced Carbon Composites fuselage facility, which was commissioned to produce fuselages for Lockheed Martin’s Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) program, has been tasked with developing an Advanced Carbon Composite fuselage for the TF-X. The Turkish Defence Industry Agency has also issued a tender for the development of a new lighter carbon composite thermoplastic for the TF-X fuselage.

Radar and sensors
ASELSAN is currently developing an advanced active electronically scanned array radar which will use gallium nitride (GaN) technology for the TF-X program.

Avionics and equipment
The TF-X will be integrated from the cockpit to accompanying UAVs (most likely the TAI Anka) through encrypted datalink connections. The aircraft will likely use upgraded variants of Aselsan’s own radar warning receiver (RWR), missile warning system (MWS), laser warning system (LWS), chaff and flare management, dispensing system and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based jamming system, which are already deployed with the other air platforms.

Propulsion
Prototypes and the first batch of aircraft will be equipped with General Electric F110 engines until the TAEC engine, a joint venture between the Turkish KALE & British Rolls-Royce, is completed and ready. Ismail Demir also stated that besides these two engines, an alternative engine is found from an undisclosed nation.

Preliminary specifications

General characteristics

Crew: One pilot & two pilot variant
Length: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 60 m2 (645 sq ft)
Max takeoff weight: 27,215 kg (60,000 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-129 Turbofan, 76.31 kN (17,155 lbf) thrust each dry, 131 kN (29,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,000 ft)
g limits: +9.0 g & -3.5 g

Armament

Missiles:
Air-to-air missiles:
GÖKTUĞ missile program:
Gökdoğan (Peregrine) BVR active radar homing
Gökhan BVR active radar homing
Akdoğan (Peregrine) BVR active radar homing
Bozdoğan (Merlin) short-range infrared homing
MBDA Meteor (BVRAAM)
Air-to-surface missiles:
SOM Cruise Missile (B1, B2, and J variants)
KUZGUN-TJ, Turbojet-powered Air-to-surface missile
KUZGUN-KY, Solid fuel Rocket-powered Air-to-surface missile
KUZGUN-ER, Turbojet-powered, Air-to-surface missile (According to TUBITAK-SAGE, this missile will be equivalent to Penguin Missiles.)
KUZGUN-EW, KUZGUN-EW will be able to carry miniaturised EW payload which will act as a stand-in jammer and suppress enemy air defences to significantly increase the survivability of the aircraft of the Turkish Air Force.
AKBABA, Air-to-surface, Anti-radiation Missile (ARM)
ROKETSAN ÇAKIR Missile Family, Anti-ship, Air-to-surface, surface-to-surface Cruise Missile.
MBDA SPEAR-3

Bombs:

Teber-81 (Mark 81 bomb w/ ROKETSAN Laser Guidance Kit)
HGK-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit)
KGK-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Wing Assisted Guidance Kit)
Teber-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ ROKETSAN Laser Guidance Kit)
HGK-83 (Mark 83 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit)
KGK-83 (Mark 83 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Wing Assisted Guidance Kit)
HGK-84 (Mark 84 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit)
LHGK-84 (Mark 84 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Laser Sensitive Guidance Kit)
SARB-83, Bunker buster
NEB-84, Bunker buster
MAM (Smart Micro Munition) (MAM-T variant)
KUZGUN-SS, Glide bomb
ASELSAN Miniature Bomb

Avionics

IRFS (AESA Radar, Electronic Warfare (EW))
Advanced Navigation Features (ICNI)
Integrated Electro-Optical Systems (IEOS) (Infrared Search and Track (IRST), Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) etc.)
Advanced Cockpit / Human Machine Interface