Turkey's KAAN Fighter Program Enters New Phase with Second Prototype

The assembly of the second prototype of the TAI KAAN, Turkey's ambitious stealth fighter jet, is nearly complete. Industry sources suggest comprehensive flight tests could begin as early as June or July 2024, a major step forward for the program.

The first KAAN prototype turned heads with a successful maiden flight in February 2024. The second prototype's impending flight tests will collect crucial performance data through multiple stages. Initial tests will focus on basic flightworthiness – maneuverability, stability, and control. Later phases will address speed, range, avionics, weapons systems, and structural integrity. Test results will inform design refinements and improvements.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) leads the KAAN program in collaboration with British firm BAE Systems. The goal is to equip the Turkish Air Force with at least 20 KAANs by 2028. Notably, Turkish defence firms operate under a unique funding model, ensuring ample resources for the project. Furthermore, Azerbaijan's participation in the program (and potential involvement from Pakistan) could reduce costs and boost the aircraft's capabilities.

The TAI KAAN is a stealthy, twin-engine fighter with American-made General Electric F110 engines. It boasts a top speed exceeding Mach 2, a 55,000-foot service ceiling, and an estimated range of 1,111 kilometers. The KAAN will likely carry a diverse array of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles.

While full operational capability for the KAAN is likely a decade away, this second prototype demonstrates Turkey's commitment to developing its own advanced military technology – a move that could reshape the regional defence landscape.

 

[sanket]

Taken very Long Time to Build second prototype appx 5 Months

 

[Pink Panther]

Our Tejas MK1A hasn’t taken off yet from IAF’s grip.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Big deal?

Our guys at HAL are also not sitting idle. They are ready with next batch of 3D renders of AMCA stealth aircraft to show us.

 

[Pad UwU]

Big deal?

Our guys at HAL are also not sitting idle. They are ready with next batch of 3D renders of AMCA stealth aircraft to show us.

You forgot to mention while they taking chai and samosa when doing 3d rendering CGI TRAILER

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

You forgot to mention while they taking chai and samosa when doing 3d rendering CGI TRAILER

Yeah.

But truth be told, it is painful to watch small countries walk(fly) ahead while we cheer for socialism and union infested DPSUs to make us aatmanirbhar.

I mean, look at HAL, it hasn't met its delivery schedule like ever.

Yet, instead of either shuttering or privatising this disgrace of an organisation, the Government continues to persevere with it for 5th and 6th gen aircrafts.

How different is it from the Congress(I) which continues to pull its weight behind Rowl Baba inspire of his electoral history marred with defeats after defeat.

In an alternative history where HAL to be a US based government enterprise, it would have seen its funding cut thin and its staff furloughed for good.

But here in India, we continue to beat a dead horse.

 

[ryan]

Yeah.

But truth be told, it is painful to watch small countries walk(fly) ahead while we cheer for socialism and union infested DPSUs to make us aatmanirbhar.

I mean, look at HAL, it hasn't met its delivery schedule like ever.

Yet, instead of either shuttering or privatising this disgrace of an organisation, the Government continues to persevere with it for 5th and 6th gen aircrafts.

How different is it from the Congress(I) which continues to pull its weight behind Rowl Baba inspire of his electoral history marred with defeats after defeat.

In an alternative history where HAL to be a US based government enterprise, it would have seen its funding cut thin and its staff furloughed for good.

But here in India, we continue to beat a dead horse.

Tell me, before blaming this Govt, what option the Govt has for now. It's Joint SP model for AMCA has been there for last 1.5 years with no one coming forward. So for now, Govt has to go with that option till the capabilities matures in the next 7-10 years & BTW dont forget 2 things. First, what they have displayed in the first flight is nothing but a glorified RC model. They are anything but a decade away for anything close to being 5th gen. If the global leader took 3 decades to build a 5th gen fighter, you expect this to "mass produce" a 5th gen fighter within 5 years ? really ? & Secondly dont forget that being a NATO ally gives you lots of perks & technical know-how which others dont have. God knows how come a Mullah nation be a part of Nato. Thats a whole different thing altogether

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

If the global leader took 3 decades to build a 5th gen fighter, you expect this to "mass produce" a 5th gen fighter within 5 years ?

If you are happy with bad service, who am I to enlighten you that the king has no clothes on.

It took China less than a decade to conceptualize J-20 and come up with first prototype. And mind you, China is no NATO ally.
Whereas AMCA has been on the drawing board since 2004 when it was conceptualized as a tail-less MCA design and almost 2 decades later, we still do not have anything better than a scaled-down wind-tunnel model to show for where we stand.

It's Joint SP model for AMCA has been there for last 1.5 years with no one coming forward

This was answered a few days back in a previous article. The private companies wanted to lead and deliver the project instead of apprentice for HAL. One of the criteria of the SPV was that the project would continue to be led by HAL and the private player selected would need to integrate, deliver and warrant the final product while HAL would call the shots in all aspects of project governance.
The model for SPV was flawed from the very beginning.

 

[Ajath]

If you are happy with bad service, who am I to enlighten you that the king has no clothes on.

It took China less than a decade to conceptualize J-20 and come up with first prototype. And mind you, China is no NATO ally.
Whereas AMCA has been on the drawing board since 2004 when it was conceptualized as a tail-less MCA design and almost 2 decades later, we still do not have anything better than a scaled-down wind-tunnel model to show for where we stand.

This was answered a few days back in a previous article. The private companies wanted to lead and deliver the project instead of apprentice for HAL. One of the criteria of the SPV was that the project would continue to be led by HAL and the private player selected would need to integrate, deliver and warrant the final product while HAL would call the shots in all aspects of project governance.
The model for SPV was flawed from the very beginning.

FYI . AMCA Project was launched in 2010 , not in 2004 as you have mentioned.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

FYI . AMCA Project was launched in 2010 , not in 2004 as you have mentioned.

Since you seem to be new. Let me reveal you some history.

The Indian Medium Combat Aircraft.

Well maybe an article for the resident idiots to deride but this is really interesting in the fact that its after a long time that we have news about the MCA

www.key.aero

Read up how the AMCA which we all know and love, began its life as Medium Combat Aircraft since almost 2003/2004. The initial design as revealed by ADA was even more futuristic. It did not have a tail and was purely a tail-less design.

 

[BnglrTester]

Yeah.

But truth be told, it is painful to watch small countries walk(fly) ahead while we cheer for socialism and union infested DPSUs to make us aatmanirbhar.

I mean, look at HAL, it hasn't met its delivery schedule like ever.

Yet, instead of either shuttering or privatising this disgrace of an organisation, the Government continues to persevere with it for 5th and 6th gen aircrafts.

How different is it from the Congress(I) which continues to pull its weight behind Rowl Baba inspire of his electoral history marred with defeats after defeat.

In an alternative history where HAL to be a US based government enterprise, it would have seen its funding cut thin and its staff furloughed for good.

But here in India, we continue to beat a dead horse.

Who will Bell the HAL cat. Moment there is any plan of privatisation, RG will be at the HAL gate along with media claiming that this national jewel is being sold away by boot zoot sarkar.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Who will Bell the HAL cat. Moment there is any plan of privatisation, RG will be at the HAL gate along with media claiming that this national jewel is being sold away by boot zoot sarkar.

Such a waste of 350+ seats mandate, isn't it?

Nobody takes Rowl Baba seriously. As a matter of fact, he is such a panauti, if he arrives at the HAL gates, HAL's Union leaders will themselves pick him up and deliver him back at Kempegowda Airport.
Furthermore, there are ways to manage him and his lackeys through courts if they start overacting.

 

[Sandeep]

The only reason why Turkey have managed to develop this jet that quickly is because they have access to NATOs advanced technology, equipment, sensors and components. India doesn't have access to any of that and are developing everything by itself and the only foreign part will be the F414 engine which will be replaced by our indigenous engine. Also the technology and capabilities of the Turkish jet is still unclear and untested and it could be similar to the Chinese so called stealth jet which has been proven to be more like a 4.5th generation jet where even India with their older Sukhoi jets and technology can see them clearly across the border over 200km away.

India are making good progress on the AMCA and have started to manufacture the jets parts, equipment and technology to build our prototypes and fine tune it so hopefully it will be ready for production after 2030 but our jet will be a 5.5th generation jet rather than a standard 5th generation jet unlike the Turkish or South Korean jet.

 

[Ajath]

Since you seem to be new. Let me reveal you some history.

The Indian Medium Combat Aircraft.

Well maybe an article for the resident idiots to deride but this is really interesting in the fact that its after a long time that we have news about the MCA

www.key.aero

Read up how the AMCA which we all know and love, began its life as Medium Combat Aircraft since almost 2003/2004. The initial design as revealed by ADA was even more futuristic. It did not have a tail and was purely a tail-less design.

I am not new. And please dont unilaterally
judge anybody.You should understand one thing 2010 was the year when this project was launched .Not any other year. And count will start from 2010 officially.
Even in your earlier comments you tried to create a big hype over Pak HANGOR SUBS which is years away from induction.
While we all know indigenous weapons are taking time to materialize, lets not over react to everything that gets printed here.

 

[Ajath]

Since you seem to be new. Let me reveal you some history.

The Indian Medium Combat Aircraft.

Well maybe an article for the resident idiots to deride but this is really interesting in the fact that its after a long time that we have news about the MCA

www.key.aero

Read up how the AMCA which we all know and love, began its life as Medium Combat Aircraft since almost 2003/2004. The initial design as revealed by ADA was even more futuristic. It did not have a tail and was purely a tail-less design.

AMCA Programme
The AMCA programme, earlier known as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) programme, is an Indian programme to develop a fifth-generation combat aircraft. It began as a parallel programme to the Indo-Russia Sukhoi/HAL FGFA. The AMCA programme was launched in 2010. Although envisioned as a 20-tonne class fighter earlier, now AMCA is 25-tonne class fighter. A feasibility study was launched in October 2010, followed by Project Definition and Preliminary Design phase in 2013."

This is for your kind information.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

This is for your kind information.

Yeah, Copied straight from Wikipedia.

While you dependon Wikipedia for your information, I have been personally tracking progress on the MCA since 2004. Even shared you link from initial discussions that were on various defence forums from 2003.

Anyways, you do you.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

You should understand one thing 2010 was the year when this project was launched .Not any other year. And count will start from 2010 officially.

Bhai, tu affidavit banwaa lei 2010 ko AMCA ka official happy birth day maan lene ka.

 

[Ajath]

Yeah, Copied straight from Wikipedia.

While you dependon Wikipedia for your information, I have been personally tracking progress on the MCA since 2004. Even shared you link from initial discussions that were on various defence forums from 2003.

Anyways, you do you.

Do you mean to say Wikepedia is wrong and you are right ?

 

[Ajath]

Bhai, tu affidavit banwaa lei 2010 ko AMCA ka official happy birth day maan lene ka.

Exactly. The count starts when a baby is formed in the mother's womb and not during wedding proposal.