Second KAAN fighter to have revised design, says Turkish Aerospace
The appearance of the KAAN fighter revealed by the first prototype in 2024 may remain just a memory. Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), its manufacturer, has revealed that the second test aircraft will feature design revisions.
The Turkish 5th generation fighter is the most ambitious project of the state-owned manufacturer and is expected to enter service in late 2028.
Speaking during Teknofest, TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiro Ilu revealed that three more prototypes are being assembled, two of them for flight tests and one for ground evaluation.
The second KAAN is expected to be ready by the end of 2025 and will feature new air intakes, reflecting the initial learning from the original aircraft.
The project update involves reducing the radar cross section (RCS), a priority requirement for stealth aircraft.
Despite the fact that Turkish has announced smaller dimensions on its website, the KAAN has not become smaller, as expected. However, the fighter has had its internal configuration and weight changed.
Afterburner activated
According to Demiro Illu, the first prototype of the KAAN should make its third flight between August and October. The aircraft has already had its afterburner activated, remembering that it is equipped with General Electric F110 engines.
Despite the long development time ahead, TUSAŞ aims not only to re-equip the Turkish Air Force, replacing US jets such as the F-4 and F-16, but also to export the KAAN.
Talks to this effect have already been initiated with several countries.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
