KAAN First Flight: Turkish Fighter

Turkey's KAAN Fighter Jet Takes to the Skies

The 5th generation domestic fighter aircraft KAAN, developed by the Turkish Aviation and Space Industry (TUSAŞ), has successfully completed its maiden flight. KAAN, a source of national pride for Turkey, will bolster the capabilities of the Turkish Air Force.

KAAN took off from TUSAŞ's facilities in Kahramankazan and conducted its first flight. The aircraft, piloted by test pilot Barbaros Demirbas, remained airborne for approximately 13 minutes and reached a speed of 230 knots at an altitude of 8,000 feet. All systems were successfully tested during the flight, and KAAN landed without incident.

KAAN's successful first flight marks Turkey's entry into the exclusive club of nations capable of producing 5th generation fighter aircraft. These aircraft provide a significant advantage in air dominance due to their superior maneuverability, advanced sensors, and weapons systems. KAAN is designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. It will be equipped with next-generation weapons and will be capable of delivering precision strikes from internal weapon bays at supersonic speeds.

KAAN will be powered by artificial intelligence and neural network support. This will reduce the pilot's workload, enhance situational awareness, and significantly increase combat effectiveness.

Development Process

The development of KAAN stemmed from the need for a domestically designed and developed fighter aircraft to replace the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s. The project was initiated with a contract signed between the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and TUSAŞ in 2016. TUSAŞ partnered with the British defense company BAE Systems in the development of KAAN. This collaboration aims to further Turkey's capabilities in the aerospace and defense industry.

Technical Specifications of KAAN Fighter