In order to meet the needs of the Turkish Air Force by providing coverage beyond the 2030s, a design and development program for a multirole NG fighter was established with the primary objective of replacing the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fleet, all within the framework of the so-called KAAN program, through which Turkey will become one of the few countries that possess such technologies, engineering infrastructure and the production capabilities required to complete a full-fledged 5th generation fighter jet project.
The design and development of an aircraft of this nature must include one of the main challenges of military aviation: its stealth capability, flying with a low or minimal radar signature, making it a stealthy aircraft. During its official presentation, the fighter equipped with advanced smart bombs and domestically manufactured cruise missiles.
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The KAAN aircraft is planned to remain operational in the TurAF’s inventory until the 2070s and will be interoperable with other critical TurAF assets, such as the F-35A.
The main contract for the KAAN design and development program between the Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM) of the Ministry of National Defense of Turkey and Turkish Aerospace was signed on August 5, 2016.
Currently, the main contract covers the initial four (4) years (from the signing of the main subcontracts) that will end with the completion of the preliminary design phase. Within this period, in addition to the design and development of the KAAN aircraft, engineering capabilities, technological development activities (for key sensors such as radar, electronic warfare system, etc.), and research and development activities will be developed.
