TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that the focus is now on the production of P1, P2, and P3 prototypes.
TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu gave an exclusive statement to Aviation Week. He stated that the new prototype of KAAN is being produced and that the focus has now shifted to the production of the P1, P2, and P3 prototypes.
In this context, Demiroğlu said:
“When these aircraft become operational, they will be used intensively, and the new prototypes will fly as often as possible, for as long as possible, and as high as possible.”
It is worth noting that the flying prototype in the past was referred to as P0. According to Aviation Week, this aircraft is currently mostly used for ground tests to prove the assembly process, but it is also reported that P0 will fly again.
Demiroğlu mentioned that the prototypes to be produced will closely resemble the structure of P0. The most noticeable external change will be a more optimized air intake for supersonic flight. In the interview, Demiroğlu also said that most changes, including weight optimization and the installation of mission systems, will be “under the skin.” The second group of prototypes, P4, P5, and P6, will be more advanced and capable than the first three.
Test-bed Aircraft for Sensors
For testing KAAN’s various subsystems and sensors, Demiroğlu mentioned a Bombardier Global 6000 business jet, which he calls the Flight Test Laboratory. According to Aviation Week, this aircraft has been operational since early 2025 and is used for testing the AESA radar developed by ASELSAN for KAAN. Demiroğlu stated that the Flight Test Laboratory allows the company to simultaneously test radar and electronic warfare systems and their interactions with communication systems.
According to Demiroğlu, within the scope of the Flight Test Laboratory activities, TUSAŞ is also working on manned-unmanned teaming capabilities. KAAN is expected to operate in cooperation with unmanned systems under development, such as ANKA-III and KIZILELMA. In this regard, Demiroğlu said:
> “We do not want to send KAAN to the front line alone. It will be there when necessary, but alongside ANKA-III and KIZILELMA.”
Indigenous Engine Efforts
Demiroğlu stated that the preliminary design review of the indigenous engine to be produced for KAAN could be completed by the end of this year. TUSAŞ aims to produce a prototype flying with an indigenous engine by 2029. It is thought that the initial flight tests could be conducted with a KAAN having an F110 engine on one side and the indigenous engine on the other.
The goal is basically to produce an engine that can be in the same class as the F110 but capable of achieving higher thrust levels. TRMotor has developed an auxiliary power unit for KAAN, and TEI is leading the engine’s design.
Requests for partnerships from some countries regarding KAAN’s production process continue to come. In this context, Demiroğlu said that “advanced-level talks” are ongoing with other countries, but those countries face other priorities or financial difficulties. However, Demiroğlu also emphasized that TUSAŞ is open to participation at different levels.
Source: Defence Türk
Citations:
[1] KAAN’da son durum https://www.defenceturk.net/kaanda-son-durumm
