After a series of ground tests, the 5th generation Turkish aircraft made its first flight. The fighter was flown by test pilot Barbaros Demirbas.
The Turkish national combat aircraft KAAN, which was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, took off for the first time. This was reported by Defence Turk.
On the morning of February 21, 2024, the Turkish KAAN fighter jet took off for the first time as part of a series of tests. At the end of 2023, the aircraft passed a series of tests:
- ejection seat;
- static testing of control systems;
- avionics systems;
- starting and testing the engine;
- a passage on the runway.
🔴Türk havacılık tarihine geçen uçuş!!! 🇹🇷KAAN Gök Vatan’la buluştu! pic.twitter.com/mVYe8ESC2B
– Defence Turk (@Defence_Turk) February 21, 2024
After that, the first takeoff was allowed. In addition, the publication reports that the construction of two more KAAN test aircraft has begun. One of them should be ready in the middle of this year, and the first aircraft will enter service with the Turkish Air Force in 2028.
The KAAN prototype uses the American F110 engine, just like the F-16. Ankara has submitted a request to the United States for joint production of GE Aerospace engines. A total of 6 engines were purchased for the first three prototypes.
It is known that the test flight was conducted by test pilot Barbaros Demirbas. After the plane landed, the audience and developers gave the board a standing ovation.
KAAN’in inişinden hemen sonra Test Pilotu Barbaros Demirbaş ve ekibin ilk buluşması 🇹🇷
Bize bu gururu yaşatan Sn. Temel Kotil @Temel_Kotil ve @TUSAS_TR ekibi ayrıca bir teşekkürü fazlasıyla hak ediyor. Yolları açık olsun 👏👏pic.twitter.com/S8AIsW5Hfc
– Sertac Aksan (@AksanSertac) February 21, 2024
As a reminder, on February 15, Ambassador Bodnar said that Ukraine plans to purchase Turkish KAAN fighter jets. In addition, Ukrainian specialists are involved in the development of the 5th generation aircraft.
