The TAI Kaan, (formerly known as TF-X) alternatively named TF ("Turkish Fighter"), in Turkish as Milli Muharip Uçak (National Combat Aircraft), abbreviated as MMU, is a stealth, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter in development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and BAE Systems as its sub-contractor. TAI Kaan is planned to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Turkish Air Force and to be exported to foreign states. It was officially announced that the KAAN's prototype would be rolled out on 18 March 2023, and make its first flight by the end of 2023. The taxiing and ground running tests of the prototype began two days before the scheduled roll-out, on March 16, 2023. Its maiden flight is scheduled to take place in 2023. It was officially given the name "Kaan" on May 1, 2023.
Development
On 15 December 2010, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided to design, develop, and manufacture a national next generation air-superiority fighter which would replace Turkey's F-16 fleet and operate with other critical assets like the F-35 Lightning II.
In 2011, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), now known as the Defence Industry Agency, the procurement agency for the Turkish Armed Forces, signed an agreement with TAI for the conceptual development of basic capabilities. TAI and TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) would lead the design, entry, and development processes of the fighter jet. The studies would reveal the cost of the fighter, while investigating which mechanical and electronic systems would be employed and included, and a wider perspective of the opportunities and challenges in military aviation. Funding equivalent to US$20 million was allocated for a 2-year conceptual design phase performed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries. TAI officials stated that conceptual design phase should be complete in late 2013, with a report being prepared and submitted to the Prime Minister for the approval of development phase budget and framework. Janes has described the project as "extremely ambitious".
Design choice
In 2015, the TAI released three potential airframe configurations: FX-1: Twin engine, Lockheed Martin F-22 like configuration FX-5: Single engine, General Dynamics F-16 like configuration FX-6: High agility single engine canard-delta Saab JAS 39 Gripen like configuration Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced on 8 January 2015, that the TF-X will be a twin-engined fighter. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries published its 2016 Performance Report in March 2017, where it was revealed that the final decision was to continue with the twin engine FX-1 configuration.
Bid
On 13 March 2015, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) officially issued a Request for Information to Turkish companies which had the capability "to perform a genuine design, development and production activities of the first Turkish fighter aircraft to meet Turkish Armed Forces' next generation fighter requirements" signalling the official start of the program. The contract for design and development of the fighter was signed between the SSM of Ministry of Turkish National Defence and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. on 5 August 2016. The SSM granted $1.18 bn. to Turkish Aerospace Industries to acquire necessary technologies and infrastructure for the design, testing and certification of the aircraft. In the same period, Request for Proposal was published for the engine of the aircraft, and General Electric, Eurojet and Snecma companies returned to this file. Within the scope of the RFP, the condition was for the engine infrastructure to be developed in Turkey and production be domestic as long as possible.
Cooperation agreement between TAI and BAE Systems
In December 2015, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) announced that it had chosen BAE Systems of the United Kingdom to assist with the design of the nation's next-generation air superiority fighter. On the same day, Rolls-Royce offered technology transfer for the EJ200 engine and joint-development of a derivative for the TF-X program. During the visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May to Turkey in January 2017, BAE Systems and TAI officials signed an agreement, worth about £100 million, for BAE Systems to provide engineering assistance in developing the aircraft. Following the agreement, the UK issued an open general export licence to defence companies willing to export goods, software or technology to Turkey.