Interview with the head engineer of the Kaan, Emre Yaban:
- The first 20 KAAN MMU/TF-X Aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in Block 10 configuration with GE's F110-GE-129E Engine in 2028.
- The 35,000lb class indigenous turbofan engines, for which preliminary design studies are currently underway in cooperation with TR Motor/TEI/TUSAŞ, will be delivered in 2028 to be installed on the aircraft for testing purposes.
- After 2 years of tests, deliveries of Block 20 type aircraft with indigenous TF engines will start in 2030.
DEFENCETURK'S INTERVIEW WITH THE HEAD ENGINEER
-We are currently starting the ground test phase for our National Combat Aircraft as you know.
Regarding the second prototype
-The detail parts manufacturing has started for our second aircraft. Assembly will probably begin by the end of the year. Before all of that there will be the production of our tools etc.
"Will you fly this prototype?"
-Yes. The aircraft you see in front of you will fly by the end of the year. We will continue flight testing this prototype as well, of course it will be within a limited envelope due to its systems and the aircraft itself. The next prototype will cover a more expanded flight envelope. We will have a lot of prototypes. We have a really aggressive schedule. We are planning deliveries to start in 2028. We will have around 7 prototypes but this could change. Because we will have a lot of test platforms as well, not just the National Combat Aircraft. We need to test these to support the schedule. We will have a lot of tests performed on a variety of platforms.
"What is the latest news on KAAN's static tests & the iron bird?"
-Our static test platforms are being prepared as we speak. We will start with the iron bird by this year's end.
Question Regarding the national engine's timeframe
-It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that but the process has started. Our companies in question have started working on it.
"Will there be differences between this prototype and the production aircraft? (or smth like that)"
-There are details in which I'm not allowed to comment on. But Block 10 will be very capable. Our AESA radar will be on our first aircraft. There may be a lot of differences between prototypes. This all depends on the data we gather from our flight tests, ground tests and maybe our wind tunnel tests. If you study similar aircraft such as the F-22 & F-35 you'll see those differences. We also know that our aircraft can change drastically and we are prepping our teams accordingly.
"Is the forward opening canopy a standard or will it change?"
-Our current plan is to keep it as is. Our technical teams have performed a lot of work and gave plenty of tradeoffs, and from these studies we figured that this was the best possible option for our aircraft.
"From which point onwards will the IWB's be active?"
-All of our designs have been made so that they will always remain active. When we will start weapons tests will depend on our program.
"Are there interested countries?"
-Yes, a lot of countries are currently interested. It's not up to me to specify which countries these are.
Thanks to @MADDOG
- The first 20 KAAN MMU/TF-X Aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in Block 10 configuration with GE's F110-GE-129E Engine in 2028.
- The 35,000lb class indigenous turbofan engines, for which preliminary design studies are currently underway in cooperation with TR Motor/TEI/TUSAŞ, will be delivered in 2028 to be installed on the aircraft for testing purposes.
- After 2 years of tests, deliveries of Block 20 type aircraft with indigenous TF engines will start in 2030.
DEFENCETURK'S INTERVIEW WITH THE HEAD ENGINEER
-We are currently starting the ground test phase for our National Combat Aircraft as you know.
Regarding the second prototype
-The detail parts manufacturing has started for our second aircraft. Assembly will probably begin by the end of the year. Before all of that there will be the production of our tools etc.
"Will you fly this prototype?"
-Yes. The aircraft you see in front of you will fly by the end of the year. We will continue flight testing this prototype as well, of course it will be within a limited envelope due to its systems and the aircraft itself. The next prototype will cover a more expanded flight envelope. We will have a lot of prototypes. We have a really aggressive schedule. We are planning deliveries to start in 2028. We will have around 7 prototypes but this could change. Because we will have a lot of test platforms as well, not just the National Combat Aircraft. We need to test these to support the schedule. We will have a lot of tests performed on a variety of platforms.
"What is the latest news on KAAN's static tests & the iron bird?"
-Our static test platforms are being prepared as we speak. We will start with the iron bird by this year's end.
Question Regarding the national engine's timeframe
-It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that but the process has started. Our companies in question have started working on it.
"Will there be differences between this prototype and the production aircraft? (or smth like that)"
-There are details in which I'm not allowed to comment on. But Block 10 will be very capable. Our AESA radar will be on our first aircraft. There may be a lot of differences between prototypes. This all depends on the data we gather from our flight tests, ground tests and maybe our wind tunnel tests. If you study similar aircraft such as the F-22 & F-35 you'll see those differences. We also know that our aircraft can change drastically and we are prepping our teams accordingly.
"Is the forward opening canopy a standard or will it change?"
-Our current plan is to keep it as is. Our technical teams have performed a lot of work and gave plenty of tradeoffs, and from these studies we figured that this was the best possible option for our aircraft.
"From which point onwards will the IWB's be active?"
-All of our designs have been made so that they will always remain active. When we will start weapons tests will depend on our program.
"Are there interested countries?"
-Yes, a lot of countries are currently interested. It's not up to me to specify which countries these are.
Thanks to @MADDOG
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