TR UAV/UCAV Programs | Anka - series | Kızılelma | TB - series

Zafer · Jul 14, 2026

F16 1.2
EF 0.25
SU57 0.1
KE 0.07
Anka3 0.001

More likely

IC3M@N FX · Jul 14, 2026

The RCS from F-16 is bit higher 1.5
Normally it had an RCS of 3 to 5 as 70s Design Airframe; after undergoing RAM with Project Have Glass I–V RAM, it was reduced to 1.5 RCS.

Eurofighter and Rafale 0.5 to 1 RCS it's 90s Design Airframe with RAM.
SU 57 I don't know is speculation nobody know exactly.
Kizilelma 0.05 - 0.08 speculation
Anka 3 0.005 - 0.008 speculation

Turkic · Jul 14, 2026

Guys, 0.1 for KE and 1 for EF/Rafale was unserious numbers. And we probably will never know the exact numbers. What I meant was KE is not as stealth as F-35 or such and the main reason for this is money. It’s not about the rcs values but the comparisons. KE’s RCS values are probably in low-observable zone together with 4.5th gens, KF-21 and SU-57. And 5th gen RCS values are in very-low-observable zone.

KE might join VLO zone with certain upgrades. I hope we will see those with twin-engine/one big engine configurations.

Turkic · Jul 14, 2026

Here is one reason why I put KE in low-observable zone:

Sanchez said:
Kızılelma S5 from today. Production is moving ahead.

View attachment 81353

Turkic said:
Will those screws stay visible in serial production? I expected them to hide these after S1.

begturan · Jul 14, 2026

We can assume that Baykar, a company that has provided stealth capabilities even to a tactical UAV in the TB2 class, will also provide Kızılelma with satisfactory levels of stealth technology thanks to its advanced composite technology. It will likely have an RCS that will satisfy the Turkish air force at a low cost.

To date, no actual data has been published; currently, no one outside the company and the Turkish Armed Forces knows how much of a radar signature Kızılelma leaves. And it should remain that way.

Zafer · Jul 14, 2026

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2066799763245179392

The radar-absorbent material (RAM) coating designed to provide stealth capabilities for the KAAN has been manufactured in Ankara, has passed over 30 tests, and is ready for use.

It can be said that the KAAN's stealth level will surpass that of the F-35, thanks to innovations in RAM technology.

The radar-signal-absorbing coating used on the KAAN and ANKA-3 is superior to the coating used on American F-35 aircraft.

The next-generation coating developed for the KAAN and ANKA-3 was designed with more durable and modern components to overcome the chronic maintenance issues associated with the F-35.

The KAAN’s Radar Cross Section (RCS) value is 0.001 m²—roughly the size of a golf ball.

The KAAN incorporates millions of lines of code written by ASELSAN and HAVELSAN.

Tornadoss · Jul 14, 2026

Zafer said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2066799763245179392

How reliable is this source?

IC3M@N FX · Jul 14, 2026

It is physically and industrially impossible for the KAAN (a huge, twin-engine fighter with conventional round engine nozzles and a supporting central cockpit arch) to have exactly the same radar signature as the much smaller, single-engine F-35 with its completely seamless, one-piece cockpit.
Realistic figure: Taking into account the updated, flatter TUSAŞ dimensions (5 metres in height) and an Have Glass V equivalent + coating, the production KAAN’s frontal area is realistically between 0.005 m² and 0.01 m². This is still an absolutely top-class figure, placing the jet well within the VLO (Very Low Observable) range, but not quite at the absolutely extreme level of the F-35.

And....how can the TAI KAAN, which has the same radar absorbers as the Anka 3 & Kizilelma, have the same RCS values as the Anka 3, which is completely Clean Design and Tailless?

With the TEI TF-35000 fitted with optimised nozzles, it is certainly possible to achieve an RCS of between 0.003 and 0.008, but that is as low as it gets – which is still a bloody good figure.
The USA has had experience with radar-absorbing materials, coatings and paints since the 1970s and 1980s; it is impossible to reach this level in 5 to 10 years.

TheInsider · Jul 14, 2026

Tornadoss said:
How reliable is this source?

Source is not reliable, but what he wrote is %100 correct.

I'm not talking about RCS of KAAN, it is classified; nobody knows that. I'm talking about RAM being better than F-35. That is true.

IC3M@N FX · Jul 14, 2026

TheInsider said:
Source is not reliable, but what he wrote is %100 correct.

How is possible?
TAI KAAN and Anka 3 has the same RCS?
With the Anka 3, this is still possible, as it features a pure flying-wing design; and thanks to its tailless design, the radar-absorbing materials and coatings can realistically achieve this value. But TAI KAAN is not Tailless and It even has a centre strut cockpit canopy and with vertical stabilisers.

The US is miles ahead of every other nation in the world when it comes to radar-absorbing materials, coatings and paints.
If China can’t even manage to develop better radar-absorbing materials, despite having a budget ten times as large as ours … Sorry, but that’s propaganda or misinformation. I don't believe it.

We’re starting out by designing Aeroplanes and developing Subsystems for them, and right from the off we’re better than everyone else but with no historical experience in this field of Radarabsorbing & Co – as if all the other nations were monkeys and our people (Scientists and engineers) from Atlantis...we can achieve this in 5-10 Years sry but I must laugh.

Sanchez · Jul 14, 2026

TheInsider said:
I'm talking about RAM being better than F-35. That is true.

RAM paint is a product. One being better at hiding true RCS doesn't automatically make it better than the other. Americans learned it the hard way in the last 40 years. Applying and maintaining the RAM coating is just as important to keep readiness high. That's why F-35 can be deployed to austere environs and even carrier decks and F-22 can't and why the B-2 fleet require nearly a billion dollars in maintenance costs every year. For this exact reason B-2 will remain the most stealthy plane ever built well after it's retired. B-21 however will be much more cheaper to maintain.

It's actually exactly why Greece's late block F-16s look like they came out of a war zone; thanks to their RAM paint which they can't apply themselves or have the budget to send them over to US to be reapplied.

Zafer · Jul 14, 2026

RCS is about radar detection but there is also infrared signature detection that needs to be considered, call it sensor detection. In this respect I will fondly name the F35 as the Eclipse as it hides a sun behind its tail.

TheInsider · Jul 14, 2026

We have some very advanced shit on our hands when it comes to RAM. Early studies probably go back 2 decades. There are clues for deduction for the careful eyes in academia, and Ergun Kırlıkovalı mentioned contributing to 4 next-generation RAM materials for the Kaan

Angry Turk !!! · Jul 14, 2026

Does 2 F110 engines on lower output have a less infrared signature than a F35 engine on higher output?

TheInsider · Jul 14, 2026

Angry Turk !!! said:
Does 2 F110 engines on lower output have a less infrared signature than a F35 engine on higher output?

The problem with F135 is that it has a very high exhaust temperature; the hotter the source, the longer the detection range.

Angry Turk !!! · Jul 14, 2026

TheInsider said:
The problem with F135 is that it has a very high exhaust temperature; the hotter the source, the longer the detection range.

I can imagine that 2x F35K engines will have an even lower signature than 2x F110 engines. So it's not a given that a bigger fighter jet has automatically a bigger signature. Otherwise how can people explain that the B2 has a lower signature than the F35.

What I want to say is, is that the KAAN possibly can have a lower signature than the F35.

TheInsider · Jul 14, 2026

Angry Turk !!! said:
I can imagine that 2x F35K engines will have an even lower signature than 2x F110 engines. So it's not a given that a bigger fighter jet has automatically a bigger signature. Otherwise how can people explain that the B2 has a lower signature than the F35.

What I want to say is, is that the KAAN possibly can have a lower signature than the F35.

Kaan will have lower IR signature than F-35 because F-35k exhaust temperature will be lower than F135. F110 EGT maxes a little higher than 900 degree celcius, F-135 EGT maxes around 1150 degree celcius at max dry thrust. If afterburner is utilized, it is an IR signature fiesta for both, but still, F110 EGT is lower when using afterburner. IMHO TF35k EGT will be comparable to F110 maybe somewhat higher. F-135 can suppress its IR signature for a short time window by utilizing a special cooling system.

BTW TF35k will have special RAM CMC for the nozzle/tailpipe similar to F-135 one of the reasons why TF35k is called a next-generation engine. F110 doesn't have such a capability.

Angry Turk !!! · Jul 14, 2026

TheInsider said:
Kaan will have lower IR signature than F-35 because F-35k exhaust temperature will be lower than F135. F110 EGT maxes a little higher than 900 degree santigrad, F-135 EGT maxes around 1150 degree santigrad at max dry thrust. If afterburner is utilized, it is an IR signature fiesta for both, but still, F110 EGT is lower when using afterburner. IMHO TF35k EGT will be comparable to F110 maybe somewhat higher. F-135 can suppress its IR signature for a short time window by utilizing a special cooling system.

BTW TF35k will have special RAM CMC for the nozzle/tailpipe similar to F-135 one of the reasons why TF35k is called a next-generation engine. F110 doesn't have such a capability.

My thought process regarding the TF-35K IR signature being lower than the F110 engine was because the F35K has higher thrust, which means it can throttle the power output to reach the same speed of 2x F110 engines.

Obviously I could be totally wrong, it's just me guessing and trying to understand.

Yasar_TR · Jul 14, 2026

Angry Turk !!! said:
Does 2 F110 engines on lower output have a less infrared signature than a F35 engine on higher output?

According to unconfirmed sources :

F110
non afterburner/dry exhaust temperature : 600-700 degrees C
Afterburner exhaust temperature : 1700-2000 degrees C

F135
non afterburner/dry exhaust temperature : 600-650 degrees C
Afterburner exhaust temperature : 1500-1700 degrees C

So in reality there isn’t much between them.

It depends on how well the aircraft disguises IR picture of engines is what matters.

Yasar_TR · Jul 14, 2026

Angry Turk !!! said:
Does 2 F110 engines on lower output have a less infrared signature than a F35 engine on higher output?

According to unconfirmed sources :

F110
non afterburner/dry exhaust temperature : 600-700 degrees C
Afterburner exhaust temperature : 1700-2000 degrees C

F135
non afterburner/dry exhaust temperature : 600-650 degrees C
Afterburner exhaust temperature : 1500-1700 degrees C

So in reality there isn’t much between them.

It depends on how well the aircraft disguises IR picture of engines is what matters.

In essence these values vary a great deal depending on RPM of engines and the length of time afterburners are applied

An aircraft’s skin temperature goes up drastically with its speed and altitude. At Higher altitudes air is thin the friction is less. Hence less heat develops .
But at higher altitudes planes can go faster. This increases friction and skin temperature climbs.

At mach2 and high altitude the skin temperature can be between 120 to 180 degrees C

I always remember the Russian IR picture of an f22 from 150km away.

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