TR Air-Force TF-X KAAN Fighter Jet

[Cabatli_TR]

 

[Radonsider]

IPU and DCU of TFX MMU developed by Tubitak Bilgem and delivered in August 2022

View attachment 49514 View attachment 49515

So why is HMD not mentioned (probably related to reporting and not the system)

And GTU-0 probably means Ground Test Unit-0 (?)

 

[Radonsider]

Do we have the rest of this? Or does it jump onto a different topic?

Jumps, no detailed info

 

[Cabatli_TR]

Do we have the rest of this? Or does it jump onto a different topic?

For info

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1585517578700701697

 

[MADDOG]

For info

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1585517578700701697

I see now. Thanks.

 

[Afif]

Congratulations to TUBITAK BILGEM!

I always thought this is the most difficult thing to develop for MMU after engine! But it seems they did it on the time.

But i always wondered why it wasn't given to ASELSAN! I thought, they had more experience in that area than anyone else in turkey. ( For example national mission computer of f16 )

 

[MADDOG]

So why is HMD not mentioned (probably related to reporting and not the system)

And GTU-0 probably means Ground Test Unit-0 (?)

Geliştirme ve Test Uçağı-0 ? Sounds a little off but that could be the case as well.

 

[Radonsider]

Geliştirme ve Test Uçağı-0 ? Sounds a little off but that could be the case as well.

That also makes sense

 

[Boz]

'Which systems does PAVELSIS produce for MMU, Hürjet and Şimşek?'

 

[MADDOG]

TF-X's nose and main tires on display

 

[Radonsider]

View attachment 49615

TF-X's nose and main tires on display

Dayum those are bigger than I expected

 

[MADDOG]

"We are currently producing the landing gear detail components and subassemblies for the TF-X. We will be delivering them to our customers in November."

 

[Radonsider]

Just in:

I might get to visit TAI (and possibly MMU), any questions you want me to ask?
Possibly in 2 weeks

 

[Radonsider]

This Saturday

Sad,

I thought I would be able to meet up with you there.


Are you going to see TF-X?

 

[MADDOG]

Sad,

I thought I would be able to meet up with you there.


Are you going to see TF-X?

Would've been nice indeed! I will be seeing the TF-X. But don't take it for granted. Anything can happen anytime.

 

[MADDOG]

TF-X's assembly facilities. Plenty of activity visible. Could be someone important visiting, or just shuttles getting people from A to B. Satellite imagery seems relatively recent.

 

[MADDOG]

(pic taken from me standing in front of the headquarters)




NOTE: Taking pictures inside the TF-X's assembly facilities is strictly prohibited. Taking pictures of Hürjet's assembly is also prohibited.


Locations visited:
-Hürjet
-F-16 structural and Özgür mod area
-MMU





HÜRJET
-Two prototypes are on the final assembly line. The number will increase to 4. There are two open slots for 2 more Hürjet fuselages.
-Piping and final assembly work in general takes A LOT of time and effort. The canopy and the tail section has gone on and off multiple times. It's all being handmade so this was expected.
-Hürjet will feature an Italian radar.
-Some crucial avionics have not arrived as of yet.
-Hürjet is set to feature a HMD.
-Hürjet's final assembly will be completed in a couple of months. Around the same time with the MMU.
-F-404's have been delivered and further deliveries are arriving as we speak. No delays or embargoes regarding the engines are expected.
-The aircraft stationed towards the right is the flying prototype, the one on the left will be used for static testing and it has its dedicated engine mock-up .
-No delays right now. Everything going according to plan. The assembly is also not going slowly, as per TAI officials.



F-16 Özgür
-There is a single Özgür prototype. It is not always stationed at TAI facilities.
-The Özgür program has gone serial! Which means the F-16's stationed there will undergo the Özgür modernization package.
-No major delays regarding the program as a whole. There is a small delay in place regarding the first aircraft waiting to be delivered. It must be noted that the Turkish Air Force is responsible for the inspection of the aircraft.
-First deliveries still expected in 2022.
-AESA integration planned in 2023.
-HMD will be developed.




MMU
-There is one aircraft being assembled. And that is the GTU-0. Like aforementioned, no RAM paint.
-Forward fuselage, mid fuselage, mid-aft fuselage (includes wing assemblies) are all completed. Aft fuselage is nearing completion.
-The canopy has been delivered.
-The forward fuselage will be transferred to the final assembly line in a VERY VERY VERY VERY short time. No pictures will be posted.
-Much of the crucial systems will be present during rollout. Certain systems such as the HMD, IRST, EOTS and other systems aren't expected to be there at first.
-TAI is using unorthodox techniques and technologies while assembling the aircraft. I'm not allowed to give insight on any of these.
-Even TAI technicians on sight were surprised to see how fast the program was moving forward. Assembly work is certainly moving at an incredibly fast pace.
-There are around 200 technicians on sight.
-The MMU hangar has transformed from an empty warehouse with a half-built FF, to a genuine assembly facility. This, I can proudly confirm.
-F-110's on sight. No delays expected for the rest of the deliveries.
-Certainly no delays to the program as things stand.





Other info obtained:
-Hürkuş will be delivered. TurAF simply has very high standards. The aircraft is not hampered by any critical issues.
-Hürkuş 2's CDR has been completed. I can confirm it will have a composite fuselage
-The jet powered UAV... Not much to be seen unfortunately. They are certainly producing parts. And its assembly will be made at the dedicated UAV area.
-ATAK-2's assembly is going well. Most of the fuselage is not being made by TAI themselves. The company in question will deliver the fuselage and final assembly will start.


EDIT: Was set to visit MMU's simulator. But it's being managed by TurAF themselves and it was going through maintenance. So that didn't happen.

 

[Glass🚬]

View attachment 50086
(pic taken from me standing in front of the headquarters)




NOTE: Taking pictures inside the TF-X's assembly facilities is strictly prohibited. Taking pictures of Hürjet's assembly is also prohibited.


Locations visited:
-Hürjet
-F-16 structural and Özgür mod area
-MMU





HÜRJET
-Two prototypes are on the final assembly line. The number will increase to 4. There are two open slots for 2 more Hürjet fuselages.
-Piping and final assembly work in general takes A LOT of time and effort. The canopy and the tail section has gone on and off multiple times. It's all being handmade so this was expected.
-Hürjet will feature an Italian radar.
-Some crucial avionics have not arrived as of yet.
-Hürjet is set to feature a HMD.
-Hürjet's final assembly will be completed in a couple of months. Around the same time with the MMU.
-F-404's have been delivered and further deliveries are arriving as we speak. No delays or embargoes regarding the engines are expected.
-The aircraft stationed towards the right is the flying prototype, the one on the left will be used for static testing and it has its dedicated engine mock-up .
-No delays right now. Everything going according to plan. The assembly is also not going slowly, as per TAI officials.



F-16 Özgür
-There is a single Özgür prototype. It is not always stationed at TAI facilities.
-The Özgür program has gone serial! Which means the F-16's stationed there will undergo the Özgür modernization package.
-No major delays regarding the program as a whole. There is a small delay in place regarding the first aircraft waiting to be delivered. It must be noted that the Turkish Air Force is responsible for the inspection of the aircraft.
-First deliveries still expected in 2022.
-AESA integration planned in 2023.
-HMD will be developed.




MMU
-There is one aircraft being assembled. And that is the GTU-0. Like aforementioned, no RAM paint.
-Forward fuselage, mid fuselage, mid-aft fuselage (includes wing assemblies) are all completed. Aft fuselage is nearing completion.
-The canopy has been delivered.
-The forward fuselage will be transferred to the final assembly line in a VERY VERY VERY VERY short time. No pictures will be posted.
-Much of the crucial systems will be present during rollout. Certain systems such as the HMD, IRST, EOTS and other systems aren't expected to be there at first.
-TAI is using unorthodox techniques and technologies while assembling the aircraft. I'm not allowed to give insight on any of these.
-Even TAI technicians on sight were surprised to see how fast the program was moving forward. Assembly work is certainly moving at an incredibly fast pace.
-There are around 200 technicians on sight.
-The MMU hangar has transformed from an empty warehouse with a half-built FF, to a genuine assembly facility. This, I can proudly confirm.
-F-110's on sight. No delays expected for the rest of the deliveries.
-Certainly no delays to the program as things stand.





Other info obtained:
-Hürkuş will be delivered. TurAF simply has very high standards. The aircraft is not hampered by any critical issues.
-Hürkuş 2's CDR has been completed. I can confirm it will have a composite fuselage
-The jet powered UAV... Not much to be seen unfortunately. They are certainly producing parts. And its assembly will be made at the dedicated UAV area.
-ATAK-2's assembly is going well. Most of the fuselage is not being made by TAI themselves. The company in question will deliver the fuselage and final assembly will start.


EDIT: Was set to visit MMU's simulator. But it's being managed by TurAF themselves and it was going through maintenance. So that didn't happen.

will the tf-x rollout be in march or before that?

 

[Radonsider]

will the tf-x rollout be in march or before that?

My source is not up to date as MADDOG's but rollout will definitely be in 18/03/23

 

[MADDOG]

will the tf-x rollout be in march or before that?

Nope. Exactly on that date.