TR Air-Force TF-X KAAN Fighter Jet

[Rooxbar]

2nd prototype should have been either already finished or should have at least come a long way into its manufacturing. The second KF-21 prototype was finished two weeks after the first flight of the first prototype, and conducted maiden flight four months later. Considering how our timeline is more ambitious, we should meet and surpass these target dates, if we are to meet the goals.

 

[uçuyorum]

2nd prototype should have been either already finished or should have at least come a long way into its manufacturing. The second KF-21 prototype was finished two weeks after the first flight of the first prototype, and conducted maiden flight four months later. Considering how our timeline is more ambitious, we should meet and surpass these target dates, if we are to meet the goals.

First prototype was made befofe CDR was finished so there isn't much point to making more prototypes before that. KF21 was at a different stage of its development lifecycle.

 

[Sanchez]

First prototype was made befofe CDR was finished so there isn't much point to making more prototypes before that. KF21 was at a different stage of its development lifecycle.

It's not even clear if CDR for Kaan is completed.

 

[Afif]

It's not even clear if CDR for Kaan is completed.

Iirc, They said something like it would be finished by the end of 2024?

 

[Rooxbar]

That's so weird. So it's kind of true that this is originally an iron bird, but the project made it evolve into a flying bare bones prototype? Wouldn't that kind of delay the project massively if the data coming from the flights forced changes that postponed cdr and manufacturing of first actual prototype? And if so, I heard they have already started with the manufacturing of a second prototype; the first iron bird into flying prototype one can kind of understand but what is this second one supposed to be if cdr isn't finished yet?

 

[uçuyorum]

That's so weird. So it's kind of true that this is originally an iron bird, but the project made it evolve into a flying bare bones prototype? Wouldn't that kind of delay the project massively if the data coming from the flights forced changes that postponed cdr and manufacturing of first actual prototype? And if so, I heard they have already started with the manufacturing of a second prototype; the first iron bird into flying prototype one can kind of understand but what is this second one supposed to be if cdr isn't finished yet?

If it flies and finds things needs to be fixed, these are problems what would have occured at a later point and would delay the project. If such issues are found earlier by a couple years because we flew a prototype early that would accelerate the project compared to other approach. But yes this prototype GTU0 is literally ground test unit, not iron bird though.

 

[Heartbang]

I have a gut feeling that the prototype we've seen won't be the prototype that will do the 1st flight.

 

[uçuyorum]

I have a gut feeling that the prototype we've seen won't be the prototype that will do the 1st flight.

You should see a gastroenterologist

 

[Fatman17]

Pictures from TAI

 

[Afif]

These are way old. Has been shared multiple times before,

 

[Saithan]

I was thinking that TAI was regurgitating old pictures...

 

[MADDOG]

I'm back fellas. Awaiting some news on the aircraft as soon as the weather clears. It is also important to note that the maiden flight will most likely take place early in the morning when weather conditions are much less likely to effect the flightline operations currently ongoing at TAI. So if some photos don't drop until noon, don't expect a FF. But anything can happen.

 

[Spitfire9]

UK met office predicts Ankara weather

Friday - temp >0C
0900 partial cloud, wind 5km/ph
1200 clear, wind 6km/ph
1500 partial cloud, wind 15km/ph

Tuesday - temp <0C
0900 partial cloud, wind 4km/ph
1200 clear, wind 4km/ph
1500 clear, wind 5km/ph

 

[Fuzuli NL]

One of my personal top 3 photos of Turkish defence industry.
Never felt as excited since I first watched STAR WARS as a child.

 

[Huelague]

I have a gut feeling that the prototype we've seen won't be the prototype that will do the 1st flight.

@MADDOG , does these strange member right?
I asked a question about the prototype and the final version and possible design changes. They say, no significant changes.

 

[MADDOG]

@MADDOG , does these strange member right?
I asked a question about the prototype and the final version and possible design changes. They say, no significant changes.

1) They're aiming to fly this prototype. A good amount of work has gone to the current airframe, and with no major setbacks I don't see why they wouldn't fly GTU-0.

2) Are you referring to the LRIP aircraft or simply the differences between this prototype and the upcoming ones?

 

[Huelague]

1) They're aiming to fly this prototype. A good amount of work has gone to the current airframe, and with no major setbacks I don't see why they wouldn't fly GTU-0.

2) Are you referring to the LRIP aircraft or simply the differences between this prototype and the upcoming ones?

LRIP and the final ones which goes into serial production.

 

[MADDOG]

LRIP and the final ones which goes into serial production.

Well of course it won't be a completely new aircraft. And from the 3rd aircraft onwards I expect to come across much more limited design variations resulting in fewer differences in-between prototypes as well as initial production aircraft. The main topic of discussion here is what changes would be considered "fundamental". A drastic change in the eyes of aerodynamicists could be the slight widening of the aft fuselage, whereas for the general audience a drastic change could be the re-positioning of the vertical stabilizers to the side booms or the implementation of a Raptor-like empennage etc. The same goes for people who work on different departments for the MMU program. A slight change for them might end up being drastic for others. This argument can be manipulated and twisted in a variety of ways. There will be changes for sure, but I find it unnecessary to dive into how "drastic" these changes might end up being. Since we are still talking within the compounds of the MMU program, it is only natural for these changes to not be greatly significant. The evolution of Hürkuş is a good enough example to this in my eyes. The most recent (as in it continuously goes through modifications) -B variant flying out there is the most experimental they've been so far. And mind you this comes after CDR. Even so, we can safely regard it as being the same platform with raked wingtips, an altered tailplane and an extended dorsal fin. TAI has gone through many revisions and a bunch of wingtip devices throughout Hürkuş' development but that is out of context. All in all, I believe it is relatively difficult for us to speak of these changes and properly categorize them as such. But changes are a given, and they will happen.

 

[uçuyorum]

Well of course it won't be a completely new aircraft. And from the 3rd aircraft onwards I expect to come across much more limited design variations resulting in fewer differences in-between prototypes as well as initial production aircraft. The main topic of discussion here is what changes would be considered "fundamental". A drastic change in the eyes of aerodynamicists could be the slight widening of the aft fuselage, whereas for the general audience a drastic change could be the re-positioning of the vertical stabilizers to the side booms or the implementation of a Raptor-like empennage etc. The same goes for people who work on different departments for the MMU program. A slight change for them might end up being drastic for others. This argument can be manipulated and twisted in a variety of ways. There will be changes for sure, but I find it unnecessary to dive into how "drastic" these changes might end up being. Since we are still talking within the compounds of the MMU program, it is only natural for these changes to not be greatly significant. The evolution of Hürkuş is a good enough example to this in my eyes. The most recent (as in it continuously goes through modifications) -B variant flying out there is the most experimental they've been so far. And mind you this comes after CDR. Even so, we can safely regard it as being the same platform with raked wingtips, an altered tailplane and an extended dorsal fin. TAI has gone through many revisions and a bunch of wingtip devices throughout Hürkuş' development but that is out of context. All in all, I believe it is relatively difficult for us to speak of these changes and properly categorize them as such. But changes are a given, and they will happen.

Vertical stabilizers are there because they need to align with diverter plates for stealth don't they? Otherwise they would have to maybe align with outer side of inlet like su 57 and that would be a bit too far

 

[MADDOG]

Vertical stabilizers are there because they need to align with diverter plates for stealth don't they? Otherwise they would have to maybe align with outer side of inlet like su 57 and that would be a bit too far

That is in essence true. Regarding MMU (without getting into detail ofc), the stabs are positioned in such a way both for RCS measures and equipment placement intricacies. The current plan is to keep them as they are.