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TAI TF Kaan

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by XForester (talk | contribs) at 20:51, 30 March 2022 (Rolls Royce & KALE engine development has been continued as per TAI director which said the disputes got resolved, it was also announced that a two seat variant will be developed). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

TF-X
TF-X mock-up at Paris Air Show 2019
Role Stealth multirole/air superiority fighter[1]
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries
First flight 2025 (planned)[1]
Introduction 2028 (planned)[1]
Status Preliminary design studies[2]
Primary user Turkish Air Force (intended)

The TAI TF-X ("Turkish Fighter")[3] is a fifth-generation stealth twin-engine[4] all-weather air superiority fighter[5] in development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and BAE Systems as its sub-contractor.[6][7] The aircraft is planned to replace F-16 Fighting Falcons of the Turkish Air Force and to be exported to foreign nations.[8] TAI CEO Temel Kotil stated that the TF-X will make its first flight by 2025.[9] The fighter jet is expected to enter service in 2030s.[10][9]

Development

TAI TF-X Mock up

On 15 December 2010, Turkey's Defense 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 F-35 Lightning II.[11]

In 2011, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), now known as Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), the procurement agency for 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.[12] Funding equivalent to US$20 million was allocated for a 2-year conceptual design phase performed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries.[13] TAI officials have 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. The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) had written a letter of intent to three engine manufacturers: General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Eurojet Turbo.

In 2015, the TAI released three potential airframe configurations:

  • Single engine configuration
  • High agility single engine canard-delta configuration
  • Twin engine configuration

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced on 8 January 2015, that the TF-X will be a twin-engined fighter.[4] The Undersecretariat for Defense 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.[14][15] In December 2017, TAI released preliminary technical specifications and features of the aircraft.[16]

Jane's has described the project as "extremely ambitious".[17]

On 23 Feb 2022, Temel Kotil, President and CEO of TAI gave an interview revealing that Turkey was collaborating with the Pakistan military operated National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on the project, outsourcing component design to students and researchers.[18]

On 5 March 2022, İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industries, in a television interview Demir said the government would now negotiate a possible engine deal with Rolls-Royce. “We had some issues [with Rolls-Royce] before,” he said. “These have been resolved. I think we are ready to work together.”[19]

Bid

On 13 March 2015, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense 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.[20] The contract for design and development of the fighter was signed between the SSM of Ministry of Turkish National Defense 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.[21]

BAE Systems

In December 2015, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense 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. The same day Rolls-Royce offered EJ200 engine technology transfer and joint-development of a derivative for the TF-X program.[22] During the visit of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 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.[23] Following the agreement, the UK issued an open general export licence to defense companies willing to export goods, software or technology to Turkey.[24]

Engine

On 20 January 2015, ASELSAN of Turkey announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Eurojet, the manufacturer of the EJ200 engine used in the Eurofighter Typhoon.[25] The announcement also stated that a derivative of the EJ200 will be used in the TF-X program.[26][27][28][29] The two companies will additionally collaborate and co-develop engine control software systems and engine maintenance monitoring systems.[29] Turkey's selection of the EJ200 evidenced TAI's intention to use supercruise capability. In May 2017, Rolls-Royce established a joint venture with the Kale Group of Turkey to develop and manufacture engines for the project.[30] Another competitor is TRMotor Power Systems Inc. established in April 2017 by BMC, TAI and SSTEK. On 8 November 2018, TRMotor signed a memorandum of understanding with the Presidency of Defense Industries to develop a jet engine for the TF-X project.[31]

While General Electric did not openly express interest in the TF-X project, its local partner TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI) announced that it will participate in the engine development phase. On 11 June 2018, TEI General Manager Mahmut Faruk Akşit said that they proposed a mature engine for which they had completed a commercial proposal for the infrastructure of sub-component tests for the compressor. He emphasized the advantage of GE engines over its competitors stating that they have significant OEM support whereas the collaboration between other companies were yet to thrive. TEI committed to submit all intellectual rights to the government.[32] In October 2018, local media reported that an unknown number of initial production fighters will be equipped with General Electric F110 engines until TAEC finalizes the local engine.[33]

On 14 March 2022 have Kale & Rolls-Royce re-started the progress of developing an engine for the TF-X program, stating that the previous disputes between the companies have been resolved and that the first prototype's of the TF-X will use the F110 engine.[34]

Rostec of Russia

Russian defense company Rostec at the Eurasia Air Show 2018 evinced an intention to join the TF-X program.[35][36] In a surprise move, some Russian companies (United Engine Corporation) have also stated that they were ready to provide technology for the TF-X engine.[37] Turkish defense officials confirmed that they are exploring this option and discussing potential cooperation models. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, accompanied by Russian President Vladimir Putin, were showcasing the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet at the MAKS 2019 international airshow in the Moscow region on 27 August 2019.[38]

Development Schedule Overview

Development Phase-1 was expected to officially commence by the end of 2014,[39] however, initial conditions were met and the project has officially started in late 2018.

On June 30, 2021, Turkish Air Force made an official presentation about the TF-X program to the press. In the presentation, it was stated that Phase-1 Stage-1 had started with preliminary design works, right after T0 stage. As part of preliminary design activities, system requirements review (SRR) is currently being carried out. By the end of 2022, system functionality review (SFR) and system requirements review (SRR) will be completed. Thus, the preliminary design activities will come to an end. The program is expected to go to the next stage by 2023 when the initial roll-out occurs with engines capable of taxiing.[1]

Phase-1 Stage-2 involves detailed design and qualifications carried out in the 2022-2029 period. The aircraft will roll out in 2023, critical design review (CDR) activities will be carried out in 2024, the production of the first aircraft, called Block-0, will be completed in 2025 and the first flight will be accomplished in 2026. Until that date, TAI aims to manufacture 3 prototypes.[1] The Block-1 configuration is planned to be developed until 2029. Manufacture of 10 Block-1 fighter jets are planned within the scope of Phase-2, and aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033.[1] In Phase-3, between 2034 and 2040, development and mass production activities of other TF-X blocks is planned.[1]

Design

TF-X is the first 5th-generation aircraft involving digital twin technology for the design and production.[40][41]

Requirements

In June 2021, Turkish Air Force, in a presentation made to the press, announced its requirements for minimum capabilities of the TF-X.[1]

  • Improved aerodynamics and propulsion
  • Super-cruise
  • Sufficient and optimized combat radius
  • Advanced and internal multi-spectral sensors (EW and RF/IR)
  • Low observability
  • Sensor fusion and autonomy
  • Improved data-link capabilities for network enabled warfare
  • High precision stand-off weapons

Airframe

Hüseyin Yağcı, TAI's chief engineer on the TF-X program, has stated that all three conceptual designs thus far feature a design optimized for low radar cross-sectional density, internal weapons bays, and the ability to supercruise, features associated with fifth-generation fighter jets.[5]

Mockup, rear view

TAI's Advanced Carbon Composites fuselage facility, which was commissioned to produce fuselages for Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) program,[42][43] has been tasked with developing an Advanced Carbon Composite fuselage for the TF-X. The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) has also issued a tender for the development of a new lighter carbon composite thermoplastic for the TF-X fuselage.[44]

Radar and sensors

ASELSAN is currently developing an advanced active electronically scanned array radar which will use gallium nitride (GaN) technology for the TF-X program.[45]

Avionics and equipment

The TF-X will be integrated from the cockpit to accompanying UAVs (most likely the TAI Anka) through encrypted datalink connections.[46] The aircraft will likely use upgraded variants of Aselsan's own radar warning receiver (RWR), missile warning system (MWS), laser warning system (LWS), chaff and flare management, dispensing system and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based jamming system, which already deployed with the other air platforms.[47][48]

Propulsion

Prototypes will be equipped with General Electric F110 engines until the TAEC engine, a joint venture between the Turkish KALE & British Rolls Royce will be finished. Ismail Demir also stated that beside these two engines an alternative engine is found from an undisclosed nation[49][50]

Two-seat variant

It was announced by TAI that a double-seat variant will be developed for the TF-X. In this way, it is aimed to use the MUM-T (Manned Unmanned Teaming) capability of the TF-X with the highest efficiency. With the seat to be added, the pilot in the back seat will be able to coordinate and manage drones like the Bayraktar Kizilelma & Bayraktar TB2

Preliminary specifications

Data from Turkish Aerospace

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot & two pilot variant[51]
  • Length: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 60 m2 (670 sq ft)
  • Max takeoff weight: 27,215 kg (60,000 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110 for test flights (local engines to be developed by TAEC) , 120 kN (27,000 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,470 km/h (1,530 mph, 1,330 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2[52]
  • Combat range: 1,100 km (690 mi, 600 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,000 ft)
  • g limits: +9.0 g & -3.5 g

Armament

Avionics

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  3. ^ "TF | Turkish Aerospace". www.tusas.com.
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  51. ^ https://tolgaozbek.com/savunma/mmuya-cift-koltuklu-varyant/
  52. ^ Turkish Fighter on YouTube
  53. ^ "TÜBİTAK-SAGE'den Milli Penguin: KUZGUN-ER" (in Turkish).
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