KAAN, the 5th generation fighter jet developed by Turkey, took off from the runway and met with the sky. The flight, which all of Turkey watched with bated breath, had a great echo in the world. On February 21, 2024, at 08:50, KAAN made its first flight and stayed in the air for 13 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8000 feet and reaching a speed of 230 knots.

KAAN achieves superior air dominance with its High Performance and Integrated Avionics System, which includes Increased Air-to-Air Combat Range with New Weapons, Precise and Exact Strike from Internal Weapon Slots at High/Supersonic Speed, Artificial Intelligence and Heterogeneous Computing support.

In the first flight of KAAN, the Central Management Computer, Avionic Interface Units, Deterministic Network, Multi-Core Real-Time Operating System and Middleware developed by TÜBİTAK were used.

Main control computers were designed and manufactured by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM

The computer system, described as the brain of KAAN, was successfully developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and delivered to TAI in 2022, ahead of schedule.

The avionics computer system is equipped with safety-critical and high-performance processor modules and deterministic and high-speed communication infrastructures. The avionics computer system includes critical aircraft management functions such as engine systems management, flight system management, etc., as well as Mission (Communication, Navigation, AESA Radar, Electronic Warfare, Electro-Optical Targeting and Weapon) This computer performs the data processing and management functions of their systems. Mission computers also produce images of the main display and helmet-mounted display, which will reduce the pilot's workload.

Multi-Core National Real-Time Operating System developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM

The Real-Time Operating System developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM was made multi-core to meet the high computational requirements of KAAN and was used on the Main Management Computers during the first flight of KAAN.

When the fifth generation fighter jet KAAN project is completed, it will be unique with TÜBİTAK's critical technologies.

Systems developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM for KAAN:

Flight Control and Aircraft Management Computers

They are computers that manage the engine, flight control surfaces (ailerons) and other aircraft systems. It was used in the first flight of KAAN.

Central Management Computers

It is a 5th Generation Integrated Modular Avionics computer that manages the main systems and weapon systems on the aircraft, generates images for the avionics display and helmet-mounted display units, and ensures the cyber security of the aircraft. It was used in the first flight of KAAN.

Mission Management Computers

These are computers that process and manage the data of communication, navigation, electro-optical targeting, radar and electronic warfare systems. Used in the first flight of KAAN.

Avionics Interface Units

These are the units that convert on-board sensor and actuator signals and provide communication with systems with old type interfaces. It was used in the first flight of KAAN.

Deterministic Network

It is a high-speed optical network that allows data with different criticality levels to be transported over the same medium without affecting each other. It was used in the first flight of KAAN.

High Speed Network

An optical network that allows large amounts of sensor data to be transported to management computers at very high speed. It was used in the first flight of KAAN.

Multi-Core Real-Time Operating System

These are the operating systems on which all KAAN's computers run, enabling applications at different criticality levels to run without affecting each other and with high performance. It was used in KAAN's first flight.

Middleware

It is the middleware that enables all software of KAAN to communicate with sensors and each other, performs protocol conversion of interfaces, creates display graphics interfaces and runs artificial intelligence applications. It was used in KAAN's first flight.

EMC Test System

It is the system that measures and analyzes the compatibility of all electronic systems on KAAN with each other.

Antenna Test System (NFRTF)

It is the system that determines the geometry of KAAN and ensures a low radar cross-sectional area for the 5th generation stealth aircraft.

Systems to be developed by TÜBİTAK MAM for KAAN:

Life Support System

Life Support Systems are being developed to enable fighter pilots to maintain their basic vital activities under conditions requiring high physical endurance.

Explosion Prevention System

In combat aircraft, Explosion Prevention Systems are being developed to prevent explosion and fuel boiling in fuel tanks, taking into account the variable conditions of the aircraft.

Electromagnetic Modeling and Optimization of Radar Absorber Multilayer Thin Film Surface Coating

RASEM software is being developed to provide the National Fighter Aircraft with radar invisibility, especially for use in the design processes of the canopy.

Development of a Low Visibility Set for the Air Duct of the National Fighter Aircraft

In order to provide the air duct of MMU-KAAN with low visibility on radar, set designs, tests and measurements will be carried out to be placed inside the air duct.

Electromagnetic Modeling and Application of Frequency Selective Surfaces for National Fighter Aircraft

In order to ensure KAAN's low visibility on radar, RASEM-RADOM software is being developed for the electromagnetic design and optimization of KAAN's radome with frequency selective features.

KAAN's ammunition integration will be carried out by TÜBİTAK SAGE

TÜBİTAK SAGE's SOM A, SOM B1, SOM B2, HGK 82, HGK 83, HGK 84, NEB, GÖKHAN, KGK 82, KGK 83, GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN projects will be integrated into KAAN.