The TF-X program has been developed for about a decade by the Turkish government, which wants to establish greater independence from foreign suppliers. The preferred date for Kaan’s first flight is October 29б 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic will be celebrated
Azerbaijan joined Turkey's Kaan fighter programme in July 2023, a strong signal that Baku will procure the aircraft, but not until the 2030s
The first MMU prototype was ceremonially rolled out on March 18, 2023, after conducting its first taxi trial on March 17, at speeds of up to 15kts. А head-on view shows distinct similarities with the basic configuration used by the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

Kaan GTU-01, the first of three 'Block 0' prototypes, is a pure technology demonstrator, lacking operational systems, and is unrepresentative of the planned production configuration

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

Other new entrants to the fighter aircraft market include TAI's Kaan, which unlike the KF-21, features as internal weapons bay
The MMU was named Kaan ('Ruler' or 'King of Kings') by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 1, 2024, during a Century of the Future event at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Ankara headquarters

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

Kaan GTU-01 taking off on its second flight. The aircraft's first flight was once planned for 2026, but the programme has been accelerated significantly. Two General Electric F110 engines power the aircraft, but an indigenous powerplant is under development

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

Senior members of the MMU team with the Kaan GTU-01 after the repaint that followed the aircraft's first flight on February 20, 2024. Fourth from the left is Professor Dr Temel Kotil, Chairman and CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries from 2016-2024

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

The then British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited the Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, on September 14, 2023, where he was photographed with the full-scale TF-X mock-up - an aircraft produced with extensive engineering assistance from BAE Systems

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: TAI TF Kaan - ТурцияTurkey - 2024

Saab has been at pains to point out that it is studying dozens of potential configurations for KFS, manned and unmanned, and that this is merely one of those and should not be taken as being indicative of the company's 'direction of travel'

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB Gripen E / JAS-39E - ШвецияSweden - 2017SAAB KFS / Loyal wingman - ШвецияSweden - 2026

Saab hopes to remain at the forefront of combat air platform design and manufacturing through its Konceptet Framtidens Stridsflyg programme. No design has been finalised, meaning that all concept artwork released to date is speculative

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB KFS - ШвецияSweden - 2027

This Saab loyal wingman concept was tested in the L-2000 wind tunnel at the Royal Technical High School, Stockholm, in December 2021 and subsequently 'broke cover' in September 2022, when it was presented as part of an academic paper at the 33rd Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS), in Stockholm

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB KFS / Loyal wingman - ШвецияSweden - 2026

Another unmanned Saab KFS concept. This was first seen accompanying an interview with Peter Nilsson, Saab's Head of Advanced Programs in Dagens Nyheter, on August 24, 2024

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB KFS / Loyal wingman - ШвецияSweden - 2026

Some configurations studied by Saab have been modular, with both crewed and uncrewed versions. This one was seen during a presentation by a senior Saab manager

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: SAAB KFS / Loyal wingman - ШвецияSweden - 2026