Turkish Navy Design Project Office Manager Captain Hakan Uçar stated that discussions are taking place with TUSAŞ for a possible carrier-based KAAN variant.
Captain Uçar revealed in his interview with the Sabah newspaper that talks with Turkish Aerospace ( TUSAŞ) are ongoing not only for Anka-III UCAV and Hürjet LCA but also for a navalised KAAN variant for the MUGEM aircraft carrier.
No comment was made regarding whether the configuration will be a STOBAR or CATOBAR type. MUGEM is being built as a carrier for the operation of STOBAR aircraft with the provision to install a catapult if the technology becomes available in the next phases.
Captain Uçar also gave an important update on MUGEM’s development in the interview. A test ramp for MUGEM is under construction, and it will be used similarly to the mock runway of TCG ANADOLU (L-400) LHD that was used for Bayraktar TB3 UCAV’s tests.
While a naval fifth-generation fighter is no easy work, KAAN being at the prototype stage makes the design more open to changes than it will be when the fighter enters serial production.
Due to being on the larger end when lumped with its competitors, it would not be far-fetched to assume the carrier-borne KAAN variant will require a catapult to operate at full potential.
If TUSAŞ decides to launch the development of naval KAAN, some differences can be predicted from a comparison of F-35A and F-35C fighters, which is the closest example. The first difference would be larger wings with folding mechanisms for improved low-speed handling at landing and efficient storage. The second would be reinforced landing gear and internal structure to handle the harsh landings of naval aircraft. These changes will increase the empty weight, which makes the Indigenous engines with significantly greater output compared to the current F110-GE-129 initial production engines a must.
Considering these, a carrier-borne KAAN fighter can be regarded as at least a medium-term plan for MUGEM if its development commences.
