Turkish Fighter Jet Kaan: New Prototype Successfully Completes Ground Tests
This is an improved version of the first prototype of the aircraft.
Turkish Aerospace Industries has begun ground testing of the second prototype of the fifth-generation fighter jet Kaan. The aircraft, designated P1, successfully rolled out onto the taxiway for the first time on July 31, 2026.
During the taxi tests, engineers check the onboard systems, control, and the aircraft's behavior on the ground at various speeds. This stage is a crucial part of the preparation for the flight program.
P1 and another new prototype (P2) were unveiled in February 2026. Both aircraft are closer to the serial version of Kaan than the first flight sample — P0. The design of these prototypes incorporates the results of P0 testing.
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The P1 features an expanded nose section, larger air intakes, and a modified position relative to the cockpit. The landing gear is spaced further apart, increasing the distance between the engines. This configuration may free up additional space for weapon bays.
In front of the cockpit, there is an optical sensor, likely an infrared search and tracking system (IRST) and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system.
Another module is located under the nose of the aircraft, likely for detecting and tracking ground objects. These systems resemble the Turkish complexes Karat and Toygun, previously tested on the Kizilelma drone.
The prototypes and serial Kaan will be equipped with American General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. Over time, Turkey plans to transition its fifth-generation fighters to its own TEI TF35000 engines.
