KAAN, the 5th generation fighter jet developed by Türkiye, took off from the runway and met with the sky. The flight, which all of Türkiye 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 targets its superior air dominance with its High Performance and Integrated Modular Avionics System, which includes High Performance Computers, High Speed and Deterministic Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Heterogeneous Computing support.
In the first flight of KAAN, the Central Management Computers, Avionic Data Concentrator Units, Deterministic Network, Multi-Core Real-Time Operating System and Middlewares 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 has safety-critical and high-performance processor modules and deterministic and high-speed communication infrastructures. The system provides critical aircraft management functions such as Mission management system (Communication, Navigation, AESA Radar, Electronic Warfare, Electro-Optical Targeting and Weapon), flight control systems management, complex sensor systems management and glass cockpit systems management including large area 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 upgraded from single-core to multi-core support 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 equipped with unique critical technologies of TÜBİTAK BILGEM.
Systems developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM for KAAN:
TÜBİTAK developed an Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) platform that hosts KAAN applications to fulfill the required needs for a 5th generation fighter jet. Depending on the required functionalities three main computer based platform are unified into the KAAN IMA platform.
Central Management Computers
Developed for safety critical management of KAAN’s mission needs. Its redundant architecture with security functions developed by TUBITAK BILGEM manages the main avionics systems and weapon systems on the aircraft, drives avionics display and helmet-mounted display units, and ensures the cyber security of the aircraft. It is used in the first flight of KAAN.
Mission Management Computers Mission management computers support KAAN’s mission functions (communication, navigation, electro-optical targeting, radar and electronic warfare system) to serve pilot during its defined mission flight with high situation awareness reducing the workload of the pilot.Mission management computers are used in the first flight of KAAN.
Flight Control Computers
Flight management computers support KAAN’s flight control needs through highly redundant computer architecture operating flight systems applications that conduct pilot maneuvering commands as well as flight systems management by the pilot.
Avionic Data Concentrator Units
These units interface various avionics subsystems and sensors with legacy interfaces to KAAN’s computers to manage and process their data. They are used in the first flight of KAAN.
Deterministic Network
It is a high-speed optical network infrastructure that allows data with different criticality levels to be transported safely between KAAN’s avionics systems and computers. The safety protocol is developed by TUBITAK BILGEM. It is used in the first flight of KAAN.
High Speed Network
An optical network that allows high bandwith data transfer requirement of complex sensors to be processed by KAAN’s computers.
Multi-Core Real-Time Operating System
TÜBİTAK BİLGEM developed the multi-core operating system for safety critical applications that will be executed on KAAN’s computers. It also has functions supporting security management. It supports multiple criticality levels. It has also high performance version to support applications without criticality requirements. Safety-critical multi-core operating system is used in KAAN's first flight.
Middleware
Middlewares support hosted application of KAAN to abstract the underlying hardware and provide easy-to-use application interfaces to utilize KAAN IMA platform. They provide end-to-end communication between KAAN’s computers as well as Avionic Interface Data Concentrator Units and complex sensors. Aside from this, there is navigation and machine learning middleware to support and unify the computational needs of KAAN. End-to-end communication middlware is used in KAAN's first flight.
MC 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 KAAN.
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
Explosion Prevention Systems are being developed to prevent explosion and fuel boiling in fuel tanks in combat aircraft, taking into account the variable conditions of the aircraft.
Electromagnetic Modeling and Optimization of Radar Absorbing Multilayered Thin Film Surface Coating
In order to provide radar invisibility to the National Fighter Aircraft, RASEM software is being developed especially for use in the design processes of the canopy.
Development of a Set Providing Low Observability Feature for the Air Duct of the National Fighter Aircraft
In order to provide the air duct of the MMU-KAAN with low observability feature on radar, the set designs, tests and measurements to be placed inside the air duct is being carried out.
Electromagnetic Modeling and Application of Frequency Selective Surfaces for National Fighter Aircraft
In order to ensure KAAN's low observability feature 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.
