Professor Dr Mahmut Faruk Akşit, General Manager of TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), made exciting statements regarding the TF35000 engine being developed for Turkey’s first fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN. Speaking at TEKNOFEST TRNC, Akşit shared technical details and the progress of the engine development process with the public.
“An Engine Advances as a Whole; It’s Not Completed in Pieces”
Commenting on rumours circulating in the public about the TF35000 jet engine—such as “the combustion chamber has been completed”—Akşit stated:
“The combustion chamber alone cannot be considered complete. An engine progresses as an integrated system. Each component affects the other. This process requires complex systems engineering,” he said.
Akşit noted that aircraft engine technology represents the highest technical level in aviation, and that TEI had previously developed and brought into production engines for UAVs and helicopters. Now, he stated, they are operating at the highest tier.
“TF35000 Will Be Among the World’s Top-Level Engines”
“TF35000 will be capable of reaching supersonic speeds without using an afterburner. This is a capability currently found only in a limited number of US and Russian engines,” Akşit said, emphasising that this technology will place Turkey among the world’s top three.
He highlighted that the engine’s ability to conduct long-range supersonic flights will provide a critical advantage, especially in combat aircraft, adding: “This technology is not easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it.”
TF6000 and TF10000: Next-Generation Power for ANKA-3 and KIZILELMA
Akşit also provided information about other key engines developed by TEI:
TF6000: Being developed for unmanned systems like KIZILELMA and ANKA-3. As part of the turbofan class, this engine offers greater range and fuel efficiency.
“There aren’t many engines in this class worldwide. At the moment, we already have customers waiting for the TF6000,” he said.
TF10000: A more advanced version of the TF6000. It will be equipped with an afterburner to enable supersonic flight.
“The core remains the same, but the surrounding structure is modified. We are developing special solutions for platforms like ANKA-3, which require low thermal signatures.”
“Building an Aircraft Engine Is Harder Than Making a Nuclear Bomb”
“Many countries possess nuclear technology, but very few can develop a fighter jet engine. Technically, producing a jet engine is more difficult,” Akşit said, pointing out that engine technology represents the pinnacle of the defence industry.
“Our People Can Rest Assured: They Will Soon See It Fly”
Professor Dr Akşit emphasised that the discussion should not be about “whether the TF35000 will work” but rather “when it will fly,” stating:
“It will happen, and sooner than expected. Our people can rest assured—we will, God willing, see this engine fly in the near future.”
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