Turkish Air Force | News & Discussions

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MUM-T concept + network-centric warfare + cooperative engagement capability


TURAF ( The ruler of the sky ) ..... loading

Timeline Snapshot for 2030

• 2026–2028: F-16 OZGUR-2 upgrades, HURJET fielding, early KAAN flight testing/prototypes, initial Eurofighter arrivals (used ones) , 4 ASOJ-23A stand off jammer Aircraft , KIZILELMA and ANKA-3 to enter service , SIPER-2 AD System deliveries , modernization of 4 E-7T AEWCs

• 2028–2030: First 20 KAAN deliveries, first brand new Typhoons T-4/5, full F-16 OZGUR-2 fleet maturity ( 230 ) , more SIPER-2 AD System deliveries

• 2030–2032: Peak Typhoon deliveries, KAAN production ramp with indigenous engine milestone, heavy Drone integration , SIPER-3/4 anti Ballistic Missile Systems deliveries

Additionally, Turkiye has made an official application to purchase 40 F-35s and 40 F-16Vs

F-35 : No final approval or contract yet; it depends on bilateral deals and Congressional review

F-16V : Contract signed ... Negotiations with Lockheed Martin on final pricing, configuration and terms continue in 2026

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By 2030, the Turkish Air Force is on track to become one of the most capable and self-reliant air forces in the World

 

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TURKISH ENGINEERS MADE IT

Comparison of the image quality of EOTS systems that are invisible to radar, found only in the F-35 and KIZILELMA in the world

Both the F-35's EOTS (AN/AAQ-40,) and the Aselsan TOYGUN on Turkiye's KIZILELMA are among the world's only fully embedded/low-observable (stealthy, radar-invisible aperture) Electro-Optical Targeting Systems (EOTS)

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TOYGUN (Kızılelma): 1280×1024 pixel HD MWIR (mid-wave infrared) thermal camera (~1.3 megapixels). High-resolution IR imaging with AI-supported automatic target recognition, classification, and tracking

AN/AAQ-40 ( F-35 ): Original baseline uses a high-sensitivity MWIR sensor (estimated ~1024×1024 or ~1 MP class )


KIZILELMA to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 2026

 

[Afif]

TURKISH ENGINEERS MADE IT

Comparison of the image quality of EOTS systems that are invisible to radar, found only in the F-35 and KIZILELMA in the world

J20A & J20S



J35



GJ-11




Interestingly, according to a defenceTurkey article, Aselsan was collaborating with Chinese and far east companies in late 2010s to produce its first HD IR imaging sensor.

 

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GJ-11

Unlike the F-35's fully embedded prismatic AN/AAQ-40 EOTS or Turkey's ASELSAN TOYGUN on the Kızılelma (explicitly designed as radar-invisible/low-observable apertures with minimal RCS contribution), the GJ-11's EO system is a chin-mounted/underside fairing that is low-observable but not claimed as fully "invisible to radar." It resembles the J-20's chin EOTS more closely.


J-20 Stealth Integration:
The chin EOTS is embedded/optimized for low observability (faceted design, internal mounting), contributing to the J-20's frontal stealth focus. It's a core 5th-gen feature, allowing passive operations without radar emissions. Not claimed as perfectly "radar-invisible" as F-35/TOYGUN but designed to minimize RCS impact

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Interestingly, according to a defenceTurkey article, Aselsan was collaborating with Chinese and far east companies in late 2010s to produce its first HD IR imaging sensor.

China should first develop high-quality Targeting pods to match with Turkish/American/Israeli technologies for E/O Systems

 

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Physical Design & Stealth Integration (Biggest Difference)

• F-35 EOTS: Fully embedded/internal with a unique faceted/prismatic sapphire window (multi-panel, diamond-like appearance) flush under the nose. The sensor is completely housed inside the fuselage, with only the special low-observable window exposed. This minimizes radar cross-section (RCS) contribution — the aperture is shaped and coated to scatter/deflect radar waves, making it nearly "radar-invisible" while allowing optical/IR transmission. Designed from the ground up for all-aspect stealth.
  
  
  
• Chin-mounted EOTS (J-20, GJ-11): A more traditional protruding or faired chin pod/fairing. The sensor housing bulges out or is semi-recessed under the nose. It is stealth-optimized (shaped, coated, sometimes faceted), but it creates a larger discontinuity in the aircraft's smooth lines, adding more to the frontal RCS than the F-35's flush design.

Why Does China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Look Like U.S. Fighter Jets?

Here’s What You Need to Remember: While parts of the design of the J-20 appear to resemble the F-22 and it’s stealthy curves, these similarities could be skin deep as the angularity on the jet inlets and wings remain quite different, and the J-20 lacks all-aspect stealth. On August 1st of 2019...

nationalinterest.org

Turkish TOYGUN on Kızılelma/KAAN is explicitly designed like the F-35 version (faceted low-RCS fairing, embedded principle) — one of the closest equivalents

 

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Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors


( QWİP , INGaAS , Insb , HgCdTe )
USA
Israel
Turkiye
France

Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIP) and related materials (InGaAs, InSb, HgCdTe/MCT) are key infrared (IR) detector technologies used in military electro-optical systems like EOTS, IRST, FLIR, and targeting pods




Only these 4 Countries ( USA,Turkiye,Israel,France ) have demonstrated sovereign mastery of advanced cooled QWIP/InGaAs/InSb/HgCdTe FPAs at the level needed for 5th-gen EOTS/IRST in operational stealth platforms

Others (China, Russia, etc.) have programs but lag in maturity/uniformity/yield for high-end applications.

 

[Afif]

Unlike the F-35's fully embedded prismatic AN/AAQ-40 EOTS or Turkey's ASELSAN TOYGUN on the Kızılelma (explicitly designed as radar-invisible/low-observable apertures with minimal RCS contribution), the GJ-11's EO system is a chin-mounted/underside fairing that is low-observable but not claimed as fully "invisible to radar." It resembles the J-20's chin EOTS more closely.


J-20 Stealth Integration:
The chin EOTS is embedded/optimized for low observability (faceted design, internal mounting), contributing to the J-20's frontal stealth focus. It's a core 5th-gen feature, allowing passive operations without radar emissions. Not claimed as perfectly "radar-invisible" as F-35/TOYGUN but designed to minimize RCS impact

Bruh, that is some mental gymnastics and salad of words there.

China should first develop high-quality Targeting pods to match with Turkish/American/Israeli technologies for E/O Systems

China does have high quality targeting pods. Your lack of knowledge does not negate that.

 

[MMM-E]

Bruh, that is some mental gymnastics and salad of words there.



China does have high quality targeting pods. Your lack of knowledge does not negate that.

China doesnt have high quality Targetig Pod to match with Western technology ( USA-Turkiye-France-Israel )

China doesnt have technology to produce even QWIP /InGaAs/InSb/HgCdTe used in military electro-optical systems like EOTS, IRST, FLIR and targeting Pods

You have no knowledge

China and Russia are inferior to Western Countries in E/O Systems , whole world knows about it

 

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AKINCI strategic strike UCAV is strong of the Turkish Air Force


There is no publicly named Chinese EO/IR pod that directly matches the ASELFLIR-600’s size, performance, or multi-spectral capabilities as of 2026


Chinese HALE/MALE UCAVs (Wing Loong III, CH-5 Rainbow) use external EO/IR pods, but these are smaller and less capable


Turkish ASELFLIR-600 is a large 25-inch (325 mm) stabilized gimbal pod

• 1280×1024 HD MWIR
• 1920×1080 FHD Day TV
• HD SWIR
• Laser designation/rangefinding (60 km+)
• Proven 225 km clear imaging with AI

AKINCI is NATO's deadliest UCAV
It can see Air Bases and Air Defense Systems from 225 km away and to fire 500+ km 300-ER air launched Ballistic Missiles with TV camera seeker for pinpoint accuracy

Thanks to MURAD AESA Radar and ASELFLIR-600 E/O System

 

[hyperman]

 

[hyperman]

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[eIsQengiz]

AKINCI strategic strike UCAV is strong of the Turkish Air Force


There is no publicly named Chinese EO/IR pod that directly matches the ASELFLIR-600’s size, performance, or multi-spectral capabilities as of 2026


Chinese HALE/MALE UCAVs (Wing Loong III, CH-5 Rainbow) use external EO/IR pods, but these are smaller and less capable


Turkish ASELFLIR-600 is a large 25-inch (325 mm) stabilized gimbal pod

• 1280×1024 HD MWIR
• 1920×1080 FHD Day TV
• HD SWIR
• Laser designation/rangefinding (60 km+)
• Proven 225 km clear imaging with AI

View attachment 193534
View attachment 193535

AKINCI is NATO's deadliest UCAV
It can see Air Bases and Air Defense Systems from 225 km away and to fire 500+ km 300-ER air launched Ballistic Missiles with TV camera seeker for pinpoint accuracy

Thanks to MURAD AESA Radar and ASELFLIR-600 E/O System
View attachment 193537

Given the KAAN's stealth-based air superiority capabilities, should TAI develop a heavy, twin-engine, two-seat attack/electronic warfare aircraft powered by the Güçhan engine?

This platform would need to have a long combat radius, a high payload capacity, the ability to carry Gazap-class bombs, and sufficient survivability to counter modern fighters. If its external hardpoints could accommodate systems such as the Aselsan Aselflir-600, it could serve as a long-range attack or bombing platform.

Which do you think would be more suitable for this role: a twin-engine fighter-bomber platform or something closer to the Anka-4 concept?

 

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Eurofighter, KAAN and KIZILELMA to operate together

According to BAE Systems, the Eurofighter Typhoons that Turkey plans to procure will operate in integrated fashion with KAAN, F-16 ÖZGÜR, KIZILELMA, and ANKA-3.In the first phase, delivery of 20 Tranche 4 Eurofighters is planned starting from 2030, equipped with AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare systems, and Meteor and Storm Shadow missiles.

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[MMM-E]

ANKA III new brochure includes changes:


Length: 8.9m (previously 7.9m)
Wingspan: 13.1m (previously 12.5m)
Height: 2.6m (previously 2.5m)
Take-off weight: 7,250kg (previously 6,500kg)
Payload: 1,600kg (previously 1,200kg)

Service ceiling : 40.000 feet
Combat radus : 750 km air to ground .... 1075 km air to air
Max Speed : mach 0.7

AESA Radar
EOTS
IRST

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ANKA-3 will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by 2027
Thus, Turkiye will become the first country in Europe to use Flying Wing stealth UCAV

 

[xbat]

delivery date was due 2024, later 2025, later 2026 and now 2027, i think there is somebody who is very relax