(Luft) TAI Kaan (TF-X)

[Schneemann]

Unique Sensor Setup Emerges On Turkey’s Stealthy New Fighter

Photos of the initial TF-X stealth fighter prototype show separate built-in infrared search and track and electro-optical targeting systems. [...] This reportedly includes the installation of a more complete nose section that features faceted enclosures for what appears to be a dedicated infrared search and track sensor system, or IRST, right in front of the cockpit, and a multi-purpose electro-optical targeting system, or EOTS, underneath the forward fuselage. No other advanced combat jet design currently fielded or in development appears to have a similar configuration with completely separate internal IRST and EOTS systems.

Pictures reportedly showing the TF-X prototype with its full nose section installed, among other things, appear to have first emerged online in late December. This was just around a month after Turkish Aerospace Industries, which is developing the jet under the Milli Muharip Ucak (MMU, or National Combat Aircraft) program, had offered the first official look at the jet in a significantly less finished state. [...]

Interestingly, the apparent IRST installation looks similar, in broad strokes, to how Lockheed Martin's TacIRST has been integrated onto F-5 Advanced Tiger (F-5AT) aggressor jets belonging to private firm Tactical Air Support (TacAir). TacIRST on the F-5s features a staring infrared sensor with a fixed forward field of view above the nose.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/un...ew-fighter

Schneemann