Breaking News: Türkiye’s First Unmanned Fighter Jet Bayraktar KIZILELMA Successfully Completes New Flight Test
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On January 20, 2025, Turkish defense technology company Baykar announced that the production prototype of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first indigenous unmanned fighter jet, has successfully completed yet another critical flight test. The test, conducted at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, saw the aircraft, designated as PT-3 (tail number TC-ÖZB3), performing system identification activities to validate its design and capabilities. The development of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Baykar’s indigenous and original aircraft, continues according to the established test timeline.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet successfully completes a flight test at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, showcasing its advanced capabilities and cutting-edge technology. (Picture source: Baykar)
Turkish Company Baykar continues to rapidly develop the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, with significant modifications introduced to the production prototype based on insights gained from earlier test phases. These improvements include structural enhancements, advancements in the aircraft’s avionics architecture, and the integration of an afterburner engine alternative. With this new, more powerful engine, the aircraft is set to approach the speed of sound, offering superior maneuverability at higher speeds. Aerodynamic improvements further bolster its combat effectiveness. Additionally, the integration of an advanced AESA radar enhances situational awareness, making it capable of performing even the most challenging missions.
Baykar launched Project Bayraktar KIZILELMA in 2021, fully self-financed by the company. The aircraft’s development has progressed rapidly, with the Bayraktar KIZILELMA (tail number TC-ÖZB) rolling off the production line on November 14, 2022, before being deployed to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center. After completing and swiftly passing all ground tests, the aircraft made its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. Achieving such milestones in record time, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA continues to set new standards in the unmanned aerial combat sector.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA also achieved unprecedented milestones in global aviation history during TEKNOFEST 2023. It successfully completed formation flights with the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV and performed a close formation flight alongside Türkiye’s renowned F-16 fighter jet SOLOTÜRK and the Turkish Stars’ F-5 jets above Istanbul on May 1, 2023. These formation flights marked a significant turning point in aviation history, showcasing the unmanned fighter jet’s operational versatility and its potential to work in tandem with manned platforms.
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA is its capability to operate from short-runway vessels. Designed for deployment on platforms such as Türkiye’s flagship amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu, the KIZILELMA will play a critical role in overseas operations. Its ability to take off and land on such vessels positions it strategically in maritime defense, further supporting Türkiye’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA represents a major leap in Türkiye’s defense capabilities, offering cutting-edge technology that enhances operational efficiency and flexibility. Its stealthy design minimizes radar visibility, increasing survivability in contested environments. Equipped to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the aircraft boasts a versatile combat profile capable of engaging multiple threats with high-precision munitions. Additionally, the unmanned fighter jet is integrated with artificial intelligence, enabling autonomous decision-making, target prioritization, and real-time coordination with other military assets.
In terms of technical specifications, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA has a length of 14.7 meters and a wingspan of 10 meters. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg, allowing it to carry a variety of precision-guided munitions and air-to-air missiles. The aircraft is powered by the Ukrainian AI-322F turbofan engine, enabling near-supersonic speeds of Mach 0.9+. It has an operational endurance of over five hours and a combat radius of approximately 930 km. With an operational ceiling exceeding 35,000 feet, the aircraft is well-suited for high-altitude missions.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA is set to revolutionize aerial warfare with its combination of advanced stealth features, network-centric warfare capabilities, and seamless interoperability with existing air assets. Its development underscores Türkiye’s growing prominence in the global defense sector, building upon the success of previous Baykar platforms such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones. As the KIZILELMA nears mass production, it is expected to attract significant interest from international markets, solidifying its role as a game-changing unmanned combat platform.
Baykar remains committed to further refining the KIZILELMA through rigorous testing and development phases. As the aircraft moves closer to operational deployment, it promises to redefine the future of aerial combat, providing Türkiye with a strategic advantage in modern warfare scenarios.
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On January 20, 2025, Turkish defense technology company Baykar announced that the production prototype of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first indigenous unmanned fighter jet, has successfully completed yet another critical flight test. The test, conducted at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, saw the aircraft, designated as PT-3 (tail number TC-ÖZB3), performing system identification activities to validate its design and capabilities. The development of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Baykar’s indigenous and original aircraft, continues according to the established test timeline.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet successfully completes a flight test at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, showcasing its advanced capabilities and cutting-edge technology. (Picture source: Baykar)
Turkish Company Baykar continues to rapidly develop the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, with significant modifications introduced to the production prototype based on insights gained from earlier test phases. These improvements include structural enhancements, advancements in the aircraft’s avionics architecture, and the integration of an afterburner engine alternative. With this new, more powerful engine, the aircraft is set to approach the speed of sound, offering superior maneuverability at higher speeds. Aerodynamic improvements further bolster its combat effectiveness. Additionally, the integration of an advanced AESA radar enhances situational awareness, making it capable of performing even the most challenging missions.
Baykar launched Project Bayraktar KIZILELMA in 2021, fully self-financed by the company. The aircraft’s development has progressed rapidly, with the Bayraktar KIZILELMA (tail number TC-ÖZB) rolling off the production line on November 14, 2022, before being deployed to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center. After completing and swiftly passing all ground tests, the aircraft made its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. Achieving such milestones in record time, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA continues to set new standards in the unmanned aerial combat sector.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA also achieved unprecedented milestones in global aviation history during TEKNOFEST 2023. It successfully completed formation flights with the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV and performed a close formation flight alongside Türkiye’s renowned F-16 fighter jet SOLOTÜRK and the Turkish Stars’ F-5 jets above Istanbul on May 1, 2023. These formation flights marked a significant turning point in aviation history, showcasing the unmanned fighter jet’s operational versatility and its potential to work in tandem with manned platforms.
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA is its capability to operate from short-runway vessels. Designed for deployment on platforms such as Türkiye’s flagship amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu, the KIZILELMA will play a critical role in overseas operations. Its ability to take off and land on such vessels positions it strategically in maritime defense, further supporting Türkiye’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA represents a major leap in Türkiye’s defense capabilities, offering cutting-edge technology that enhances operational efficiency and flexibility. Its stealthy design minimizes radar visibility, increasing survivability in contested environments. Equipped to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the aircraft boasts a versatile combat profile capable of engaging multiple threats with high-precision munitions. Additionally, the unmanned fighter jet is integrated with artificial intelligence, enabling autonomous decision-making, target prioritization, and real-time coordination with other military assets.
In terms of technical specifications, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA has a length of 14.7 meters and a wingspan of 10 meters. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg, allowing it to carry a variety of precision-guided munitions and air-to-air missiles. The aircraft is powered by the Ukrainian AI-322F turbofan engine, enabling near-supersonic speeds of Mach 0.9+. It has an operational endurance of over five hours and a combat radius of approximately 930 km. With an operational ceiling exceeding 35,000 feet, the aircraft is well-suited for high-altitude missions.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA is set to revolutionize aerial warfare with its combination of advanced stealth features, network-centric warfare capabilities, and seamless interoperability with existing air assets. Its development underscores Türkiye’s growing prominence in the global defense sector, building upon the success of previous Baykar platforms such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones. As the KIZILELMA nears mass production, it is expected to attract significant interest from international markets, solidifying its role as a game-changing unmanned combat platform.
Baykar remains committed to further refining the KIZILELMA through rigorous testing and development phases. As the aircraft moves closer to operational deployment, it promises to redefine the future of aerial combat, providing Türkiye with a strategic advantage in modern warfare scenarios.
