Bayraktar KIZILELMA Advances Testing with Successful Aerodynamics System Identification Flight
Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first indigenous unmanned fighter jet, has reached another milestone in its rigorous testing campaign. Developed by Baykar Technologies, the cutting-edge UAV successfully conducted an Aerodynamics System Identification Test on 6 March at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ. The test, carried out using the production prototype PT3 (tail number TC-OZB3), marks a crucial step in refining the aircraft’s performance as it moves toward operational deployment.
The recent test flight focused on evaluating the aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft, a critical aspect for ensuring stability and maneuverability in real combat scenarios. One of the most notable advancements was the integration of an alternative engine featuring an afterburner, enabling KIZILELMA to reach transonic speeds and perform advanced flight maneuvers. This capability brings it closer to the performance levels expected from manned fighter jets, setting a new standard in the realm of unmanned combat aviation.
Bayraktar KIZILELMA has undergone continuous design enhancements, incorporating structural reinforcements and upgraded avionics systems to optimize its combat effectiveness. Equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, it boasts high situational awareness, allowing it to engage in complex missions such as air-to-air combat, ground strikes, and electronic warfare. The aircraft’s stealth-oriented design, coupled with its ability to operate from short runways, including aircraft carriers like the TCG Anadolu, enhances its operational versatility.
The development of Bayraktar KIZILELMA has been a remarkable feat, with Baykar launching the project in 2021 as a fully self-financed endeavor. In just a year, the aircraft took its maiden flight on 14 December 2022, showcasing the company’s efficiency in defense technology innovation. Since then, it has achieved several groundbreaking milestones, including flying in formation with manned fighter jets at TEKNOFEST 2023—an achievement that highlights the future of integrated manned-unmanned combat operations.
Baykar Technologies has established itself as a dominant player in the global UAV market, with exports accounting for 90% of its revenue. The company recorded $1.8 billion in exports in 2023 and 2024, securing its status as the world’s largest UAV exporter. With the continued success of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye is solidifying its position as a leader in next-generation aerial warfare technology.
Bayraktar KIZILELMA Specifications:
- Length: 14.7 meters
- Wingspan: 10 meters
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,000 kg
- Payload Capacity: 1,500 kg
- Engine: AI-322F (afterburning turbofan) or AI-25TLT (non-afterburning turbofan)
- Speed: Near-supersonic (with AI-322F engine)
- Operational Ceiling: 35,000 ft
- Endurance: 5 hours
- Radar: AESA radar for advanced target acquisition
- Armament: Air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, guided munitions
- Stealth Features: Low radar cross-section design
- Carrier Compatibility: Capable of operating from short-runway aircraft carriers
With its rapid advancements and technological breakthroughs, Bayraktar KIZILELMA is on track to redefine unmanned air combat, ushering in a new era of autonomous aerial warfare.
