ASELSAN’s MURAD 100-A AESA Radar Completes First Flight on Bayraktar KIZILELMA

Turkey has achieved a major milestone in its quest for self-reliance in advanced airborne radar systems. ASELSAN’s MURAD 100-A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar has successfully completed its first flight on the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of Turkish defence electronics.

The flight test demonstrated the radar’s capability to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with agile electronic beam steering and high precision. ASELSAN confirmed that the system successfully detected, tracked, and engaged multiple targets simultaneously, proving its ability to support beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile guidance.

“The successful first flight confirms the radar’s adaptability to different aerial platforms and its readiness for operational deployment,” ASELSAN stated after the test.

Building on Previous Success

The MURAD 100-A radar was first integrated on the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV in 2024, with successful flight tests conducted in February 2025. Its latest integration with KIZILELMA — Turkey’s jet-powered stealth UCAV designed for combat roles — underscores the radar’s flexibility and maturity. The system’s adaptability across multiple platforms positions it as a core sensor for Turkey’s manned and unmanned aerial fleet.

Technological Highlights

ASELSAN has emphasized that the MURAD 100-A radar represents a new generation of Turkish radar engineering. Built with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, it offers higher power efficiency, reduced thermal load, and enhanced range compared to traditional radar architectures.

Key technologies include:

• Agile electronic beam steering in azimuth and elevation.

• Digital beam forming at sub-array level for faster, more accurate target detection.

• Time-interleaved operation for simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground tasks.

• Wide frequency coverage, enabling superior detection and resistance to jamming.

• GaN-based power amplification for high efficiency and output.

• Multi-target detection, tracking, and BVR missile guidance capability.

ASELSAN described the radar as being designed for “modern aerial warfare,” combining wide frequency coverage with high detection performance and precision-guided engagement capabilities.

Operational Roles and Capabilities

The MURAD 100-A radar supports a full suite of operational modes:

Air-to-Air Modes:

• Beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile guidance

• All-aspect and high-aspect search

• Multi-target tracking

• Weather mapping and helicopter detection

Air-to-Ground Modes:

• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging (stripmap and spotlight)

• Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) and Tracking (GMTT)

• Fixed target tracking and ground mapping

• Air-to-ground ranging for precision strike missions

Open-source reports suggest the radar can detect targets at ranges up to approximately 200 km, depending on target size and operating conditions.

Integration on Bayraktar KIZILELMA

The integration of the MURAD 100-A on the Bayraktar KIZILELMA brings high-end radar performance to an unmanned stealth platform. The combination allows KIZILELMA to conduct complex combat missions, including simultaneous air superiority and precision strike operations.

The radar’s ability to guide multiple missiles and track several targets concurrently makes it a key enabler for KIZILELMA’s envisioned role as a force multiplier in networked warfare. It also sets the stage for man–unmanned teaming, where KIZILELMA could operate alongside piloted fighters like the Turkish KAAN or F-16s equipped with similar radar systems.

Specifications

Strategic Importance

The MURAD 100-A is more than a radar — it’s a symbol of technological sovereignty. By mastering AESA radar design and production, Turkey reduces reliance on foreign suppliers for one of the most critical components in modern air combat systems.

The radar’s modular, scalable design also paves the way for future integration into the KAAN 5th-generation fighter and upgraded F-16 modernization programs, alongside export-ready variants for allied nations.

ASELSAN is expected to move toward serial production following these successful flight trials, with more platforms to be equipped in the coming year.

The successful flight of ASELSAN’s MURAD 100-A AESA radar on Bayraktar KIZILELMA marks a transformative step in Turkey’s aerospace ambitions. With its multi-mission versatility, advanced GaN-based architecture, and proven adaptability, the radar stands as one of the most sophisticated systems developed by the Turkish defence industry.

As integration continues across different platforms, the MURAD radar family will form the core of Turkey’s next-generation air combat sensor network, cementing ASELSAN’s role as a global contender in advanced radar technology