Bayraktar KIZILELMA: Türkiye's First Unmanned Fighter Jet Advances with Successful Flight Test

Baykar Technologies, Türkiye's leading drone manufacturer, continues to make strides in aviation innovation with its Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet. Recently, the company announced the successful completion of a critical flight test for the production prototype Bayraktar KIZILELMA PT-3 (tail number TC-ÖZB3). Conducted at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, the test focused on system identification activities, confirming the jet's capabilities and readiness for advanced development stages.

Key Specifications and Design Features

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA is designed to redefine aerial combat with advanced technology and groundbreaking features:

• Powerful Propulsion: The integration of an afterburner engine allows the aircraft to achieve near-supersonic speeds, enhancing its performance in high-stakes missions.
• Advanced AESA Radar: Equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the KIZILELMA offers exceptional situational awareness, enabling precision targeting and effective threat detection.
• Aerodynamic Refinements: Structural enhancements and streamlined designs improve the jet’s agility and operational range.
• Short-Runway Capability: The aircraft is engineered to take off and land on vessels with short runways, including Türkiye’s TCG Anadolu, providing strategic value for naval operations.

Development Timeline and Achievements

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA project began in 2021, with Baykar Technologies fully funding its development. The production prototype rolled off the assembly line on November 14, 2022, and completed its maiden flight just a month later, on December 14, 2022. Since then, it has achieved numerous milestones:

1. Formation Flights: In 2023, the KIZILELMA conducted formation flights alongside the Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle and Türkiye’s manned fighter jets, such as the F-16 SOLOTÜRK and F-5 Turkish Stars, during TEKNOFEST 2023. These flights demonstrated its interoperability in mixed airspace operations.

2. Maritime Flexibility: The jet's ability to operate from short-runway vessels enhances its deployability for naval missions and overseas operations, aligning with Türkiye's strategic defense goals.

Export Potential and Global Reach

Baykar Technologies is a key player in Türkiye's defense sector, with 90% of its $1.8 billion revenue in 2023 generated from exports. The company has already signed agreements with 35 countries for its Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI drones, and the KIZILELMA is poised to further expand this market reach.

Strategic Implications

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA represents a significant leap for Türkiye in unmanned aerial technology. With its advanced systems, enhanced maneuverability, and ability to integrate seamlessly with manned and unmanned platforms, the jet is set to play a transformative role in modern aerial combat. Its versatility, particularly in naval operations, makes it a strategic asset for Türkiye’s defense forces and a promising contender in the global unmanned aircraft market.

Baykar Technologies’ rapid progress with the KIZILELMA project underscores its commitment to innovation and its ambition to position Türkiye as a global leader in the defense aviation sector.