Baykar’s unmanned fighter Bayraktar KIZILELMA achieved direct hits with ASELSAN’s TOLUN and ROKETSAN’s TEBER-82 munitions in its first live-fire trials.
The company's official news release says that Baykar's unmanned fighter hit targets directly with ASELSAN's TOLUN and ROKETSAN's TEBER-82 missiles during its initial live-fire tests.
Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Turkey's first unmanned fighter plane made in Turkiye, passed its maiden live-fire test by hitting targets with precision-guided missiles. Baykar made the news in a press statement on October 8, after test flights were place in the Çorlu area of Tekirdağ.
The third prototype, designated PT-3, carried out two separate sorties as part of the trials held at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Centre. In the first flight, KIZILELMA launched ASELSAN’s TOLUN precision munition and hit the target with full accuracy. During the second sortie, the UAV— armed with ROKETSAN’s TEBER-82 Winged Guidance Kit — successfully destroyed target.
Baykar says that KIZILELMA's new engine makes it almost as fast as sound, and improvements to its aerodynamics make it easier to move quickly. Its AESA radar system is meant to give improved situational awareness, which lets it work in complicated mission settings.
Launched in 2021 and funded entirely through Baykar’s own resources, the KIZILELMA programme has progressed to serial production even as testing continues. The unmanned fighter is expected to enter service in 2026.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
