The Turkish firm Baykar has tested a prototype of the Bayraktar Kizilelma, an indigenous unmanned fighter jet.
Building on earlier tests, the company upgraded the prototype to enhance performance, including structural improvements to the aircraft’s avionics architecture.
The Bayraktar Kizilelma completed the test using an integrated afterburner engine.
With improved maneuverability, the upgraded engine brings the aircraft closer to achieving supersonic speeds.
The drone also features an AESA radar for better situational awareness.
The company stated that the Kizilelma’s development is progressing according to the established test timeline, with the aircraft set to become Turkey’s first unmanned fighter jet.
Bayraktar Kizilelma
The system is designed for high-performance operations, featuring a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) and an operational altitude of 25,000 feet (7,620 meters).
The platform boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 8,500 kilograms (18,739 pounds), a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms (3,307 pounds), and an endurance of over four hours.
Additionally, the aircraft can integrate laser-guided munitions and long-range cruise missiles.
Once fully developed, the Bayraktar Kizilelma will be capable of takeoffs and landings on short-runway aircraft carriers.
Boosting Exports
Baykar is a leading company in the Turkish defense sector and the global market.
In 2024, exports accounted for 90 percent of the company’s revenue.
The firm reported $1.8 billion in exports in 2023, placing it among Turkey’s top 10 exporters across all sectors.
Baykar is a key supplier of unmanned aerial vehicles, having signed export agreements with 35 countries — 34 for the Bayraktar TB2 drone and 10 for the Bayraktar Akinci.
