Baykar, one of the pioneers of Turkey’s defense industry, has achieved another milestone in the development of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, the country’s first unmanned fighter aircraft. Designed and produced entirely with national resources, KIZILELMA successfully passed the Aerodynamic System Identification Test conducted at Baykar’s AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ.

During the test, the PT3 prototype of KIZILELMA performed a 53-minute flight at medium altitude, demonstrating stable aerodynamic performance and system integrity. Engineers implemented significant structural reinforcements and avionics architecture upgrades based on feedback from earlier prototypes. The aircraft’s newly integrated afterburning engine now allows it to approach supersonic speeds, marking a major step forward in Turkey’s aerospace capabilities.

Equipped with an advanced AESA radar, Bayraktar KIZILELMA provides superior situational awareness and enhanced maneuverability at high speeds. Its optimized aerodynamic design allows for tighter turns and improved control during complex missions. The aircraft is also being developed to operate seamlessly alongside manned fighter jets, forming the foundation of future manned-unmanned teaming operations.

Launched in 2021 with Baykar’s 100% self-financing, the KIZILELMA project achieved its first flight in December 2022 — just one year after the start of production — making it one of the fastest-developed combat aircraft in history. During TEKNOFEST 2023, KIZILELMA made aviation history by performing formation flights with the Bayraktar AKINCI, F-16 SOLOTÜRK, and the Turkish Stars aerobatic team, showcasing Turkey’s growing dominance in next-generation air warfare technologies.

Baykar has since become the world’s leading UAV exporter, signing agreements with 36 countries and generating $1.8 billion in exports in both 2023 and 2024. Accounting for nearly a quarter of Turkey’s total defense and aerospace exports, Baykar continues to lead globally with its innovative unmanned systems. Once fully operational, KIZILELMA will significantly strengthen the deterrence and combat readiness of the Turkish Air Force.