Türkiye’s defense industry has marked another historic milestone. The Baykar-developed AKINCI Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) successfully completed its first flight with ASELSAN’s domestically engineered MURAD Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This achievement signifies far more than the mere testing of a new sensor; it reflects Türkiye’s steady progression toward network-centric warfare and advanced air combat capabilities powered by indigenous technology.

Unlike traditional mechanically scanned radars, the AESA system uses electronically steered beams, providing faster scanning, multiple simultaneous target tracking, and high resistance to electronic warfare. The MURAD radar, fully developed with local hardware and software, enhances situational awareness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, offering greater range, accuracy, and survivability. Defense experts underline that AKINCI’s integration with MURAD may soon enable it to carry and fire indigenous air-to-air missiles — a groundbreaking development that would redefine the role of unmanned systems in aerial combat.

The initial phase will focus on radar calibration and optimization based on flight test data, followed by communication tests ensuring uninterrupted, low-latency data links between the radar, UCAV, and ground control stations. Once these steps are completed, Türkiye could achieve a world-first: an unmanned aerial vehicle detecting and engaging an air target using a fully indigenous AESA radar and air-to-air missile combination.

Given the global demand for Turkish UCAVs, an AESA-equipped AKINCI is expected to attract strong international interest. The system’s long endurance, low operational cost, and reduced pilot risk make it a highly competitive option for modern air forces. Ultimately, the integration of the MURAD radar onto the AKINCI platform marks a strategic turning point — one that not only boosts Türkiye’s technological autonomy but also positions it as a leader in next-generation unmanned air combat capabilities.