Türkiye is recording one of the turning points in aviation history with Bayraktar KIZILELMA. In the test carried out off the coast of Sinop, an unmanned warplane that fired against a jet-powered target with an air-to-air missile for the first time performed without any problems. This platform, developed by Baykar entirely with national resources, was recorded as a reference case showing that unmanned aerial vehicles can also be used in air-air missions.
The meeting with five F-16s taking off from Merzifon 5th Main Jet Base made it possible to fly in the sky with Bayraktar KIZILELMA. Scenes of future air combat concepts with manned-unmanned cooperation were unveiled. Meanwhile, an AKINCI TİHA accompanied the flight and recorded the moments from the air.
UNSEEN DISCOVERY, HIT OPPORTUNITYThe high-speed jet engine target aircraft, which is the basic element of the test, was detected and monitored by the MURAD AESA radar on KIZILELMA, and after the target was marked by the radar, KIZILELMA fired the national missile called GÖKDOĞAN. The missile hit the target accurately and was recorded as proof of the national air-air attack capability.
This step showed that all stages of the air-air mission chain can be carried out with national resources. Thus, it symbolized the beginning of a new era with the integration of Türkiye’s unmanned warplane, national radar, national missile and national ammunition.
Among the senior figures in aviation history who supervised these tests were Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu and Combat Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran. The equipment included national solutions such as ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA Radar and TOYGUN Targeting System, and the GÖKDOĞAN missile developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE.
Bayraktar KIZILELMA had success in hitting targets with TOLUN and TEBER-82 ammunition in previous tests. Now, it stands out as part of a concept in which air-to-air capability is also supported by national resources.
Export and national defense ecosystemBaykar has been carrying out all its projects with its own resources since 2003 and has gradually increased exports over the years. Baykar, which was among Türkiye’s export leaders in 2023 and 2024, is an important player in the global market with a significant share in the defense and aerospace sectors. Export agreements have been signed with 36 and 16 countries on a global scale with Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI projects.
