Tag: KIZILELELMA

Bayraktar KIZILELMA

Kızılelma: Türkiye's First Unmanned Combat Aircraft

Bayraktar Kızılelma is a project developed by Baykar that has gone down in history as Türkiye's first unmanned combat aircraft (UCA). Having successfully completed its first flight on December 14, 2022, Kızılelma has taken Türkiye to a new level in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and has been a pioneering step in world aviation history.

Production and Local Content Rate

Kızılelma is being developed at Baykar's R&D and production facilities in Istanbul. The avionics systems, mission computers, communication infrastructure, and ammunition integrations used in the project are largely produced with domestic resources. In the long term, the goal is to achieve completely domestic engine integration.

Technical Specifications

  • Class: Unmanned Combat Aircraft (MCA)
  • Length: ~14.7 m
  • Wingspan: ~10 m
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6 tons
  • Payload Capacity: 1,500 kg
  • Maximum Speed: 0.9 Mach (subsonic) – supersonic is targeted in future versions.
  • Range: Operational radius of 930+ km
  • Motor: The first prototype uses the AI-25TLT, with later stages using a domestically produced turbofan engine (TF6000/TF10000).
  • Weapon Systems:
    • Internal weapon bays (stealth compatible)
    • SOM-J cruise missile, Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan air-to-air missiles, smart munitions integration.
  • Avionics: AESA radar, AI-powered mission computer, network-centric warfare capability.
  • Invisibility: Low radar cross-section (stealth design)

Project Timeline and Milestones

  • 2013–2019: Concept development and preliminary design work.
  • 2021: Prototype production process has begun.
  • December 3, 2022: The first low-altitude flight test has been successfully completed.
  • December 14, 2022: The first flight has been carried out.
  • 2023–2024: Taxi tests, engine integration tests, and series flight trials.
  • After 2025: Operational tests, domestic engine integration, and mass production plan.

Technology and Innovations

Kızılelma, in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles “"game changer"” It stands out as a platform.

  • Aircraft carrier compatibility: Ability to take off and land from ships with short runways, such as TCG Anadolu.
  • Network-centric warfare: Ability to conduct joint missions with manned combat aircraft.
  • AI-powered task management
  • Stealth design low visibility thanks to

Security and Operational Capabilities

  • The first unmanned combat aircraft capable of air-to-air combat.
  • High maneuverability
  • Long-range mission capability
  • Domestic ammunition integration
  • Ability to fly in formation with manned aircraft.

Cultural and Strategic Touches

“The name "Kızılelma" (Red Apple) originates from Turkish mythology. the ideal, aspiration, and ultimate victory to be achieved This name means that the aircraft is not only a technological product, but also... A symbol of Türkiye's vision of independence and strategic goals. This shows that

KIZILELMA ROKETSAN JET-230 Supersonic Ballistic Missile Test / Baykar

KIZILELMA Conducts First Supersonic Missile Firing: ROKETSAN JET-230 Scores Direct Hit at 120-Kilometre Range

Bayraktar KIZILELMA achieved a direct hit at a range of 120 kilometres using the ROKETSAN-built JET-230 supersonic missile. The ROKETSAN JET-230 ballistic supersonic missile has been announced as having a range exceeding 200 kilometres.

M346FA / Leonardo

Leonardo M-346 and Bayraktar KIZILELMA Conduct First Autonomous Formation Flight: Pilot Commands Unmanned Combat Aircraft

Leonardo M-346 Pilot Issues Formation Commands to Bayraktar KIZILELMA from the Cockpit. First Live Tests of Crewed/Uncrewed Teaming Under K-SWARM Programme Successfully Completed in Çorlu.

TAI Hürjet, Baykar KIZILELMA

Is Japan's New Trainer Aircraft Candidate HÜRJET? Minister Fidan Signals UAV and Defence Cooperation

Foreign Minister Fidan signalled joint production with Japan in UAVs and unmanned systems. The Japanese press has highlighted TUSAŞ's HÜRJET as a candidate to succeed the JASDF's T-4 fleet. The Airbus-backed HÜRJET is a rival to the FA-50.

Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan Air-to-Air Missiles

Turkish Air-to-Air Missiles GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN Successfully Pass Warhead Firing Tests

GÖKDOĞAN (65+ km, active radar) and BOZDOĞAN (25+ km, IIR) have passed their live warhead tests. The domestic rivals to the AMRAAM and Sidewinder are ready for the TAF inventory. They will be integrated onto the AKINCI and KIZILELMA.

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken at the Presidency of Defence Industries / Haluk Görgün

Belgian Defence Minister Francken: "We Took Türkiye as a Role Model, We Were Impressed by Kızılelma"

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken announced that he was impressed by Kızılelma, took Türkiye as a role model, and requested cooperation regarding SAFE loans.

Baykar's Bayraktar KIZILELMA is on the runway.

We Had No Plans to Sell KIZILELMA: Behind the Scenes of Baykar’s Export Deal with Indonesia

Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar announced that they did not market KIZILELMA abroad, but Indonesia insisted for a year to secure the first export contract.

TEI TF10000 Advanced Material Production Has Begun

Türkiye's First Turbofan Engine Prepares for Testing: Advanced Material Production Begins for the TEI TF10000

TEI and TÜBİTAK MAM have signed a contract for single crystal casting and EB-PVD coating for Türkiye's first turbofan engine, the TEI TF10000. The engine is counting down to real-world tests.

SAHA EXPO 2026 / Haluk Bayraktar

$8 Billion Worth of New Contracts Signed in Just 3 Days: Turkish Defence Industry Sets Its Sights on the World's Top 10

Türkiye is challenging global giants, having surpassed $10.6 billion in defence exports. With $8 billion in contracts from SAHA EXPO, the target of breaking into the top 10 is drawing closer.

Baykar Indonesia KIZILELMA Export / SAHA Expo

First Export for Unmanned Combat Aircraft: Indonesia Acquires KIZILELMA

Baykar signed the first export contract for the KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft with the Indonesian company PT Republik Aero Dirgantara. Deliveries begin in 2028.

Fergani Space, Uluğ Bey, FGN-100-D3 / Space X

A New Step Towards the National GPS Goal: Fergani FGN-100-D3 Satellite in Space

Fergani Space successfully launched its fifth test satellite, FGN-100-D3, focusing on communication and navigation towards the goal of the Uluğ Bey Global Positioning System.

TÜBİTAK SOM Cruise Missile Family Cover

The Smart Power of Deep Strike: TÜBİTAK SAGE SOM Cruise Missile Family and Technical Analysis

A detailed review of the TUBITAK SAGE SOM Cruise Missile family (A, B1, B2, C1, C2, and SOM-J), including its 250+ km range, Mach 0.9 speed, and technological variants.

SOM-J is ready for KAAN and KIZILELMA.

A New Era in Deep Strike: SOM-J, the Smart Missile for KIZILELMA and KAAN, is Ready

The SOM-J cruise missile, developed by TUBITAK SAGE, accurately hit its target with a live warhead. Discover the features of the missile to be integrated into KIZILELMA and KAAN.