Tag: 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