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Bayraktar Kizilelma hits target with supersonic JET-230 missile

The photo shows Roketsan's JET-230 supersonic missile being launched from a Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned fighter aircraft during a live-fire test on July 13, 2026. (Screengrab from video/Baykar/HO)
July 14, 2026 10:57 AM GMT+03:00

Türkiye's first unmanned fighter aircraft (UFA), Bayraktar Kizilelma, successfully struck its target in its first live-fire test using Roketsan's air-to-surface supersonic JET-230 missile, developer Baykar announced on Monday.

According to Baykar, the test marks another milestone in the aircraft's development as integration of new capabilities continues.

The firing test was conducted at the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon.

The photo shows Roketsan's JET-230 supersonic missile on a Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned fighter aircraft during a live-fire test on July 13, 2026. (Screengrab from video/Baykar/HO)
The photo shows Roketsan's JET-230 supersonic missile on a Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned fighter aircraft during a live-fire test on July 13, 2026. (Screengrab from video/Baykar/HO)

The serial production model bearing tail number S2 departed Baykar's Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu, Tekirdag province, on July 8, before relocating to Merzifon for preparations.

Following testing activities, the unmanned fighter aircraft took off on July 11 carrying two JET-230 supersonic missiles under its wings and headed toward a target over the sea.

Bayraktar Kizilelma launched the JET-230 missile from a range of more than 120 kilometers (74.6 miles), hitting the target with precision. Baykar said the successful test demonstrated the aircraft's ability to carry out critical missions using air-to-surface supersonic munitions.

Leading the test, Baykar Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Selcuk Bayraktar congratulated the team following the successful firing. "Another milestone has been completed. I sincerely congratulate you all, friends," he said.

Integration of domestic munitions accelerates

The integration of domestically developed munitions into Bayraktar Kizilelma has accelerated in recent months, according to Baykar.

The aircraft has previously completed successful firing tests with the Gokdogan air-to-air missile, as well as the Tolun, TEBER-82 KGK, and LGK-82 guided munitions.

The addition of the JET-230 missile further expands the aircraft's operational capabilities against a wider range of targets.

In December 2025, the third and fifth prototypes of Bayraktar Kizilelma carried out what Baykar described as the world's first autonomous close-formation flight by two unmanned fighter aircraft, using swarm autonomy algorithms developed by the company.

Earlier, in November 2025, the aircraft became what Baykar said was the first unmanned fighter aircraft to destroy an aerial target using a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.

During a test conducted off the coast of Sinop, it struck a target aircraft designated by Aselsan's MURAD active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with the Gokdogan missile, developed by TUBITAK SAGE.

The photo shows a radar screen image of Roketsan's JET-230 supersonic missile test, launched from Bayraktar Kizilelma during a live-fire test on July 13, 2026. (Screengrab from video/Baykar/HO)
The photo shows a radar screen image of Roketsan's JET-230 supersonic missile test, launched from Bayraktar Kizilelma during a live-fire test on July 13, 2026. (Screengrab from video/Baykar/HO)

Baykar's export record

Baykar said it has financed all of its projects with its own resources since its founding and has remained the world's largest exporter in the unmanned aerial vehicle segment.

The company recorded $2.2 billion in exports last year, with exports accounting for 90% of its revenue. Baykar has signed export agreements with 39 countries, including 36 for the Bayraktar TB2 armed drone and 16 for the Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

What JET-230 missile adds to Kizilelma's arsenal

According to defense outlet TurDef, Kizilelma gained its first stand-off weapon with this test, striking a naval target 120 kilometers away with the JET-230 aeroballistic missile, which TurDef reported was developed from the UAV-230 missile used on the Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

Baykar has stated the JET-230 can reach a range of over 200 kilometers, an improvement that TurDef attributed to a higher launch speed and possibly greater altitude compared with the UAV-230 when launched from the Akinci, which is rated for 150 kilometers.

The JET-230's naming suggests the missile may eventually be compatible not only with unmanned combat aircraft but also manned combat aircraft such as the F-16.

Roketsan's Cakir compact cruise missile, with a similar range, and the internal-bay-compatible SOM-J cruise missile are expected to follow as additional stand-off weapons for Kizilelma, according to the report.

Roketsan is separately developing a larger 300 ER aeroballistic missile, measuring 370 millimeters in diameter, described as a heavier-hitting weapon with a range exceeding 500 kilometers when fired from fighter jets, which TurDef said will incorporate a TV seeker likely shielded until the terminal phase of flight.

July 14, 2026 11:02 AM GMT+03:00
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