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Türkiye's unmanned fighter aircraft Bayraktar Kizilelma completed its first captive flight test successfully, carrying Aselsan's TOLUN precision munition, marking a significant milestone in the drone's weapons integration phase.
Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar and the company shared footage of the test on social media platforms, showing the third prototype of Kizilelma carrying two SADAK-4T smart racks, each fitted with one TOLUN small-diameter bomb on external hardpoints.
Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) head Haluk Gorgun emphasized the test's strategic importance for Türkiye's defense capabilities.
"This important test is not just about munition integration, but a strategic indicator of the stage our air-ground integration capability has reached," Gorgun stated.
"When TOLUN's precision strike capability combines with Kizilelma's maneuverability, the resulting picture will shape future combat doctrines," he noted.
Gorgun added that the achievement represents "just a beginning" for Türkiye's indigenous defense industry, congratulating both Baykar and Aselsan teams for their engineering efforts.
The Kizilelma fighter UAV features impressive specifications designed for future unmanned air combat scenarios. With a maximum takeoff weight of 8,500 kilograms (kg) and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg, the aircraft can reach speeds up to Mach 0.9 with a cruise speed of Mach 0.6.
The unmanned fighter boasts a 45,000-foot service ceiling, 25,000-foot operational altitude, and over three hours of endurance with a 500 nautical mile combat radius.
Its advanced features include low radar cross-section for stealth capabilities, high maneuverability, and the ability to take off and land from short-runway aircraft carriers.
The TOLUN integration marks the beginning of Kizilelma's comprehensive munitions testing phase. The aircraft is designed to carry both air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons in internal weapon bays or on external hardpoints.
Future testing is expected to include additional air-to-surface munitions such as the Cakir cruise missile and various guidance kits.
The Bozdogan within-visual-range air-to-air missile may undergo testing sooner since it uses infrared guidance and can launch without radar assistance.
1 min read
Currently, two Kizilelma prototypes—PT-3 and PT-4—equipped with AI-322 series afterburning turbofan engines continue flight tests.
The aircraft's development represents Baykar's transition from successful tactical drones to advanced unmanned fighter systems.
The Kizilelma's dimensions include a 10-meter wingspan, 14.5-meter length, and 3.5-meter height.
The system features autonomous takeoff, landing, cruise, and taxi capabilities, along with advanced sensors, including an electro-optical targeting system, an infrared search and track system, and a multi-mode AESA radar, planned for future integration.
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