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Turkish defense giant Aselsan’s low-observable Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Toygun, has been successfully integrated into Bayraktar Kizilelma, Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter aircraft, marking a critical technological milestone, the system’s developers said Monday.
Baykar, the developer of Kizilelma, said the flight test was conducted at the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu last week, where Toygun’s performance was verified across various mission profiles. The integration marks another major advancement in Türkiye’s indigenous defense aviation capabilities.
Toygun, developed entirely with domestic engineering by Aselsan, is described as the most advanced Turkish EOTS product in the infrared band. It enables precision targeting while maintaining the aircraft’s low radar visibility, a key requirement for unmanned stealth combat operations.
Baykar said Toygun demonstrated stable imaging at various altitudes and speeds, long-range target tracking, and precise laser targeting.
It also maintained uninterrupted data exchange with Kizilelma’s onboard mission computer and continued functioning under harsh environmental conditions. Officials confirmed that all technical benchmarks necessary for serial production were met.
This is the first known instance of an embedded EOTS being integrated into an unmanned fighter aircraft.
While traditional fighter platforms like the F-16 use external targeting pods, the internal integration of Toygun allows Kizilelma to maintain its stealth profile without compromising targeting ability.
Similar EOTS capabilities are found internally only on fifth-generation manned aircraft such as the U.S.-made F-35. With this integration, Türkiye becomes one of only three countries worldwide to possess such advanced technology on a combat aircraft.
Developed with a Kizilelma-specific engineering approach, Toygun features a wide-spectrum infrared scanning system that enhances 360-degree situational awareness. It can detect and classify land or maritime targets from long distances using high-resolution imaging and artificial intelligence–supported tracking.
Thanks to Toygun, Bayraktar Kizilelma will be able to penetrate deep into enemy territory, designate targets using laser guidance, and engage with domestically developed munitions—all without compromising its low observability.
Baykar noted that Kizilelma's new capabilities will significantly strengthen Türkiye’s deterrence and operational autonomy in air combat.
Baykar has funded its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs entirely through its own resources since launching UAV R&D activities in 2003.
The company generated 83% of its revenue from exports and achieved $1.8 billion in exports in both 2023 and 2024, with 90% of its 2024 revenue coming from foreign sales.
Baykar ranked among Türkiye’s top 10 exporters across all sectors in 2023 and 2024 and received the Champions of Export Award both years. It also led the country’s defense and aviation exports for four consecutive years between 2021 and 2024, accounting for one-third of the sector’s exports in 2023 and one-quarter in 2024.
The company has signed export agreements with 36 countries for its Bayraktar TB2 UAV and with 16 countries for the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV, making it the world’s largest manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles.
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