Türkiye’s 1st unmanned fighter jet Bayraktar Kizilelma passes key flight test

The production prototype of Turkish defense giant Baykar’s Bayraktar Kizilelma, Türkiye’s first-ever unmanned fighter jet, successfully passes another flight test. The development of Bayraktar Kizilelma, Baykar’s indigenous and original aircraft, continues according to the established test timeline.

System identification test

The production prototype of the indigenous unmanned fighter jet, Bayraktar Kizilelma PT-3 (tail number TC-OZB3), successfully completed another flight test at the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu, Tekirdag.

During the test, the aircraft also conducted system identification activities.

More powerful, more agile

Baykar continues to rapidly develop the Bayraktar Kizilelma, Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet. Building on the experience gained from the initial prototypes, the company has made significant modifications to the production prototype, including structural improvements and advancements in the aircraft’s avionics architecture. In this context, the Bayraktar Kizilelma has flown with a successfully integrated afterburner engine alternative.

With its new, more powerful engine, the aircraft is set to approach the speed of sound, enabling superior maneuverability at higher speeds, thanks to aerodynamic improvements. Equipped with an AESA radar, which provides high situational awareness, the Bayraktar Kizilelma will be capable of accomplishing even the most challenging missions.

Airborne in record time

Baykar launched Project Bayraktar Kizilelma, fully self-financed, in 2021. The Bayraktar Kizilelma rolled off the production line on November 14, 2022, and was deployed to the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu, Tekirdag.

After completing and swiftly passing all ground tests at the center, the aircraft made its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. In just one year, the Bayraktar Kizilelma took to the skies—setting a record time.

Many firsts in aviation history

The Bayraktar Kizilelma achieved unprecedented milestones in global aviation history during Teknofest 2023. After completing formation flights with the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV, the aircraft performed a close formation flight as part of a fleet alongside the F-16 fighter jet Soloturk and the F-5 jets known as the Turkish Stars above Istanbul on May 1, 2023.

These flight concepts, which represent a turning point in global aviation history, are set to shape the future of aerial warfare.

Cabaple of taking off and landing on short-runway vessels

Capable of taking off and landing on short-runway vessels, the Bayraktar Kizilelma will be a revolutionary platform in the field of combat.

Built to operate on short-runway vessels like TCG Anadolu—which Türkiye constructed and is currently conducting cruise tests with—the aircraft will play a pivotal role in overseas missions. This capability positions it strategically in the defense of the Blue Homeland.

Export champion

Baykar, which has self-funded all its projects since its establishment, has generated 83% of its total revenue from exports since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003.

In 2023, the company exported $1.8 billion worth of goods and services, ranking among Türkiye’s top 10 exporters across all sectors. As the leading company in the global unmanned aerial vehicle export market, Baykar’s exports reached $1.8 billion in 2024, accounting for 90% of its total revenue.

Export to 35 countries

Having proudly received the Champions of Export Award, Baykar led Türkiye’s defense and aviation sector in exports in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM).

The company generated over 90% of its revenue from exports, single-handedly accounting for one-third of Türkiye’s defense and aviation sector’s exports in 2023.

Furthermore, 97.5% of Baykar’s current contracts, making it the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, are export-driven. To date, the company has signed export agreements with 35 countries—34 for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and 10 for the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV.