Turkiye's future unmanned jet fighter “KIZILELMA” passes another milestone – Naval News

On March 7, 2025, Türkiye’s leading drone manufacturer Baykar announced that its unmanned fighter jet, BAYRAKTAR KIZILELMA, successfully completed Aerodynamic System Identification Tests at the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Center. The jet is planned to be deployed onboard the TCG ANADOLU, the flagship of the Turkish Navy.

Baykar press release – Translated by Naval News

Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet developed entirely with Baykar’s self-funded resources, continues its flight test campaign in line with the planned schedule.

On March 6, Bayraktar KIZILELMA successfully completed the Aerodynamic System Identification Test. The production prototype, with tail number TC-OZB3 (PT3), took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, and successfully carried out aerodynamic system identification activities during the test flight.

Based on the experience gained from initial prototypes, the production prototype of Bayraktar KIZILELMA has undergone significant improvements. Along with structural enhancements, its avionics architecture has been upgraded. The aircraft also completed a flight with its afterburner-integrated engine alternative, which has been successfully integrated into the system. With its new powerful engine, Bayraktar KIZILELMA will approach supersonic speeds and deliver better maneuverability at high speeds thanks to aerodynamic refinements. Equipped with an AESA radar for high situational awareness, it will be capable of executing the most demanding missions.

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA project, initiated in 2021 with 100% Baykar‘s own equity, achieved its maiden flight in record time. The aircraft, with tail number TC-ÖZB, rolled off the production line on November 14, 2022, and was transferred to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu. After rapidly completing ground tests, Bayraktar KIZILELMA successfully performed its first flight on December 14, 2022, taking to the skies in just one year.

During TEKNOFEST 2023, Bayraktar KIZILELMA made groundbreaking flights in world aviation history. It performed formation flights with the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, and on May 1, 2023, conducted formation flights over Istanbul with the SOLOTÜRK F-16 fighter jet and the Turkish Stars F-5 jets, showcasing the fleet concept. These unprecedented flight demonstrations mark a milestone in aviation history and are set to shape the future of air combat.

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Author’s comments

KIZILELMA is one of Baykar Tech’s most significant projects, set to become the primary air combat power of TCG Anadolu, Turkish Navy’s flagship, once operational. This unmanned fighter jet is supported by a robust artificial intelligence infrastructure, enabling advanced autonomous capabilities such as autonomous take-off and landing on aircraft carriers or LHDs, station-controlled missions, and autonomous dogfighting. With its stealth design, offering a low radar cross-section, and a diverse weapons portfolio, KIZILELMA is emerging as a highly promising asset for future carrier-based operations.

Earlier this week, Baykar signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Leonardo, a move that could open the doors of the European market for Baykar’s drones. With the Eurodrone project progressing sluggishly, heightened security concerns from Russia, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy under a possible Trump administration, European countries may seek alternative, reliable drone solutions. Baykar’s combat-proven UAVs — especially the AKINCI — stand out with their cutting-edge technology, extensive weapon integration, impressive operational track record, and rapid availability. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them emerge as the rising star of Europe’s drone market in the near future.

Additionally, KIZILELMA is widely regarded by experts as a future loyal wingman candidate to support 6th-generation fighter jets in various combat roles. By offloading tasks from high-cost platforms like the F-35, KIZILELMA holds the potential to reduce operational costs while enhancing overall naval scene effectiveness, making it one of the most versatile unmanned platforms of the next era of naval and air warfare.