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Bayraktar KIZILELMA makes history with first BVR missile test
(MENAFN) Türkiye’s trailblazing uncrewed fighter jet, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, has rewritten aviation records by becoming the first unmanned platform known to launch a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile against a jet-powered target, scoring a successful hit during a test mission near Sinop, according to reports.
Statements shared through general defense sources noted that the aircraft deployed the domestically engineered GOKDOGAN missile, which accurately intercepted the high-speed aerial target. The shot was executed after KIZILELMA detected and tracked the target using an indigenous active electronically scanned array radar.
Reports emphasized that this event represented a historic first for Türkiye: a nationally built aircraft firing a homegrown air-to-air missile guided by a national radar system against a flying adversary. The accomplishment positions KIZILELMA as the only known unmanned platform to have proven air-to-air combat capability under real test conditions.
During the demonstration, five F-16s from a local air base flew alongside the UAV in a coordinated crewed-uncrewed formation, showcasing operational concepts expected to shape future aerial combat. Another Turkish UAV, the Bayraktar AKINCI, documented the mission from above.
KIZILELMA’s design incorporates a low observable profile and advanced sensing technologies that allow it to identify potential threats from considerable distances while remaining difficult to detect. The system integrates next-generation components, including a national AESA radar and precision targeting systems, enabling it to deploy a wide selection of domestically produced weaponry.
Previous trials had already confirmed the aircraft’s proficiency in air-to-ground missions, with successful strikes using TOLUN and TEBER-82 munitions. The recent air-to-air engagement broadens its operational portfolio, strengthening its strategic importance within Türkiye’s defense planning.
Industry reports indicate that the developer of KIZILELMA has funded its UAV programs independently for over two decades and has grown into a major global exporter of unmanned systems. The company reportedly achieved $1.8 billion in export earnings in both 2023 and 2024, with exports making up the majority of its revenue. Its UAV platforms have been sold to numerous nations, and data shows the firm has ranked as Türkiye’s leading defense and aerospace exporter for the past four years.
Statements shared through general defense sources noted that the aircraft deployed the domestically engineered GOKDOGAN missile, which accurately intercepted the high-speed aerial target. The shot was executed after KIZILELMA detected and tracked the target using an indigenous active electronically scanned array radar.
Reports emphasized that this event represented a historic first for Türkiye: a nationally built aircraft firing a homegrown air-to-air missile guided by a national radar system against a flying adversary. The accomplishment positions KIZILELMA as the only known unmanned platform to have proven air-to-air combat capability under real test conditions.
During the demonstration, five F-16s from a local air base flew alongside the UAV in a coordinated crewed-uncrewed formation, showcasing operational concepts expected to shape future aerial combat. Another Turkish UAV, the Bayraktar AKINCI, documented the mission from above.
KIZILELMA’s design incorporates a low observable profile and advanced sensing technologies that allow it to identify potential threats from considerable distances while remaining difficult to detect. The system integrates next-generation components, including a national AESA radar and precision targeting systems, enabling it to deploy a wide selection of domestically produced weaponry.
Previous trials had already confirmed the aircraft’s proficiency in air-to-ground missions, with successful strikes using TOLUN and TEBER-82 munitions. The recent air-to-air engagement broadens its operational portfolio, strengthening its strategic importance within Türkiye’s defense planning.
Industry reports indicate that the developer of KIZILELMA has funded its UAV programs independently for over two decades and has grown into a major global exporter of unmanned systems. The company reportedly achieved $1.8 billion in export earnings in both 2023 and 2024, with exports making up the majority of its revenue. Its UAV platforms have been sold to numerous nations, and data shows the firm has ranked as Türkiye’s leading defense and aerospace exporter for the past four years.
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