Türkiye’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA enter aviation history

(MENAFN) Türkiye’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA, the nation’s first uncrewed fighter aircraft, has entered aviation history after becoming the world’s first UAV to fire a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile at a jet-powered target aircraft. The landmark test was conducted over the coastal region near Sinop.

A statement released on Sunday by defense technology firm Baykar confirmed that the UAV launched the indigenous GOKDOGAN air-to-air missile, successfully hitting the fast-moving jet target with exceptional precision.

The missile was deployed from beneath KIZILELMA’s wing after the aircraft detected and tracked the target using ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar. The event marked a series of firsts for Türkiye: a national aircraft firing a domestically designed air-to-air missile, guided by a locally produced radar, at an airborne target.

This achievement also positioned KIZILELMA as the world’s only uncrewed system with verified air-to-air combat capability.

The test involved coordinated operations with five F-16 jets from Merzifon Air Base, which flew in formation with the UAV as part of a combined crewed–uncrewed mission demonstrating new-generation air combat strategies. A Bayraktar AKINCI drone also joined the operation, capturing aerial footage of the test.

KIZILELMA features a low radar cross-section and an advanced suite of sensors that allow it to identify adversary aircraft at long distances while remaining difficult to detect. The platform includes cutting-edge systems such as the MURAD AESA radar and TOYGUN targeting system and is capable of deploying multiple domestically manufactured munitions.

Prior evaluations saw KIZILELMA carry out successful strikes using TOLUN and TEBER-82 precision-guided munitions. The latest air-to-air hit confirms that the aircraft is operationally capable across both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, reinforcing its strategic value within Türkiye’s defense framework.

MENAFN30112025000045017281ID1110415474