Türkiye’s KIZILELMA unmanned fighter makes historic air-to-air missile strike in major test

Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, made history off the coast of Sinop by successfully firing a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile at a jet-powered target.

Türkiye’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet has carried out a historic test by firing a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile at a jet-powered target.

Türkiye’s drone maker Baykar said the KIZILELMA successfully launched the locally produced GÖKDƏGAN missile with pinpoint accuracy.

The shot was carried out after the target was tracked using ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar. Five F-16s from Merzifon Air Base joined the exercise in a manned-unmanned operation, while a Bayraktar AKINCI UAV monitored the test from the air.

KIZILELMA is now the first unmanned platform in the world with verified air-to-air combat capability. The aircraft carries advanced sensors and can deploy a range of domestically made munitions.

Baykar, which has fully funded its UAV projects since 2003, has become a major drone exporter. It generated $1.8 billion in export revenue in 2023 and 2024, with the Bayraktar TB2 sold to 36 countries and the Bayraktar AKINCI to 16.

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