Turkey’s first indigenously designed and produced drone fighter jet successfully completed the system identification test during its second flight, the developing company Baykar Technology said in a statement on Monday.
Baykar Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar operated the National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System (MIUS), named ‘Bayraktar Kizilelma’ (“Red Apple”) during the successful flight, which was carried out in Çorlu district of the northwestern Tekirdağ province.
Kizilelma was tested for the identification of unmanned combat aircraft systems during the second flight, according to the company.
Bayraktar, also shared a statement on his social media account that read, “Bayraktar #KIZILELMA successfully completed its second flight test. Godspeed.”
Kızılelma carried out its successful maiden flight in December 2022 to become Turkey’s first indigenous fast drone fighter jet. The unmanned jet represents a significant expansion of capabilities for slow-moving patrolling and missile-carrying UAVs.
The UAV is capable of taking off from and landing on short-runway aircraft carriers, including Turkey’s flagship-to-be Anadolu amphibious assault ship, claims the company. The uncrewed fighter jet can fly along with piloted aircraft and may carry air-to-air missiles.
Kızılelma is expected to carry out a number of military actions, including strategic offensives, close air support (CAS), missile offensives, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD).
The unmanned jet is projected to be capable of flying for five hours and attain a maximum speed of up to 800 km per hour (500 mph).
“The Bayraktar KIZILELMA Fighter UAV will be a force to be reckoned with, specifically given its aggressive maneuvering capability and stealthiness against radar,” wrote Bayraktar on its official website. “What’s more, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Fighter UAV will be able to take off and land on short-runway aircraft carriers, and carry out missions with internally-carried munitions,” it added.
