Turkey’s unmanned military aircraft, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed by Baykar, has successfully passed a speed and direction change test in the air, reports the “Adyrna” national portal, citing Anadolu Ajansı.
According to Baykar, the testing process for Bayraktar KIZILELMA is progressing according to the planned schedule.
On March 21, the PT3 serial prototype (tail number TC-OZB3) took off from the AKINCI training and testing center in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ province, northwestern Turkey. It successfully completed system integration procedures and complex maneuvers.
Significant modifications were made to the serial prototype based on the experience gained from earlier versions. The aircraft uses an alternative afterburning engine, and its integration has been successfully completed. Thanks to this powerful new engine, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA can approach the speed of sound and has enhanced high-speed maneuverability due to improved aerodynamics.
Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with an AESA radar, allowing for high-level situational awareness and the ability to execute complex missions.
The Bayraktar KIZILELMA project has been under development since 2021. The TC-ÖZB prototype was rolled out on November 14, 2022, and made its first flight exactly one month later, setting a record for the shortest development time before first flight.
In 2023, during TEKNOFEST—one of the world’s largest aviation, space, and technology festivals held in Istanbul—the Bayraktar KIZILELMA demonstrated its exceptional flight capabilities, earning its place in global aviation history.
Currently, Baykar, the world’s leading producer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is exporting the Bayraktar TB2 SİHA to 34 countries and the Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA to 11 countries under existing agreements.
