Ankara, December 1 - Turkey's Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet has etched a bold new chapter in unmanned combat aviation, achieving a stunning virtual strike on a Turkish Air Force F-16 during a groundbreaking test that showcases its lethal precision and integration prowess. Developed by Baykar Technologies, the stealthy KIZILELMA, meaning "Red Apple" in Turkish, symbolizing ambition and triumph, lifted off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, for a rigorous 1-hour-45-minute mission at an average altitude of 15,000 feet. This latest trial, conducted in late November 2025, not only validated the platform's beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement capabilities but also propelled Turkey deeper into the elite ranks of global drone innovators, blending cutting-edge radar and missile tech into a seamless kill chain. With over 55 hours of cumulative test flights under its belt, KIZILELMA's performance signals a paradigm shift toward autonomous air superiority, where unmanned fighters like this jet-powered marvel outmaneuver and outstrike traditional manned assets.
The test unfolded with surgical efficiency, involving two F-16s from the Turkish Air Force: one for close-formation flying to demonstrate interoperability, and the other as a dynamic target simulating real-world threats. At a staggering 30 miles out, KIZILELMA's indigenous MURAD Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, crafted by ASELSAN, locked onto the evasive F-16 with unerring accuracy, capturing real-time data on position, velocity, and trajectory. This intelligence was instantaneously relayed to the underwing GÖKDOĞAN air-to-air missile, produced by TÜBİTAK SAGE, enabling a simulated electronic launch that culminated in a virtual direct hit. The flawless data link between the unmanned fighter, radar, and munition underscores KIZILELMA's readiness for high-stakes aerial duels, where split-second decisions can tip the scales of battle. By executing three complex scenarios, formation tactics, aerodynamic compatibility, and avionic synchronization in one flight, the test affirmed the platform's versatility as a force multiplier in contested skies.
Baykar's ingenuity shines through in KIZILELMA's fully indigenous design, funded entirely by the company's resources and free from foreign dependencies that have long plagued global defense programs. This self-reliant approach has transformed Turkey from a drone exporter into a unmanned fighter pioneer, with Baykar leading the charge as the world's largest UAV manufacturer. Export deals spanning 37 countries for platforms like the TB2 and AKINCI already account for a quarter of Turkey's defense aerospace outflows, and KIZILELMA's success is poised to amplify this dominance. Collaborations with ASELSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE exemplify a national ecosystem fueling rapid innovation, turning sanctions into strategic advantages, and positioning Turkish unmanned combat aircraft at the forefront of next-generation warfare.
As militaries worldwide grapple with the rise of AI-driven swarms and stealth incursions, KIZILELMA's virtual F-16 takedown heralds an era where unmanned fighters redefine air dominance. Capable of supersonic dashes, internal weapons bays for reduced radar signature, and seamless manned-unmanned teaming, this Turkish unmanned fighter promises to reshape doctrines from the Aegean to the Indo-Pacific. Baykar's milestone not only bolsters Turkey's deterrence but invites allies to harness its scalable lethality, ensuring that the skies of tomorrow belong to those who dare to fly without pilots.