Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed indigenously by Baykar, has successfully completed a new Aerodynamic System Identification Test as part of its flight test program.

TEKİRDAĞ / ÇORLU – MARCH 15, 2025

Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet, developed entirely with Baykar’s own resources, continues its rigorous flight test campaign. The testing process is progressing in line with the planned schedule.

KIZILELMA DEMONSTRATES ITS POWER
On March 15, Bayraktar KIZILELMA successfully completed a new Aerodynamic System Identification Test. The production prototype, designated TC-OZB3 PT3, took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, by activating its afterburner and successfully executed all planned aerodynamic system identification activities during its test flight.

DESIGNED FOR THE TOUGHEST MISSIONS
The development process of Bayraktar KIZILELMA has seen significant refinements in its production prototype, incorporating valuable insights gained from the initial prototypes. Structural enhancements and avionics system upgrades have been implemented. The aircraft successfully completed a test flight with an integrated afterburner engine alternative. With its powerful new engine, Bayraktar KIZILELMA will approach the speed of sound and achieve greater maneuverability at high speeds, thanks to aerodynamic improvements. Equipped with an AESA radar, it will offer high situational awareness, enabling it to undertake the most demanding missions.

ACHIEVING FLIGHT IN RECORD TIME
Baykar initiated the Bayraktar KIZILELMA project with 100% private capital in 2021. The first prototype, bearing the tail number TC-ÖZB, rolled off the production line on November 14, 2022, and was transferred to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu. Following a rapid and successful ground testing phase, it conducted its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. Bayraktar KIZILELMA took to the skies in just one year.

PIONEERING NEW MILESTONES IN AVIATION HISTORY
During TEKNOFEST 2023, Bayraktar KIZILELMA made history with a series of world-first formation flights. It flew in formation with Bayraktar AKINCI, showcasing unmanned combat aviation interoperability.On May 1, 2023, it executed a formation flight with Türkiye’s elite fighter squadrons: the F-16 SOLOTÜRK demonstration team and the Turkish Stars flying F-5 jets over Istanbul. These historic formation flights represent a major milestone in global aviation history and will shape the future of air combat operations.

EXPORT CHAMPION
From its inception, Baykar has operated entirely on self-funded resources, with 83% of its total revenues coming from exports since the launch of its UAV R&D program in 2003. In 2023, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports, ranking among Türkiye’s top 10 exporting companies across all industries. As the world’s leading exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Baykar continued its global success in 2024, again generating $1.8 billion in export revenue, with 90% of its income coming from international sales.

BAYKAR: THE WORLD’S LARGEST UAV MANUFACTURER
Recognized with the Export Champions Award, Baykar has been the defense and aerospace sector’s top exporter in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). In 2023, Baykar accounted for one-third of Türkiye’s total defense and aerospace exports. In 2024, Baykar single-handedly generated one-quarter of the sector’s total exports, solidifying Türkiye’s position as a leader in the global UAV market. As the largest UAV manufacturer in the world, Baykar has signed export agreements for Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs with 34 countries and Bayraktar AKINCI UCAVs with 11 countries. A total of 36 countries now operate Baykar’s cutting-edge UAV technology.