Developed indigenously and uniquely by Baykar, Turkey’s first unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, has successfully passed another critical stage in its testing process. The production prototype, designated PT3 with tail number TC-OZB3, successfully completed the EU Take-off Manoeuvre System Identification Test, which was included in the test schedule. During the flight, both system identification activities and sharp manoeuvres were executed flawlessly.

Bayraktar KIZILELMA’s Tests Progressing as Planned

According to a statement from Baykar, the test process of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed entirely with the company’s own resources, is proceeding as scheduled. Yesterday, the aircraft took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Centre in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, using its afterburner engine and successfully completed the rigorous test.

During the development process of Bayraktar KIZILELMA, significant structural and avionics improvements were made to the production prototype based on experiences gained from the initial prototypes. Additionally, the afterburner engine alternative was successfully integrated and actively used in test flights.

Approaching Supersonic Speeds, Delivering Superior Performance in Challenging Missions

With its new engine power, Bayraktar KIZILELMA will approach supersonic speeds, offering exceptional manoeuvrability at high speeds thanks to aerodynamic enhancements. Equipped with an AESA radar, it will be capable of carrying out the most challenging missions with high situational awareness.

Bayraktar #KIZILELMA PT-3 ✈️🚀🍎

🛫 Test | AB Kalkışlı – Manevra Sistem Tanımlama
🛫 Test | AB-Assisted Takeoff – Maneuvering System Id. #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi 🌍🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/oCdqlkXKJU

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) March 21, 2025

Flights that Left a Mark on Aviation History

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA project, carried out with 100% Baykar equity, began in 2021. The first prototype rolled off the production line on 14 November 2022 and swiftly completed ground tests at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Centre in Çorlu before conducting its maiden flight on 14 December 2022. Taking to the skies in just a year, Bayraktar KIZILELMA made aviation history at TEKNOFEST 2023 by performing a formation flight with the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV, a world first.

Additionally, on 1 May 2023, it flew in formation over Istanbul with an F-16 fighter jet from SOLOTÜRK and F-5 jets from the Turkish Stars. This flight concept is considered a significant step towards shaping the future of air combat.

Baykar Leads in UAV Exports

Since 2003, Baykar has conducted all its projects entirely with its own resources, generating the majority of its revenue from exports. In 2023, the company achieved $1.8 billion in exports, ranking among Turkey’s top 10 exporting firms across all sectors.

Baykar has signed export agreements for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV with 34 countries and for the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV with 11 countries, maintaining its leadership in defence and aerospace exports in 2024. Additionally, it has become the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle exporter.

According to data from the Defence Industry Agency and the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, Baykar was awarded the “Champion of Exports Award” in 2021, 2022, and 2023 as the leading exporter in the defence and aerospace sector.

© AeroHaber.com / Mevlüt Zor / mevlutzorr@gmail.com

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