Turkey’s Unmanned Jet, Akinci Drone Conduct Formation Flight

Turkey’s homegrown unmanned fighter jet Bayraktar Kizilelma conducted a formation flight with Baykar's Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

This flight took place at the Akıncı Flight Training and Test Center in the Çorlu district of northwestern Tekirdağ province on April 25.

This marks the first time that these two unmanned aerial vehicles have flown together in formation.

The Bayraktar Kızılelma project, which has produced two prototypes, is currently in the development and production phase. As part of the TEKNOFEST 2023 event, the public will have the opportunity to see the aircraft at Atatürk Airport from April 27 to May 1.

Following successful ground testing, the aircraft made its maiden flight on Dec. 14, 2022.

Baykar plans to begin mass production of the national unmanned warplane by 2024.

Recently, the aircraft conducted eight flights, including four flights between April 18-20. During these flights, the plane underwent system identification and maneuvering tests at high speeds with its landing gear retracted. The unmanned jet reached a speed of 630 kph (390 mph) in these tests.

Bayraktar Kızılelma is designed to conduct air-to-air combat missions with the assistance of artificial intelligence and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft features low radar cross-section. Additionally, it has the ability to take off and land on ships with short runways.

Bayraktar Kızılelma, which has a take-off weight of 8.5 tons and a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds), will also have high situational awareness with the national AESA radar. As a result, unmanned aircraft, which will use all nationally developed ammunition, can operate with intelligent fleet autonomy.

Kizilelma’s flight test from world’s first UCAV ship in 2025

On April 10, the inventory acceptance ceremony of the Turkish Navy's flagship, the TCG Anadolu, the world's first UCAV ship, was held, where Bayraktar Kızılelma and Bayraktar TB3 UCAV were presented on the flight deck.

The second prototype of Bayraktar Kızılelma was showcased at the event, with flight tests planned to commence from the TCG Anadolu in 2025.