Tekirdag: Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Trkiye’s first unmanned combat aircraft developed by Baykar, has successfully completed a critical AB-Launched Maneuver System Identification Test, marking a significant milestone in its testing schedule. A statement from Baykar confirmed that the test program for Bayraktar KIZILELMA is progressing as planned.
According to Anadolu Agency, the test flight took place at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Trkiye’s western province of Tekirdag. The aircraft’s production prototype, designated PT3 with tail number TC-OZB3, demonstrated precise execution of complex maneuver identification activities. The company emphasized that insights from earlier prototypes have led to notable improvements in the production model, including structural enhancements and advancements in its avionics architecture.
The aircraft also successfully integrated an afterburning engine alternative, allowing it to complete the flight. With its powerful new engine, Bayraktar KIZILELMA is anticipated to approach supersonic speeds while maintaining high maneuverability. Its AESA radar will enhance situational awareness, enabling the aircraft to undertake complex missions.
Baykar launched the Bayraktar KIZILELMA project in 2021 with 100% private funding. The aircraft rolled off the production line on November 14, 2022, and was transferred to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Tekirdag’s Corlu district. After completing ground tests swiftly, it embarked on its maiden flight on December 14, 2022, achieving skies within a year of development.
Baykar has maintained its leadership in defense exports through private funding of its projects. Since initiating its UAV RandD program in 2003, 83% of its revenue has come from exports. In 2023, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in export sales, ranking among Trkiye’s top 10 exporting firms across all industries. As the world’s largest exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles, Baykar sustained its global success in 2024, securing 90% of its revenue from international sales, with export agreements for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV with 34 countries and for the Bayraktar AKINCI with 11 nations.