Baykar Tech Kızılelma News and Developments

@Combat-Master and I have agreed that this bad boi deserves a separate thread of its own.

Here's a starter:
Combat-Master said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1836437832048513366
View: https://x.com/Selcuk/status/1836437832048513366
Click to expand...

From now on, please use only this thread for Kizilelma news; we're reserving the "Turkish UAV Developments & Fielding" thread for TB-2/3, Anka, Aksungur and Akinci since these drones are not analogous to turbofan powered Kizilelma or Anka-3 at all...
 
Click to expand...
Combat-Master said:
Bayraktar KIZILELMA | Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System Functional Flight Test

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HXvLH6PKrA



Radar warning receiverMissile warning system

Pretty certain the MWS is Aselsans IRIS 200
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbkGK5Sn7rw

---
Aselsan's X post on it;

"As a significant force multiplier, FEWS-U Electronic Warfare Suite integrated into Bayraktar KIZILELMA, and successfully completed its first flight test.
✅ 360° Coverage
✅ High Accuracy of Direction of Arrival
✅ Fast Threat Detection and Identification"

https://twitter.com/x/status/2024788783741194403
View: https://x.com/aselsan/status/2024788783741194403?s=20

---

Kizilelma now features Aesa Radar, IRST, EOTS and now ESM+EW system..
Click to expand...
Aselsan has revealed the architecture of the FEWS-U EW-system on the Kızılelma:

  • ARIA-U-210 RWR
  • ARK-U-210 RF Jammer
  • SUMER-A-200 Management Unit
  • KARTACA-A-200 Countermeasure System
  • GizEM Conformal Communication Antennas
They also say the system has the capability to share threat data with other ground and air assets.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2028424516976754750
View: https://x.com/Catfishtheblues/status/2028424516976754750?s=20
 
Last edited:
Turns out a contract with the Turkish MoD was signed in November 2025...

HE_A-58WQAAfMTc
 
Combat-Master said:
How does it compare with modern IRST systems?
Click to expand...
Roughly comparable range, but on a slightly lower performance spectrum if this is its maximum range for a passenger aircraft type target. Regardless, it has only flown 4–5 times so far, and it is almost certain they have not tested its maximum performance yet. Keep in mind this is a downrated product and Aselsan’s first airborne IRST also.

(Baykar shares a lot of flight test footage and rarely censors displayed info but keeps some tests secret)
 
Last edited:
snne said:
Roughly comparable range, but on a slightly lower performance spectrum if this is its maximum range for a passenger aircraft type target. Regardless, it has only flown 4–5 times so far, and it is almost certain they have not tested its maximum performance yet. Keep in mind this is a downrated product and Aselsan’s first airborne IRST also.

(Baykar shares a lot of flight test footage and rarely censors displayed info but keeps some tests secret)
Click to expand...
well, the scale on IRST extends to 70nm
 
snne said:
"The KARAT Infrared Search and Tracking System conducted a performance definition test on the KIZILELMA platform. The system was able to detect a passenger aircraft, a target of opportunity, from a distance of 110km."

https://wwwcdn.aselsan.com/api/file/ASELSAN_a-bulten_94_web.pdf
Click to expand...


https://www.aselsan.com/en/newsletter/newsletter-no-20#karat-proves-irst-capability
ASELSAN’s KARAT Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system successfully completed performance flights on the KIZILELMA platform, demonstrating autonomous target detection and tracking capabilities. During the tests, KARAT identified and tracked targets without operator input, confirming its ability to operate effectively in complex air combat environments.

In subsequent flight scenarios, KARAT executed detection and tracking functions against multiple aerial platforms, including AKINCI and KIZILELMA, while also operating against a jet platform to support the training of its AI-based algorithms. The system consistently delivered reliable tracking performance across different target types, highlighting its advanced sensor fusion and algorithm-driven functionality.
Click to expand...
 
snne said:
Turns out a contract with the Turkish MoD was signed in November 2025...
Click to expand...
On May 6, there will be two contract signings related to Kızılelma: one between the D.I.A. and Aselsan for the procurement of subsystems (avionics, sensors, etc.), and another between Baykar and the D.I.A. focused on integration.

It seems like the Kızılelma contracts are structured to cover both testing and serial production phases. Also, an interesting detail is that Baykar isn’t directly procuring certain systems from Aselsan; instead, those acquisitions are being handled by the D.I.A.
 

Attachments

  • 1000091829.jpg
    1000091829.jpg
    167 KB · Views: 12
  • 1000091830.jpg
    1000091830.jpg
    177.6 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
Last edited:
snne said:
However, for anything beyond that, they'll have to wait for TEI's TF10000 to mature, with the earliest availability for testing in Q42026(?)/2027 for testing and production in Q4(?)2028
Click to expand...

I’ve got fantastic news, y’all :) (they’re on schedule :D)

View: https://youtu.be/zMW4B0nBA4o?si=lxSsr_E0oc1-3bnI


Prof. Dr. Mahmut Akşit at 08.44: We have reached 5910 lb at test with TF6000, more than currently used imported ones. That is not even our final configuration engine, we will reach higher than 5910. End of this year or beginning of the next year, engines will be send to the manufacturers for flying tests.
Click to expand...

(There’s definitely a delay with the afterburning TF6000, aka TF10000, though!) Still, at least the aircraft can keep rolling out of production lines in 2028/29!
 
Last edited:
LEONARDO AND BAYKAR SET MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ADVANCED CREWED/UNCREWED CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST K-SWARM LIVE TRIALS

"...

During the flight campaign, following an autonomous taxi and take-off, the KIZILELMA autonomously rejoined the M346 Fighter Attack using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms developed by the Baykar’s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Laboratory, enabling the M346 to subsequently assume full control of the unmanned aircraft. Using a newly developed fully integrated onboard avionic suite, the M-346 pilots commanded different formations which were autonomously executed by KIZILELMA through a dedicated crewed/uncrewed computing system. Different maneuvers and formations, including position changes, separations and rejoins were successfully tested with the KIZILELMA accurately responding to the M-346 commands.

..."

https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-r...ent-with-successful-first-k-swarm-live-trials
 

Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials​

https://www.twz.com/air/turkeys-fighter-drone-teamed-with-m-346-fighter-trainer-in-autonomy-trials
Turkey’s Baykar and Leonardo of Italy say they have successfully completed the first live trials of their K-SWARM concept, demonstrating collaborative operations between crewed and uncrewed aircraft as part of an effort to develop next-generation autonomous air combat capabilities. The trials, involving Baykar’s Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and Leonardo’s M-346 light fighter-trainer aircraft, are the latest to explore what is fast becoming a key element in the evolution of air combat.
Click to expand...

Leonardo and Baykar complete test flights for manned-unmanned teaming​

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06...ete-test-flights-for-manned-unmanned-teaming/
BEIRUT — Italian defense firm Leonardo and Turkish Baykar have completed the first test flights for swarming capabilities of two M346 light attack manned aircraft with one Kizilema unmanned combat aircraft.

“Leonardo M-346 airplanes and Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft have successfully performed a series of joint autonomous formation flights as part of the K-SWARM programme,” the two firms announced in a statement on Monday.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Forest Green said:

Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials​

https://www.twz.com/air/turkeys-fighter-drone-teamed-with-m-346-fighter-trainer-in-autonomy-trials
Click to expand...
TWZ as a whole are remarkably incompetent and routinely act in bad faith when it comes to Turkey-(and China-)watching. The same activity was first carried out with the Hürjet over a year ago, yet these people only seem interested in covering it when the tests are repeated with a European platform. They did not cover the autonomous formation flight tests either...

They also repeatedly and deliberately omit the "autonomous BVR engagement test" part, reducing it to nothing more than a missile-launch platform in the same vein as the MQ-28, when in reality the Kizilelma executed the entire kill chain on its own, exactly like a manned stealth fighter.
 
Last edited:
snne said:
S5 (5th serial/LRIP aircraft) HAS BEEN SPOTTED


Between six and eight aircraft were planned for delivery this year...
Click to expand...
As part of preparations ahead of Kızılelma's entry into service later this year, the Çardak Airfield Command in Denizli has been reorganized as the "19th Unmanned Combat Aircraft Systems Base and Flight Training School Command"...
 
Last edited:
Combat-Master said:
Kizilelma tail number S2 conducts test firing of JET-230 Aero-Ballistic Missile - derivative of the IHA-230 for jet powered aircraft
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQqi8XMhDng
Click to expand...
This means that, much like the MURAD-100A GaN FCR, the Toygun-100 EOTS will probably also enter service with the Kızılelma later this year...

Which also means operational experience will already have been gained before its more advanced variant even begins trials with the Kaan :)
 
Combat-Master said:
LEONARDO AND BAYKAR SET MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ADVANCED CREWED/UNCREWED CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST K-SWARM LIVE TRIALS

"...

During the flight campaign, following an autonomous taxi and take-off, the KIZILELMA autonomously rejoined the M346 Fighter Attack using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms developed by the Baykar’s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Laboratory, enabling the M346 to subsequently assume full control of the unmanned aircraft. Using a newly developed fully integrated onboard avionic suite, the M-346 pilots commanded different formations which were autonomously executed by KIZILELMA through a dedicated crewed/uncrewed computing system. Different maneuvers and formations, including position changes, separations and rejoins were successfully tested with the KIZILELMA accurately responding to the M-346 commands.

..."

https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-r...ent-with-successful-first-k-swarm-live-trials
Click to expand...

Some slides from the Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming tests recently carried out in Turkey,
https://twitter.com/x/status/2079241943788188071
View: https://x.com/Leonardo_live/status/2079241943788188071?s=20

--
https://twitter.com/x/status/2079205853358411961
View: https://x.com/elisabethmalom1/status/2079205853358411961?s=20
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Nart said:
I think this is the first publicly disclosed IWB test of Kızılelma. I do hope we also see air-to-air tests before the end of this year.

Note: Serial production KE looks really slick with conformal antennas. I think the only non-conformal is the data-link antenna under the fuselage.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2082755880169226354
View: https://x.com/Selcuk/status/2082755880169226354?s=20
Click to expand...
Screenshot 2026-07-30 115212.png Screenshot 2026-07-30 115246.png

5aiyazr1lk281-gif.791958



This makes Kizilelma the 2nd Turkish LO jet to have launched a payload from its IWBs so far...

HOd4SJVWAAA_1Np
 
Last edited:
Nart said:
I think this is the first publicly disclosed IWB test of Kızılelma. I do hope we also see air-to-air tests before the end of this year.

Note: Serial production KE looks really slick with conformal antennas. I think the only non-conformal is the data-link antenna under the fuselage.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2082755880169226354
View: https://x.com/Selcuk/status/2082755880169226354?s=20
Click to expand...

believe that blade antenna is VHF/UHF for communication with air traffic control, likely they are using a COTS product like they do for TB2 and AKINCI. Otherwise BLOS/LOS data-links are conformal

---------------
Aselsan has posted this; Kizilelma was using their SADAK-4T multiple carriage rack with enough space to carry two for total of 8 TOLUN-P (SDB) munitions internally
View attachment 819300
https://twitter.com/x/status/2082769121410687404
View: https://x.com/aselsan/status/2082769121410687404?s=20
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom