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
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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...
 
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Very important to what Baykar Tech is doing with unmanned systems, they are also under pinning the infrastructure required for unmanned systems to thrive with data-link and global positioning constellations; They plan on launching more than 100 satellites within the next 5 years.

www.turkiyetoday.com

Fergani’s historic leap: Türkiye’s 1st hybrid-engine orbital vehicle reaches space - Türkiye Today

Türkiye’s Baykar-led Fergani launched its first hybrid-engine orbital transfer vehicle from Vandenberg on Nov. 28, marking a world first in space tech
www.turkiyetoday.com www.turkiyetoday.com


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GMJ1g_oxnk
 
Canardzz said:
From Baykar's website. Landing gear doors.

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I don't understand the issue the crews have with landing gear doors at Turkish Aerospace and Baykar....

Sure, they might be a bit of an obstacle when you're leaning in to work on the hydraulics or check the gear, and it's easier to monitor things like retraction or leaks during flight. But really, it isn't THAT much of a major hassle, why not just install the doors after the initial flight tests?
 
snne said:
I don't understand the issue the crews have with landing gear doors at Turkish Aerospace and Baykar....

Sure, they might be a bit of an obstacle when you're leaning in to work on the hydraulics or check the gear, and it's easier to monitor things like retraction or leaks during flight. But really, it isn't THAT much of a major hassle, why not just install the doors after the initial flight tests?
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It's just the different design philosophy at play I would say. Cleaner aerodynamics during early flight testing.
 
Canardzz said:
It's just the different design philosophy at play I would say. Cleaner aerodynamics during early flight testing.
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Even in the last BVR launch test, with Air Force leadership in protocol, they still flew the drone without landing gear doors this late in the testing phase. They are commencing the LRIP right now and the drone is supposed to be delivered next year. Sure, it doesn't affect the aerodynamics, but it's still quite unnecessary.

And frankly, it's not a nice visual.
 
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snne said:
Even in the last BVR launch test, with Air Force leadership in protocol, they still flew the drone without landing gear doors this late in the testing phase. They are commencing the LRIP right now and the drone is supposed to be delivered next year. Sure, it doesn't affect the aerodynamics, but it's still quite unnecessary.

And frankly, it's not a nice visual.
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This is what I was told by TAI, although I'm not sure how things are for Baykar. I do agree with it looking unusual considering Kızılelma is in production. I'd imagine they have their reasons. Who knows I guess...
 
Anil Sahin, who correctly hinted at the FCR-guided BVRAAM launch a day before the footage release, has since been persistently hinting at an IWB-payload release test planned for January.

While it could technically involve bomb-kits, SDB-class Tolun munitions or perhaps even CMs; at least as per my interpretation, his hints instead point to a repeat of the BVR test, this time conducted with the IWB.
 
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snne said:
Anil Sahin, who correctly hinted at the FCR-guided BVRAAM launch a day before the footage release, has since been persistently hinting at an IWB-payload release test planned for January.

While it could technically involve bomb-kits, SDB-class Tolun munitions or perhaps even CMs; at least as per my interpretation, his hints instead point to a repeat of the BVR test, this time conducted with the IWB.
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not Anil, who's created defence related publication off the backs of forum posts lmao; even amongst the defence publications he's got pretty low standing..

It's expected roadmap, doubt we'll see internally launched BVRAAM just yet, they'll certainly test internal launch with some sort of small diameter bomb first; like ANKA-3
 
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Combat-Master said:
not Anil, who's created defence related publication off the backs of forum posts lmao; even amongst the defence publications he's got pretty low standing..

It's expected roadmap, doubt we'll see internally launched BVRAAM just yet, they'll certainly test internal launch with some sort of small diameter bomb first; like ANKA-3
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Like him or hate him (despise him in my case!), he undeniably gets some information from the inside, as evidenced by the case I mentioned.

I also agree with you on the type of munition to be dropped, but AAM is what he keeps hinting at, so we shall wait and see…
 
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snne said:
Like him or hate him (despise him in my case!), he undeniably gets some information from the inside, as evidenced by the case I mentioned.
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Just be aware that there is a SSB web portal where selected journalists get access to information before it's released to the public.

Anyway; that said, back to the subject - I'm hoping we'll see something akin to the capabilities of KAAN in terms of the operator getting an upgrade, some VR goggles perhaps ..

This
1765986462311.png

Instead of that;
1765986529740.png

----- We got a glimpse of the type of user interface Baykar Tech are working on for Kizilelma
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I think "autonomous" is the most misused term in the world of UAS (Systems capable of operating in a real world environment without any form of external control for extended periods of time).

Executing pre programmed tasks in accordance with the mission planning conducted by a human operator isn't autonomous. Same for pre programmed loss of link procedures and the like.
An autonomous UAS would receive a task and do the mission planning all by itself, from takeoff to landing. Furthermore, it must be able to react to all kind of situations in accordance with ICAO "rules of the air", and so on...
 
Technically "first" if limited to "fighter" aircraft, but much less challenging than DARPA >10 years doing this as part of KQ-X with two Global Hawks at high altitude with much lower control power, higher inertias etc. Or the many commercially available relative navigation systems available e.g. for autoland

This shouldn't be viewed as being "difficult", but still takes a lot of engineering effort to implement.

The important bits are things like reliability, degradation from weather, GNS signals etc. but these don't get captured in PR videos
 
red admiral said:
Technically "first" if limited to "fighter" aircraft, but much less challenging than DARPA >10 years doing this as part of KQ-X with two Global Hawks at high altitude with much lower control power, higher inertias etc. Or the many commercially available relative navigation systems available e.g. for autoland

This shouldn't be viewed as being "difficult", but still takes a lot of engineering effort to implement.

The important bits are things like reliability, degradation from weather, GNS signals etc. but these don't get captured in PR videos
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It's a first, as in no 'CCA'/'unmanned fighter aircraft' has done it yet, except for the Kizilelma, whose goal, according to Baykar, is to be a true replacement for manned jets—though that will take at least two decades to truly achieve. Accomplishing this is certainly harder than doing it with HALE drones or hundreds of small drones, due to its mission profile (though controlling hundreds or thousands of small drones in aerial shows is indeed really hard!).

It has an F-16-grade GaN radar, an EOTS, and multiple MWS sensors across the airframe, which also act as a DAS, all feeding very large volumes of data to the mission computer as well as the "AI computer", which have to interpret everything and churn in information from this; and then return a compressed version of its analysis to the ground through an 80 Mbps datalink...

https://imgur.com/a/9bQSRdD
View: https://imgur.com/a/9bQSRdD


The important bits are things like reliability, degradation from weather, GNS signals etc. but these don't get captured in PR videos.
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Indeed...
 
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snne said:
all feeding very large volumes of data to the mission computer as well as the "AI computer", which have to interpret everything and churn in information from this; and then return a compressed version of its analysis to the ground through an 80 Mbps datalink...
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Any idea what type of computer it has? Usually when I see "AI computer" I think of nVidia, but I don't know if they have any stuff that works in military applications.
 
Combat-Master said:
What happened to the guys moaning about no landing gear doors :-D

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You can’t not admit how weird the entire “no landing gear door” thing was though; it has very little ease-of-maintenance benefit, if any.

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After climbing to altitude, the unmanned fighter aircraft operated in a coordinated manner, performing a formation flight with an autonomous combat pilot enabled by Baykar’s self-developed smart fleet autonomy algorithms.
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During the test flight, the aircraft also conducted a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) mission, one of the core elements of modern aerial warfare. The Bayraktar KIZILELMA prototypes carried out a patrol flight along a predefined route, supported by fleet autonomy software. The test confirmed that indigenous unmanned fighter aircraft are capable of performing air defense missions as part of an autonomous fleet.
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www.defenceturkey.com

Bayraktar KIZILELMA Performs Formation Flight Using Smart Fleet Autonomy

Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Baykar’s unmanned fighter aircraft renowned for its unprecedented achievements in global aviation history, has successfully completed a test flight focused on smart fleet autonomy. During the test conducted in Çorlu, KIZILELMA prototypes PT3 and PT5 carried out a formation...
www.defenceturkey.com www.defenceturkey.com
 
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SlothmanAllen said:
Any idea what type of computer it has? Usually when I see "AI computer" I think of nVidia, but I don't know if they have any stuff that works in military applications.
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No idea, but they keep mentioning an "AI computer" in interviews or speeches. Software and onboard computers have always been one of their core areas of operation, so it doesn’t surprise me.

This is pure theory of course, but “Combat Cloud” is still a not-so-reliable concept; so instead of having dedicated nodes control an entire fleet, giving each aircraft the same AI hardware makes sense.
 
snne said:
Anndd Kizilelma has finally flown with the MURAD-110A GaN radar and the Toygun EOTS.

The EOTS window is slightly larger than I expected.

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1980529250110439608
View: https://x.com/Selcuk/status/1980529250110439608
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wrapping up the year with the maiden flight of the Karat IRST :)

View: https://youtu.be/eHw6-h58P-I?si=5oSM4eHUYi_QWWcT


What a beast..!

Screenshot 2025-12-31 182110.png Screenshot 2025-12-31 182219.png Screenshot 2025-12-31 182241.png

Even as is, this thing now comes with the sensor payload of either:
  1. An F-16-grade GaN radar + EOTS
  2. IRST + EOTS
Wouldn't want to face these off on opposing side, that's for sure...
 
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snne said:
wrapping up the year with the maiden flight of the Karat IRST :)

View: https://youtu.be/eHw6-h58P-I?si=5oSM4eHUYi_QWWcT


What a beast..!

View attachment 796974View attachment 796975View attachment 796976

Even as is, this thing now comes with the sensor payload of either:
  1. An F-16-grade GaN radar + EOTS
  2. IRST + EOTS
Wouldn't want to face these off on opposing side, that's for sure...
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KARAT launched BVR missile will be interesting to see; still looking forward to internal weapons bay launches through
 
Combat-Master said:
KARAT launched BVR missile will be interesting to see; still looking forward to internal weapons bay launches through
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It's scary how they basically tested (sans the IRFS/BÜRFIS, and possibly the IVDL) Kaan's entire sensor and datalink suite on a fighter-form airframe with the Kizilelma this early.

The only thing that won't be achieved ahead of Kaan's Q4 2028 service entry is the IWB certification, which will still be made available to Block 10 birds through a software update.

It's crazy to think about considering how, back in 2022, we viewed the 2022-2028 timeline for the Kaan in such a doomerist way.
 
  • Serial production Kizilelma to be delivered to the TAF in 1st quarter of this year.

  • So far 5 prototypes and 2 serial production Kizilelma produced.

  • Kizilelma has 6 underwing and 2 internal hardpoints.

  • Operational altitude is 25.000ft for now and to be increased with further developments.
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video.haber7.com

KIZILELMA ve AKINCI TÄ°HA’nın testlerinin yapıldıÄı merkez görüntülendi

Baykar UçuÅ EÄitim ve Test Merkezi kapılarını açtı. 110 AKINCI teslim edilirken, F-16 boyutundaki KIZILELMA'nın TSK envanterine giriÅ tarihi 2026
video.haber7.com video.haber7.com
 
snne said:
video.haber7.com

KIZILELMA ve AKINCI TÄ°HA’nın testlerinin yapıldıÄı merkez görüntülendi

Baykar UçuÅ EÄitim ve Test Merkezi kapılarını açtı. 110 AKINCI teslim edilirken, F-16 boyutundaki KIZILELMA'nın TSK envanterine giriÅ tarihi 2026
video.haber7.com video.haber7.com
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The pilot and technician training programs for KIZILELMA will begin in 2026. Pilot candidates are first subjected to a theoretical examination in which the systems on the aircraft are explained, and then they move on to hands-on training in a simulator. Trainees who are successful in the simulation become eligible to participate in flight training. Those who successfully complete 30 sorties in the flight test are awarded a pilot certificate. Pilot training lasts 5 months, while technician training lasts 4 months.
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www.trthaber.com

İşte KIZILELMA ve AKINCI TİHA'nın testlerinin yapıldığı merkez

Türkiye'nin ilk insansız savaş uçağı KIZILELMA ve AKINCI TİHA'nın uçuş testleri Baykar Uçuş Eğitim ve Test Merkezi'nde yapılıyor.
www.trthaber.com www.trthaber.com
 
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KIZILELMA LRIP batch to enter service this year equipped with MURAD-100A GaN FCRs:

ASELSAN GM @AhmetAkyol : When KIZILELMA enters the inventory this year, the MURAD AESA radar will also have been added to the inventory.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/2023096817794322782
View: https://twitter.com/ssysfakb/status/2023096817794322782?s=20


Notably, TurAF’s long-awaited first fighter-grade AESA radar to enter operational service will be an indigenous system (if we exclude the Qatari Typhoons scheduled to join TurAF service this month).

screenshot-2025-11-30-092921-png.793616
 
Ainen said:
Not akinci?
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Guess so, probably a matter of higher priorities. Akıncı isn’t exactly a survivable platform after all, and even a dressed-down Kızılelma is still expensive, so you might as well get the most out of it.

I also get the feeling that, until sufficient numbers of MURAD-100As enter service, the focus will be on equipping ~200 F-16B30/40M/50Ms and however many high-profile Kızılelmas get produced, with the MURAD-equipped Akıncı staying more of a test platform for now. They desperately need AESA-equipped, higher-performance fighter/fighter-adjacent aircraft after all.
siegecrossbow said:
Cool so it’s luneburg lens.
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Yep, that’s why I responded with the F-35 photo, since the lens placements and (ironically) their shapes are quite similar. That, along with a couple of minor details tells us this thing, even in its current non-optimized form, is pretty LO and a solid addition to the current state of Turkish air power, even if speed could prove to be an issue in a high-stakes BVR engagement scenario.
 
snne said:
Guess so, probably a matter of higher priorities. Akıncı isn’t exactly a survivable platform after all, and even a dressed-down Kızılelma is still expensive, so you might as well get the most out of it.

I also get the feeling that, until sufficient numbers of MURAD-100As enter service, the focus will be on equipping ~200 F-16B30/40M/50Ms and however many high-profile Kızılelmas get produced, with the MURAD-equipped Akıncı staying more of a test platform for now. They desperately need AESA-equipped, higher-performance fighter/fighter-adjacent aircraft after all.

Yep, that’s why I responded with the F-35 photo, since the lens placements and (ironically) their shapes are quite similar. That, along with a couple of minor details tells us this thing, even in its current non-optimized form, is pretty LO and a solid addition to the current state of Turkish air power, even if speed could prove to be an issue in a high-stakes BVR engagement scenario.
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Yup. Installation of luneburg lens is primarily for the benefit of air traffic control radars so that they can properly coordinate stealth and conventional aircraft to prevent possible collisions. It has the added benefit of disguising true radar signature if you deploy it somewhere where enemy reconnaissance assets are present.
 
Bayraktar KIZILELMA | Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System Functional Flight Test

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



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

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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

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Kizilelma now features Aesa Radar, IRST, EOTS and now ESM+EW system..
 
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