Turkish defense giant Baykar has taken unmanned aviation to a new level, with Kizilelma drones flying in tight formation completely autonomously, marking a global first.
Two prototypes of the jet-powered platform took to the skies from a test center in Turkey, executing synchronized maneuvers and maintaining close formation without human control.
The drones completed patrol flights along a designated route, offering a sneak peek into a future where fleets of unmanned aircraft could support air defense missions.
The close formation was made possible by the company’s in-house smart fleet autonomy algorithms, which allow multiple drones to adjust their positions dynamically during joint operations.
Although the drones operated independently, all operational procedures were closely monitored by Baykar’s team.
Notching Records
Developed entirely in Turkey, the Kizilelma drone is expected to play a vital role in the country’s expanding fleet of unmanned systems, providing next-gen strike capabilities.
It is built for coordinated operations across multiple platforms as part of a “smart fleet” autonomy structure, enabling drones to operate together seamlessly.
In a previous test, Kizilelma successfully detected a threat using Aselsan radar and neutralized it with a BVRAAM (beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile), becoming the first unmanned combat aircraft to take down an aerial target with that munition.
Baykar plans to export the unmanned jet and its other unmanned aerial platforms to 37 countries, reinforcing its position in the global drone market.
