The next generation of Turkey’s unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has reached a crucial milestone, completing a first-ever armed flight trial to prove compatibility with precision munitions.
The trial featured a prototype of Baykar’s Bayraktar Kizilelma UCAV, a jet-powered stealth platform that pairs autonomous flight capabilities with fighter-like controls.
During the test, the UCAV lifted off carrying a pair of Aselsan’s small-diameter TOLUN precision munitions mounted on a smart rack system. This setup is designed to enable accurate strikes in disputed airspace while keeping human crews out of harm’s way.
“This important test is not just about munition integration, but a strategic indicator of the stage our air-ground integration capability has reached,” said Haluk Gorgun, President of the Defence Industry Agency of Turkey, as quoted by Defense Industry Europe.
He added that combining Aselsan’s munitions with Baykar’s aerial platforms could “shape future combat doctrines” in the country.
Beyond the armed flight, Kizilelma fired up its afterburners and retracted its landing gear mid-air for the first time, edging closer to true fighter-jet agility.
A Lethal Combo
Bayraktar Kizilelma can reach speeds of Mach 0.9 (1,112 kilometers/690 miles per hour) while carrying payloads of up to 1,500 kilograms (3,307 pounds).
It is designed for short-runway takeoffs and landings, and can remain airborne for up to three hours.
Its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar boosts situational awareness, while its improved agility enables high maneuverability against modern aerial threats.
Aselsan’s TOLUN precision munition, meanwhile, combines GPS with inertial navigation to remain functional even in jammed environments.
The munition is capable of penetrating reinforced concrete targets up to 56 kilometers (36 miles) away.
