Türkiye's unmanned combat aircraft proves air-to-air capability

Türkiye's first unmanned combat aircraft, Bayraktar Kızılelma, achieved a new milestone as it struck a jet-powered target aircraft with a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, marking a first in the world, its developer Baykar said.

Kızılelma launched the locally developed Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, striking the high-speed jet target with pinpoint accuracy.

The missile was fired from under the wing of the uncrewed fighter jet after the target was detected and tracked using Aselsan's Murad AESA radar, also domestically made.

This marked the first time in Turkish aviation history that a national aircraft fired a domestically produced air-to-air missile, guided by a national radar, at an aerial target.

The successful engagement established Kızılelma as the first and only uncrewed platform worldwide with verified air-to-air combat capability.

It was also the latest in a series of tests conducted by Kızılelma this month, including the one in which it locked onto a target F-16 aircraft.

The new test, conducted over the Black Sea near the Sinop province, was described as "another first" and one that reflected "Türkiye's long-term aerospace vision."

The test also featured five F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base conducting formation flights with Kızılelma in a joint crewed-uncrewed operation, demonstrating future air combat concepts.

A Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle accompanied the mission, recording the event from the air, Anadolu reported.

Kızılelma's low radar cross-section and advanced sensors enable it to detect enemy aircraft from long distances without being seen.The platform integrates cutting-edge technologies and can deploy a wide range of domestically produced munitions.