Turkish Baykar's Kızılelma passes major test, pushing boundaries of combat aviation VIDEO

Turkish aerospace company Baykar has successfully advanced the development of its unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar Kızılelma, with the completion of critical flight tests for its third prototype.

The company announced the achievement on its official X account, underscoring the significant progress of this cutting-edge defence technology, Caliber.Az reports.

Bayraktar #KIZILELMA PT-3 ✈️🚀🍎

✅ Test Uçuşu | Aerodinamik Sistem Tanımlama Testi
✅ Test Flight | Aerodynamics System Identification Test#MilliTeknolojiHamlesi 🌍🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/xcAadmSESN

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) March 7, 2025

The Bayraktar Kızılelma PT-3 successfully completed the aerodynamic system identification test, a key phase in evaluating the aircraft’s flight dynamics. The test was carried out at the AKINCI Flight Training and Testing Center, located in the Chorlu district of Tekirdag province, Türkiye.

This test marks another step forward in Baykar’s ambitious goal of developing a fully operational unmanned fighter capable of performing a variety of combat missions. The Bayraktar Kızılelma is designed to operate autonomously or under human control, providing Türkiye with enhanced aerial capabilities while reducing human risk in complex combat environments.

Baykar continues to make rapid progress in developing the Bayraktar Kızılelma, Türkiye's first unmanned fighter jet. Building on the lessons learned from earlier prototypes, the company has implemented significant upgrades to the production model, including structural enhancements and improvements to the aircraft's avionics systems.

Notably, the Bayraktar Kızılelma is now equipped with a newly integrated afterburner engine, which provides more power and allows the jet to approach the speed of sound. This upgrade, combined with aerodynamic improvements, enhances the aircraft's maneuverability at higher speeds. Additionally, the Kızılelma features an AESA radar system, offering superior situational awareness and enabling it to carry out even the most demanding missions.

Baykar launched the fully self-financed Bayraktar Kızılelma project in 2021. The first production unit, tail number TC-ÖZB, rolled off the assembly line on November 14, 2022, and was immediately deployed to the AKINCI Flight Training and Testing Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ. After completing and passing all ground tests with remarkable speed, the aircraft made its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. In just one year, the Bayraktar Kızılelma took to the skies, setting an impressive record for rapid development.

With a proven track record in producing advanced UAVs, such as the Bayraktar TB2, Baykar’s Kızılelma program aims to further solidify Türkiye’s position in the rapidly evolving global defence industry. 

By Vafa Guliyeva