Turkish Baykar's Kızılelma PT-3 soars to new heights with successful test flight

Turkish defence company Baykar has achieved another milestone in the development of its unmanned fighter jet, the Bayraktar Kızılelma PT-3, with a successful test flight.

The company announced the achievement on its official social media page, X, and confirmed that the flight was a significant step forward in the aircraft's development, Caliber.Az reports.

Bayraktar #KIZILELMA PT-3 ✈️🚀🍎

✅ Test Uçuşu | Aerodinamik Sistem Tanımlama Testi
✅ Test Flight | Aerodynamic System Identification Test#MilliTeknolojiHamlesi 🌍🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/gvYgD5kD32

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech)

February 28, 2025

The Bayraktar Kızılelma, an advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), is being developed entirely using Baykar’s own resources. The PT-3 series prototype, which was the focus of the recent test, successfully completed an aerodynamic system identification test. This test is critical for evaluating the aircraft’s flight characteristics and overall aerodynamic performance.

The PT-3 prototype took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Testing Centre, located in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ. During the flight, the unmanned fighter jet flew at a medium altitude for a duration of 53 minutes, further demonstrating the capabilities and progress of the Kızılelma program.

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.

By Vafa Guliyeva