Baykar Unveils Ambitious Project for Supersonic Unmanned Fighter Jet Kizilelma

Turkish drone industrialist Baykar intends to create a supersonic edition of its unmanned combat aircraft, the Bayraktar Kizilelma, according to the company’s chief technology officer (CTO).

Selçuk Bayraktar elaborated on the capabilities of Kizilelma, Türkiye’s inaugural domestically engineered and manufactured unmanned combat aircraft, during a recent broadcast.

Bayraktar noted that Kizilelma will have the ability to engage in aerial combat against enemy aircraft; additionally, its operational duration is significantly longer in comparison to Baykar’s latest UAV, the Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

“We are even considering the development of a supersonic edition,” Bayraktar remarked.

The National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System (MIUS), dubbed Kizilelma (Red Apple), featuring low observability and hypersonic speeds, is a highly significant strategic initiative by Baykar, whose combat-tested drones have garnered substantial global interest.

This unmanned fighter jet is anticipated to undertake various military operations, including strategic offensives, close air support (CAS), missile strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD).

It is expected to possess the capability to fly for five hours and achieve velocities up to 800 kph (500 mph or Mach 0.64).

‘The New Chapter of Baykar’
Bayraktar further disclosed that subsequent to Kizilelma, they plan to embark on a space-focused venture and have set ambitions for the next five to ten years.

“Our objective is to create a communication and global positioning system using low Earth orbit constellations, along with the development of orbital transfer vehicles,” he stated.

Bayraktar mentioned that this space initiative commenced roughly six months ago, anticipating that “a new chapter of Baykar will unfold from there.”