Italy’s Leonardo to Manufacture Supersonic Kızılelma Drone Fighter

The skies of Europe may soon witness a new era in unmanned combat aviation. Leonardo, Italy’s aerospace giant, is set to produce the Baykar Kızılelma — a jet-powered, supersonic uncrewed fighter — at its Grottaglie factory in southern Italy.

This ambitious project, part of the LBA Systems joint venture with Turkey’s Baykar Technologies, marks a major step in integrating cutting-edge drone technology with European aerospace expertise.

LBA Systems, a 50:50 joint venture officially launched at the Paris Air Show 2025, combines Baykar’s innovative unmanned platforms (TB2, TB3, Akıncı, and Kızılelma) with Leonardo’s advanced sensors, electronics, payloads, and certification know-how.

The partnership aims to design, develop, manufacture, and support a wide range of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for European and global markets, projected to reach $100 billion over the next decade.

The Kızılelma, often called “Red Apple,” stands out for its fighter-jet-like performance in an autonomous, cost-effective drone platform. Unlike most subsonic, propeller-driven UCAVs, Kızılelma is turbojet/turbofan-powered, reaching near-supersonic speeds (Mach 0.9) in current variants, with future B and C models capable of full supersonic flight (Mach 1.2+) using afterburning engines like the AI-322F. This gives it exceptional speed, agility, and combat potential beyond traditional drones.

Designed for carrier-based operations, Kızılelma can take off and land from short runways aboard ships like Turkey’s TCG Anadolu using modular ramps, supporting autonomous missions even in high-sea conditions.

Its low-observable design includes stealth shaping, low radar cross-section, and an internal weapons bay, allowing it to penetrate contested airspace effectively while carrying a payload of 1.5–1.8 tons for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including precision strikes and SEAD operations.

Further enhancing its capabilities, Kızılelma features advanced AI autonomy for decision-making, swarm coordination, and “loyal wingman” operations alongside manned fighters — a concept central to programs like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) under Leonardo’s guidance. It offers both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight control, capable of aggressive maneuvers without human pilots.

High indigenous content — over 90% Turkish-made — allows rapid development and production scalability. After its maiden flight in 2022, mass production commenced in 2024–2025, positioning Kızılelma as one of the first UCAVs of its class to reach serial production ahead of many U.S. and Israeli counterparts. Future upgrades may include missile warning systems and potential aerial refueling capability, further boosting its operational flexibility.

With first deliveries targeted by 2026, Leonardo and Baykar’s LBA Systems venture is set to redefine unmanned fighter operations in Europe, combining Turkish innovation with Italian aerospace expertise to create a new generation of high-speed, multi-role, autonomous combat jets.

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