Turkey’s Kızılelma Jet Achieves First Radar-Guided Air-to-Air Missile Test

In a historic first, Turkey’s unmanned fighter jet, the Baykar Kızılelma, successfully engaged and destroyed an aerial target using a radar-guided air-to-air missile.

This test marks a significant milestone in autonomous combat aviation and showcases Turkey’s growing expertise in advanced unmanned systems.

Historic Missile Test

The test was conducted off the coast of Sinop at a Turkish firing range. Kızılelma targeted a jet-powered aerial drone, identified by Aselsan’s Murad AESA radar, and successfully destroyed it using a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Gökdoğan air-to-air missile.

CNN reported that the missile, mounted under Kızılelma’s wing, struck the target drone directly, highlighting the precision and reliability of both the aircraft’s radar and missile systems.

Coordination With Manned Fighters

Developed indigenously by Baykar, Kızılelma flew alongside five F-15 fighter jets during the exercise. The Murad AESA radar on the drone tracked the high-speed target, after which the Gökdoğan missile was launched.

The missile executed a ‘loft’ maneuver, climbing after launch to increase kinetic energy and tracking range, ultimately hitting the target head-on—a feat captured by the target drone’s onboard camera.

Although Kızılelma currently lacks sensors for long-range independent engagements, it can integrate with other platforms like F-35 fighters or E-7 airborne early warning and control systems to receive targeting data. Such unmanned aircraft are expected to act as autonomous “wingmen,” enhancing the effectiveness of manned fighters in complex combat scenarios.

High-Speed, Fighter-Like Performance

The Kızılelma—meaning “Red Apple”—stands out from conventional drones due to its fighter-jet-like performance. Unlike subsonic, propeller-driven UCAVs, it is turbojet/turbofan-powered, achieving near-supersonic speeds (Mach 0.9) in current variants. Future B and C models are expected to reach full supersonic speeds (Mach 1.2+) with afterburning engines like the AI-322F, offering exceptional speed, agility, and combat potential.

Carrier-Based and Stealth Capabilities

Designed for carrier-based operations, Kızılelma can take off and land from short runways aboard ships such as Turkey’s TCG Anadolu, supporting autonomous missions even in high-sea conditions. Its stealth design, low radar cross-section, and internal weapons bay allow it to penetrate contested airspace while carrying 1.5–1.8 tons of payload for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including precision strikes and SEAD operations.

A Milestone in Turkey’s Aerial Modernization

The successful radar-guided missile test demonstrates Kızılelma’s potential to reshape modern aerial warfare. As a cost-effective, high-speed, autonomous platform, it strengthens Turkey’s combat capabilities and points toward a future where manned and unmanned systems operate seamlessly together, achieving next-generation air superiority.

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