Turkey’s KIZILELMA Drone Shoots Target with Air-to-Air Missile in Sixth Generation Fighter Tech Display

Turkey’s KIZILELMA reusable unmanned combat aircraft hit its target with a beyond-visual-visual-air-to-air missile in a manned-unmanned teaming with F-16 fighter jets making it the first ever display of sixth generation fighter technologies.

During a test firing in the Black Sea, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA used the ASELSAN MURAD AESA Radar to engage a target aircraft with a TÜBİTAK-SAGE GÖKDOĞAN Beyond Visual Visual Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).

This marked the first time an unmanned combat aircraft equipped with an AESA Radar has engaged an air target with an air-to-air missile. Man-unmanned aircraft teaming is an important component of sixth generation fighter technologies which several countries are seeking to develop,

Five F-16 fighter jets, taking off from the Merzifon 5th Main Jet Base for a historic test, rendezvoused with the Bayraktar KIZILELMA over Sinop. Performing a five-way formation flight with the F-16s, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA demonstrated the future of air combat by conducting a joint manned-unmanned operation.

A Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV (UAV) accompanied the flight, capturing the historic moment from the air.

The high-speed target drone was detected and tracked by the MURAD AESA radar developed by ASELSAN, located on the Bayraktar KIZILELMA. After the radar precisely identified the target, KIZILELMA fired the GÖKDOĞAN Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, which it carries under its wing.

The launched missile hit the jet-powered target drone with a direct hit. With a much lower radar signature (RCS) than current fighter jets, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA can detect enemy aircraft from a long distance before they detect it, thanks to its advanced sensors. This new concept, which "sees without being seen, strikes without being shot at," will make the Bayraktar KIZILELMA a platform that will deliver superiority in air combat.