During the test conducted in Çorlu, KIZILELMA prototypes PT3 and PT5 carried out a formation flight with an autonomous combat pilot, supported by smart fleet algorithms. This marked the first time in the history of global aviation that two unmanned fighter aircraft performed a close formation flight autonomously.

The development of Türkiye’s first-ever unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, continues with the integration of new capabilities. As part of ongoing activities at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, two Bayraktar KIZILELMA prototypes carried out a simultaneous mission in the skies.

Yet Another Unprecedented Achievement by KIZILELMA

During the test, Bayraktar KIZILELMA’s third and fifth prototypes, PT3 and PT5, took off sequentially. After climbing to altitude, the unmanned fighter aircraft operated in a coordinated manner, performing a formation flight with an autonomous combat pilot enabled by Baykar’s self-developed smart fleet autonomy algorithms. This marked the first time in global aviation history that two unmanned fighter aircraft performed a close formation flight autonomously. This technological advancement allows autonomous systems to execute complex aerial missions traditionally performed by manned fighter aircraft. The capability enables multiple unmanned platforms to autonomously position themselves and conduct joint missions under a single leader’s command.

Air Patrol Mission

During the test flight, the aircraft also conducted a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) mission, one of the core elements of modern aerial warfare. The Bayraktar KIZILELMA prototypes carried out a patrol flight along a predefined route, supported by fleet autonomy software. The test confirmed that indigenous unmanned fighter aircraft are capable of performing air defense missions as part of an autonomous fleet. In the future, patrol and interception missions—traditionally conducted by manned fighter aircraft to secure designated airspace—will be performed autonomously by KIZILELMA fleets.

The Future of Aerial Warfare

Throughout the test, the autonomous systems and coordinated operation processes of the unmanned fighter aircraft were closely monitored. Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed by Baykar using its own resources, will continue to enhance its capability to conduct coordinated multi-platform operations through its smart fleet autonomy infrastructure.

A First in Aviation History: Air-to-Air Strike

Bayraktar KIZILELMA entered global aviation history during a test conducted on November 29, 2025. In the historic test, carried out off the coast of Sinop, the unmanned fighter aircraft successfully struck an aerial target aircraft designated by ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar using a GÖKDOĞAN air-to-air missile developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE. With this achievement, Bayraktar KIZILELMA became the world’s first unmanned fighter aircraft to destroy an airborne target using an air-to-air missile, marking a milestone in unmanned aerial combat capabilities.

Export Leader

Having financed all its projects through internal resources since its establishment, Baykar has generated 83% of its total revenue from exports since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003. In 2023, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports, ranking among Türkiye’s top ten exporters across all sectors. As the world’s leading exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles, Baykar sustained its global success in 2024, once again recording $1.8 billion in exports, with 90% of its total revenue generated from international sales.

The World’s Largest UAV Company

Baykar received the Champions of Export Award after ranking among Türkiye’s top ten exporters across all sectors in 2023 and 2024. According to data from the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), the company led the defense and aerospace industry in exports for four consecutive years—2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2023, Baykar alone accounted for one-third of the sector’s total exports, followed by one-quarter in 2024, contributing decisively to Türkiye’s rise as a global leader in the UCAV export market. Currently the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, Baykar has signed export agreements with a total of 37 countries—including 36 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 and 16 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI.