Bayraktar KIZILELMA Records Precision Simulated Strike in F-16 Test

In a significant milestone for Türkiye's defense industry, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, the country's first unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV), successfully completed a high-stakes test over Tekirdağ's Çorlu flight centre. During the flight, KIZILELMA engaged in simulated air-to-air combat with an F-16, tracking the jet via the MURAD AESA radar and scoring a simulated kill using the GÖKDOĞAN beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile. According to Baykar, KIZILELMA took off from the AKINCI Test and Training Center at an average altitude of 15,000 feet. The flight lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, and its total test flight hours for this platform have now exceeded 55 hours. During the test, two Turkish F-16s participated: one performed a "wingman" role, flying in formation with KIZILELMA, while the other acted as the simulated target. Here are the critical technical achievements from the mission: Lock-on at 30 miles: KIZILELMA's MURAD radar detected and locked the target F-16 from around 30 miles away. Data link confirmed: Real-time target tracking data — including position and speed — was shared continuously between KIZILELMA, the radar, and the GÖKDOĞAN missile, proving the robustness of the communication infrastructure. Three for one: The flight validated three complex systems in one go — manned-unmanned teaming (joint flight with F-16), missile integration, and radar performance — all in a very demanding scenario. Baykar called this test "a historic exam" for the KIZILELMA platform. The company says this achievement is a critical step in proving KIZILELMA's ability to handle future combat roles, especially in BVR engagements.