Recently, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Tech conducted the first flight test of its next-generation unmanned fighter jet, the Bayraktar Kizilelma. Now Baykar plans to make a supersonic variant of its unmanned fighter jet, the Bayraktar Kızılelma.
According to the chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar the Kızılelma will be able to fight against warplanes, Bayraktar said, besides, its cruising time is several times longer compared to Baykar’s latest drone, the Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), he said.
“We even plan to make a supersonic variant,” Bayraktar noted.
The uncrewed fighter jet is projected to conduct a multitude of military actions, such as strategic offensives, close air support (CAS), missile offensives, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD).
Powered by a single Ukrainian-designed Ivchenko-Progress turbofan engine, the Kizilelma is planned to have a 1,500-kilogram payload capacity. It will be capable of conducting air-to-ground and air-to-air missions.
According to the company, it will have a maximum takeoff weight of 6 tons, including 1.5 tons of ordnance, and will fly at a height of 35,000-40,000 feet.
It is projected to be capable of flying for five hours and reaching speeds of up to 800 kph (500 mph or Mach 0.64).
According to the company, Kizilelma will be able to take off and land on aircraft carriers with short runways and conduct missions with internally carried munitions.
