Bayraktar Kızılelma
Summary
| Category | Military Drones |
| Origin country | 🇹🇷 Turkey |
| Manufacturer | Baykar |
| First flight | 14 December 2022 |
| Year introduced | 2025 |
| Number produced | 7 units |
Description
The Bayraktar Kızılelma is a single-engine, jet-powered unmanned multirole fighter developed by the Turkish defense company Baykar under Project MIUS (Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System). Conceptual studies began in 2013, and the first design images were released in July 2021. The aircraft conducted its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. Mass production commenced in October 2024, with five prototypes and two serial production aircraft built by early 2026. The first delivery to the Turkish Armed Forces is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
The airframe features a low-radar cross-section (RCS) design with a canard-delta configuration and two vertical stabilizers. It is constructed for carrier-capable operations, specifically optimized for the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship without the requirement for a catapult system. The aircraft utilizes an artificial intelligence (AI) based mission computer for autonomous taxiing, takeoff, landing, and flight. Sensors include the Aselsan MURAD AESA radar, the KARAT infrared search and track (IRST) system, and the TOYGUN electro-optical targeting system (EOTS). Internal weapon compartments are used to maintain low observability.
The Kızılelma has a maximum takeoff weight of 8,500 kg and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg. Armament is carried across two internal stations and six external wing hardpoints. On November 30, 2025, the platform conducted a test firing of the Gökdoğan beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, utilizing autonomous guidance from its integrated AESA radar. Other compatible munitions include Bozdoğan, Akdoğan, and Gökhan air-to-air missiles; SOM cruise missiles; and the KUZGUN series of modular munitions. It is also cleared for various guided bombs, including the Teber, HGK, and KGK series, as well as MAM-C, MAM-L, and MAM-T micro-intelligent munitions.
Operational testing has included autonomous formation flights. On December 17, 2025, two Kızılelma aircraft performed a close-formation flight using AI-driven autonomy. During its 12th test flight in June 2023, the aircraft reached an altitude of 9.5 km. The production prototype, designated TC-ÖZB3, first flew on September 25, 2024, featuring an afterburning engine and updated avionics architecture.
Main Variants
- Kızılelma-A: Subsonic version powered by a single Ivchenko-Progress AI-25TLT turbofan engine.
- Kızılelma-B: Supersonic version powered by a single Ivchenko-Progress AI-322F afterburning turbofan engine.
- Kızılelma-C: Supersonic version featuring a twin-engine configuration utilizing two AI-322F engines.
Technical specifications
| Version: Kızılelma-A | |
|---|---|
| Operational range | 930 km (578 mi) |
| Endurance | 3 hours |
| Maximum speed | 1100 km/h (684 mph) |
| Wingspan | 10 m (32.8 ft) |
| Height | 3.5 m (11.5 ft) |
| Length | 14.5 m (47.6 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 14,000 m (45,932 ft) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 x Ivchenko-Progress AI-25TLT delivering 16 kN each |
Further Reading Ad
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- Air-to-Air Long-Range Gökdoğan
- Air-to-Air Short-Range Bozdoğan
- Air-to-Air Short-Range Akdoğan
- Air-to-Air Long-Range Gökhan
- Cruise SOM
- Air-to-Surface TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-TJ
- Air-to-Surface TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-KY
- Air-to-Surface TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-ER
- Anti-Tank L-UMTAS
- Anti-Radiation AKBABA
- Anti-Ship ROKETSAN ÇAKIR
- Air-to-Surface TRG-230-iHA
Bombs payload:
- Guided Bomb Teber-81
- Guided Bomb HGK-82
- Guided Bomb KGK-82
- Guided Bomb Teber-82
- Guided Bomb HGK-83
- Guided Bomb KGK-83
- Guided Bomb HGK-84
- Guided Bomb LHGK-84
- Guided Bomb TUBITAK-SAGE TOGAN
- Guided Bomb TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-SS
- Guided Bomb Aselsan Miniature Bomb (MB)
- Guided Bomb SARB-83
- Guided Bomb NEB-84
- Guided Bomb TUBITAK-SAGE BOZOK
- Guided Bomb MAM-C
- Guided Bomb MAM-L
- Guided Bomb MAM-T