Turkey Claims Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Successfully Targeted F-16 in BVR Test
Turkey has announced a major milestone in its defence aviation programme, claiming that its first unmanned combat aircraft, the Bayraktar Kızılelma, successfully targeted an F-16 fighter jet during a beyond-visual-range (BVR) test simulation.
The aircraft’s manufacturer, Baykar Defence, said the demonstration took place near Sinop’s coastline and involved two Turkish Air Force F-16s. During the test, the Kızılelma reportedly locked onto a target F-16 from a distance of 50 kilometres using the locally developed MURAD AESA radar. It then carried out a virtual launch of the Gökdoğan BVR air-to-air missile, achieving a simulated direct hit.
According to Baykar, the trial also included formation flying with a manned F-16, with company chairman and chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar participating in the flight. He described the moment as “a new era in aviation history” and said Turkey had become the first country to reach this milestone with an unmanned combat aircraft.
What the Test Demonstrated
Officials stated that three key evaluations were conducted in a single flight:
- Formation flight with manned fighters:
The Kızılelma flew in close formation with an F-16, demonstrating its ability to operate in joint missions with piloted aircraft—a capability often described as the “loyal wingman” concept. - Compatibility with BVR missile carriage:
Engineers examined the aerodynamics and avionics performance of the aircraft while carrying the Gökdoğan missile under its wing. Baykar reported no adverse effect on flight or electronics. - Radar–missile data-link performance:
The MURAD radar successfully detected, tracked, and locked onto the F-16 target, immediately transmitting positional and speed data to the missile system—critical for long-range engagements.
Capabilities and Future Outlook
Kızılelma—meaning “Red Apple” in Turkish and symbolising victory—has been designed as a low-observable drone equipped with advanced sensors. It is intended to detect and track enemy aircraft at long distances and, according to officials, has accumulated over 55 hours of flight testing so far. The aircraft reportedly sustained continuous flight for one hour and 45 minutes at 15,000 feet during recent trials.
Turkey expects to induct the aircraft into its armed forces by 2026. A twin-engine, supersonic version capable of ship-borne operations is also being developed. Defence analysts say that deploying large numbers of such unmanned combat platforms could significantly strengthen surveillance and air-defence capabilities in regions such as the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Experts also highlight that Turkey’s Gökdoğan missile has a range of around 200 kilometres, comparable to American AMRAAM missiles, potentially enabling Kızılelma to engage advanced jets such as the F-35 under certain conditions.
Growth of Turkey’s Drone Industry
The rise of Kızılelma follows the global popularity of Baykar’s earlier UAVs, including the TB2, which have been used in conflicts from Libya and Syria to Ethiopia and the South Caucasus. Baykar now exports defence systems to more than 30 countries, and its products have become central to Turkey’s rapidly expanding domestic defence sector.
Baykar’s leadership, particularly Selçuk Bayraktar, has been credited with driving the country’s ambition to become self-reliant in advanced unmanned technologies. He previously studied unmanned helicopter systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before returning to Turkey to join the family-run company.
The company reported $1.8 billion in exports in both 2023 and 2024, placing it among Turkey’s top defence exporters.
A Potential Game Changer?
Defence analysts say the latest demonstration—combining formation flight, radar locking, and virtual long-range missile firing—signals a major step forward in the evolution of unmanned combat aviation. If verified in live-fire conditions, the system could reshape future air warfare by pairing autonomous platforms with manned fighters in highly coordinated roles.