Bayrektar Kizilelma is a crown jewel of the Turkish drone industry. Basically we mean unmanned aerial vehicles by drone. But Kizilelma is much more than that. Because it’s not just a drone, but a full-fledged fighter jet without a pilot. According to the Turks, the entire Western world is afraid of their Kizilelma UAVs. In this blog we’ll look at Bairaktar’s Kizilelma UAV and why it’s so much more than a drone.
As part of Project MIUS, Turkish military firm Baykar developed the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) known as the Bayraktar Kızılelma. It is a low-observable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle with carrier capability. The original type is subsonic, but the Kızılelma-B and Kızılelma-C proposed variations are supersonic. Together with TAI Anka-3, it is one of two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAVs. The aircraft’s first flight was accomplished in December 2022, which was a major turning point in the advancement of UCAVs powered by jet engines.
Bayraktar Kızılelma Development:
The Bayraktar MIUS project, initially known as MIUS (Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System), was launched in 2013 and was officially named Kızılelma (Red Apple in Turkish) in March 2022. The first prototypes were tested at subsonic speeds using AI-25TLT engines, with the next prototypes expected to be supersonic with AI-322F engines. The first engine integration test was conducted on September 19, 2022, followed by automatic taxiing and ground running tests on November 20, 2022. Take-off test flights began on December 3, 2022, and the Kızılelma made its maiden flight on December 14, 2022. The drone made its second flight in mid-January 2023, and the Kızılelma completed its fourth flight test on April 15, 2023, and eight-flight test on April 20, 2023. The Kızılelma UCAV flew in formation with a SoloTurk F-16C during TEKNOFEST 2023 in Istanbul, designed to be used as a loyal wingman by the Turkish Air Force. On June 17, 2023, the Turkish UAV Bayraktar KIZILELMA reached an altitude of 9.5 km during the 12th test flight.
Bayraktar Kızılelma Design:
Operating on the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (L-400) of the Turkish Naval Forces, the Baykar MIUS Kızılelma is a jet-engined unmanned combat automation vehicle. It was put into service on April 10, 2023, having completed its first flight on December 14, 2022. The aircraft has a turbofan engine, coupled-canard controls for improved agility, and a low-RCS supersonic airframe with an AESA radar. The canards-delta design of the aerodynamic controls is reminiscent of stealth aircraft such as the Chengdu J-20 and AVIC Dark Sword. The maximum takeoff weight of the Kızılelma is 6,000 kg, of which 1,500 kg can be used for the payload. It will operate at a height of thirty-five thousand feet. The aircraft can operate on the TCG Anadolu since it is built to take off and land on an amphibious assault ship without requiring a catapult system. The aircraft’s interior compartments enable minimal observability operation in disputed settings.
Bayraktar Kızılelma Variants:
Baykar declared during Teknofest 2022 that there would be a minimum of three Kızılelma models, each with a distinct engine configuration. Black Sea Shield, a joint venture between Turkey and Ukraine, manufactures the engines. Kızılelma-A, with the AI-25TLT engine, will be able to reach near-supersonic speeds. Kızılelma-B will have a single Ukrainian AI-322F engine that allows it to travel at supersonic speeds. The Kızılelma-C is going to be equipped with two AI-322F engines. Though nothing has been officially verified as of yet, it is anticipated that Turkish-made Tusas Engine Industries TF6000 turbofan engines would be used in the future.
Bayraktar Kızılelma Features:
- Completely independent takeoff and landing
- Low radar cross-section, high mobility, and controllable beyond line of sight (BLOS) and line of sight (LOS)
- Capability to take off and land from aircraft carriers with a short runway
- using AESA radar to achieve high situation awareness
- Inside weapon bays
Specifications Bayraktar Kızılelma-A:
The Bayraktar Kızılelma-A is a turbofan-powered, stealthy, and air-to-air combat-capable unmanned fighter jet under development by Baykar Technologies, a Turkish UAV manufacturer. It features a turbofan engine, subsonic speed, a payload capacity of 1.5 tons, a maximum takeoff weight of 8.5 tons, an operational altitude of 30,000 feet, and air-to-air missile capability.
Bayraktar Kızılelma General Specifications:
- 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of capacity
- 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in) in length
- 10-meter (32-foot-ten-inch) wingspan
- 3 m (10 ft 10 in) in height
- Weight limit for takeoff: 8,500 kg (18,739 lb)
- Fuel capacity is not stated. Fuel capacity of JP-8 or Jet-A1
- One x Ivchenko-Progress AI-25TLT powerplant 16.9 kN (3,790 lbf) thrust turbofan engine without afterburners (Kızılelma-A).
- One Ivchenko-Progress AI-322F power plant Turbofan engine, 9,900 lbf (44 kN) with afterburner (Kızılelma-B), and 24.5 kN (5,510 lbf) thrust dry
Bayraktar Kızılelma Avionics:
- National AESA Radar
- Aselsan Common Aperture Targeting System
- Electronic Warfare Pod
- National SIGINT module
Bayraktar Kızılelma Performance:
- 1,100 km/h is the maximum speed (680 mph, 590 kn). 0.9 Mach
- 735 km/h (457 mph, 400 kn) is the cruise speed. 0.6 Mach
- Combat range on internal fuel: 930 km (580 mi, 500 nmi).
- Sustain is 5–6 hours
- Service ceiling of 45 000 feet (14,000 meters)
- Altitude of operation is 11,000 meters (35,000 feet)
Bayraktar Kızılelma Armament:
Missiles:
Air-to-air missiles:
Gokdogan BVR AAM
Bozdogan AAM
Akdogan AAM
Gokhan AAM
Air-to-surface missiles:
SOM air-launched cruise missile
TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-TJ
TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-KY
TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-ER
TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-EW
L-UMTAS
AKBABA
ROKETSAN CAKIR
TRG-230-iHA
Bombs:
Teber-81
HGK-82
KGK-82
Teber-82
HGK-83
KGK-83
HGK-84
LHGK-84
TUBITAK-SAGE TOGAN
TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-SS
Aselsan Miniature Bomb
SARB-83 Bunker buster
NEB-84 Bunker buster
TUBITAK-SAGE BOZOK
MAM-C
MAM-L
MAM-T
FAQ
What is the capability of Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma?
The Bayraktar Kızılelma, a next-generation unmanned fighter jet, is being developed for various applications, including air-to-air combat, carrier operations, stealth, and advanced avionic systems.
How powerful is Bayraktar Kızılelma?
The Bayraktar Kızılelma is a complex fighter jet with advanced capabilities, including air-to-air combat, long-range strike, and stealth. Its effectiveness depends on mission and scenario, and its full capabilities are yet to be revealed.
How many versions have Bayraktar Kızılelma?
The Bayraktar Kızılelma is undergoing development with three planned versions: A, B, and C. The A variant, powered by an AI-25TLT turbofan, is expected to enter Turkish Air Force service in 2023-2024.
What kind of armament is used in Bayraktar Kızılelma?
The Bayraktar Kızılelma is a military vehicle developing a potential weapons arsenal, including missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and larger payloads, with official details being confidential due to ongoing development.
What kind of avionics is used in Bayraktar Kızılelma?
The Bayraktar Kızılelma, a Turkish military aircraft, is set to feature advanced avionics, autonomous takeoff and landing, and advanced mission planning, with the avionics system expected to be open-architecture for future upgrades.
