Türkiye's uncrewed fighter jet KIZILELMA becomes world's 1st drone to fire air-to-air missile
Türkiye's Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft has become the world's first drone to successfully engage a jet-powered target with a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The historic test conducted off the Sinop coast featured the domestically produced GOKDOGAN missile guided by national radar systems. The achievement marks a significant milestone in Türkiye's defense capabilities and positions KIZILELMA as the only verified unmanned platform with air-to-air combat capability.
Türkiye has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in military aviation with its Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet successfully conducting the world's first air-to-air missile test by a drone against a jet-powered target. The historic demonstration took place during exercises off the northern coast of Sinop, showcasing Türkiye's advancing capabilities in unmanned combat systems.
Revolutionary combat capability
The KIZILELMA platform launched a locally developed GOKDOGAN beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile that precisely struck a high-speed jet target. According to defense manufacturer Baykar, the engagement represented the first instance in Turkish aviation history where a national aircraft deployed a domestically produced air-to-air missile guided by indigenous radar technology to neutralize an aerial threat. The successful test establishes KIZILELMA as the sole unmanned platform worldwide with verified air-to-air combat capacity.
Advanced technological integration
The mission demonstrated sophisticated systems integration, with the target initially detected and tracked using ASELSAN's MURAD AESA radar before missile launch from beneath the unmanned fighter's wing. The test also featured coordinated operations between crewed and uncrewed assets, including five F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base flying in formation with KIZILELMA. A Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned aerial vehicle documented the entire engagement from the air.
Advertisement
Strategic defense advancement
KIZILELMA's low observable characteristics and advanced sensor systems enable the platform to detect adversary aircraft from significant distances while maintaining stealth capabilities. The unmanned fighter incorporates cutting-edge technologies including the TOYGUN targeting system and can deploy various locally manufactured munitions. This successful air-to-air engagement follows previous demonstrations of the platform's air-to-ground capabilities, expanding its operational versatility within Türkiye's defense architecture.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.