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Türkiye’s unmanned fighter aircraft has successfully passed a system identification test during its second flight.
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The Baykar private defence company is overseeing testing for the country’s first indigenously designed and produced unmanned combat aerial vehicle system in the Çorlu district of north-western Tekirdağ.
The Kızılelma or Red Apple, a fast drone fighter jet, is designed to operate in tandem with piloted aircraft and may carry air-to-air missiles. It completed its first flight in December 2022.
A Baykar announcement made on 25 January, celebrated the second flight of the aircraft.
“Having completed its maiden flight in December last year, the fast drone fighter jet, Kızılelma, represents a significant expansion of capabilities for slow-moving reconnaissance and missile-carrying drones,” the announcement said.
“It will be capable of taking off from and landing on short-runway aircraft carriers including Türkiye's flagship-to-be Anadolu amphibious assault ship.
“It is projected to be capable of flying for five hours and reaching speeds of up to 800 kph (Mach 0.64).”
The uncrewed fighter jet is expected to conduct military actions such as strategic offensives, close air support, missile offensives, suppression of enemy air defenses and destruction of enemy air defenses.
