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Türkiye’s unmanned fighter jet, Bayraktar Kızılelma or Red Apple, has achieved formation flight with another unmanned combat aerial vehicle during flight testing.
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The single-engine, low-observable, carrier-capable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle is in development by Turkish defence company Baykar Technologies, as it completes a series of identification and flight tests.
The aircraft is designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions with the assistance of artificial intelligence and a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms.
Baykar chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar said the aircraft successfully completed the fifth system identification test on 18 April.
“Bayraktar Kızılelma performed its fifth flight test. As part of the system identification tests, it successfully performed test manoeuvres with its landing gear closed and open,” he said.
The aircraft also successfully conducted a formation flight with Baykar’s Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV during its ninth and 10th flight tests on 24 April, according to the company.
Previous testing has confirmed the aircraft is capable of manoeuvring at high speed, reportedly able to reach speeds of 1,100km/h, achieve an operating altitude of 10,668 metres, and proficient in short runway take-off and landing. for land or aircraft carriers.
The Bayraktar Kızılelma project has already yielded two prototypes and the company plans to begin mass production of the national unmanned warplane by 2024.
The second prototype is expected to begin flight tests from Turkish Navy flagship TCG Anadolu in 2025.
