The Bayraktar KIZILELMA National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System was transferred to AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ at the beginning of the week.
The first Automatic Taxi and Running Test conducted without safety ties, directed by Baykar Chairman of the Board and Technology Leader Selçuk Bayraktar, was successfully completed. Thus, Bayraktar KIZILELMA was one step closer to its first flight.
The test was overseen by Baykar’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Selçuk Bayraktar.
The fast drone fighter jet Kızılelma is said to represent a significant expansion of capabilities for slow-moving reconnaissance and missile-carrying drones.
It will be capable of taking off from and landing on short-runway aircraft carriers, including Türkiye’s flagship-to-be amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, which is expected to enter service next month.
This feature is said to help extend Türkey’s drone capabilities from land-based to naval operations.
The landing helicopter dock (LHD) type ship, TCG Anadolu is said to be the first of its kind in the world as a vessel that allows the landing of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) on its dock.
Sources: YouTube; Railly News; Daily Sabah