28.12.2025 13:11
During the test flight of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA's smart fleet autonomy capability, for the first time in the history of aviation, two unmanned combat aircraft performed autonomous close formation flying.
According to a statement from Baykar, the development process of Turkey's first unmanned combat aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, continues with the integration of new capabilities. As part of the work carried out at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, two different Bayraktar KIZILELMA prototypes simultaneously performed missions in the sky.
In the conducted test, the third prototype PT3 and the fifth prototype PT5 of Bayraktar KIZILELMA took off consecutively. The two unmanned combat aircraft, thanks to the smart fleet autonomy algorithms developed by the Baykar team, moved in coordination with each other and performed formation flying (wing flying) with an autonomous combat pilot.
FIRST AUTONOMOUS CLOSE FORMATION FLIGHT
Thus, for the first time in the history of aviation, two unmanned combat aircraft performed autonomous close formation flight.
With this technological advancement, complex air missions carried out by manned combat aircraft are being transferred to autonomous systems. This capability allows multiple unmanned platforms to autonomously adjust their positions relative to each other under the command of a leader to carry out joint missions.
AIR PATROL MISSION
During the flight test, one of the fundamental elements of modern air combat, the CAP (Combat Air Patrol) mission was also tested. The Bayraktar KIZILELMA prototypes conducted patrol flights along a predetermined route with fleet autonomy software. Thus, the feasibility of conducting air defense missions in formation by the national unmanned combat aircraft was confirmed. The patrol and deterrence missions carried out by combat aircraft to protect specific areas can be autonomously performed by Bayraktar KIZILELMA fleets in the future.
Throughout the test process, the autonomous systems of the unmanned combat aircraft and their joint operation processes were closely monitored. Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed entirely with Baykar's own resources, will continue to enhance its capability to conduct coordinated operations with multiple platforms thanks to its smart fleet autonomy infrastructure.
ENTERED WORLD HISTORY IN THE TEST ON NOVEMBER 29
Bayraktar KIZILELMA made history in aviation on November 29 during a test. In the historic test conducted off the coast of Sinop, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, which hit the target aircraft marked by the ASELSAN-made MURAD AESA radar with the GÖKDOĞAN missile developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, became the first unmanned combat aircraft in the world to destroy a jet-powered air target using a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Baykar, the world's largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, has signed export agreements with a total of 37 countries, including 36 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and 16 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV.
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Baykar, stated in his post regarding the test, "For the first time in the world! Two unmanned combat aircraft successfully performed autonomous close formation flight!" Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar also commented, "For the first time in the history of aviation, two unmanned combat aircraft performed autonomous close formation flight. Not copying but inventing, not imitating but being followed..."