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Bayraktar Kızılelma

From Alfawiki
Baykar
IndustryDefense, Aerospace
Founded1984
FounderÖzdemir Bayraktar
Headquarters
Istanbul
,
Turkey
Key people
Selçuk Bayraktar (Chief Technology Officer, Chairman)
ProductsBayraktar Kızılelma (unmanned combat aerial vehicle), other UAVs
Websitebaykartech.com

Bayraktar Kızılelma Overview

The Bayraktar Kızılelma (translated as Red Apple in English) is a single-engine, stealth-capable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to operate from aircraft carriers. Developed by the Turkish defense firm Baykar, this aircraft is part of the broader Project MIUS (Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi), meaning Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System in English. The initial model, known as Kızılelma-A, features subsonic flight capabilities. Future versions, designated Kızılelma-B and Kızılelma-C, are planned to achieve supersonic speeds, with the latter expected to utilize a twin-engine setup. Alongside the TAI Anka-3, it represents one of Turkey's two stealthy, jet-powered UCAVs.

Baykar's Chief Technology Officer, Selçuk Bayraktar, originally indicated that the Kızılelma was projected to make its first flight in 2023, describing the development of a jet-powered unmanned aircraft as a "12-year-long dream." However, the aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight ahead of schedule in December 2022.

Following the establishment of a collaboration between Baykar and Leonardo focusing on unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, industry analysts have speculated that the Kızılelma could be chosen as the loyal wingman platform for the Global Combat Air Programme.

Development

Initial conceptual work on the Bayraktar MIUS began in 2013. In July 2021, the public was introduced to the first design visuals along with details outlining the aircraft's features. Haluk Bayraktar mentioned that Baykar is planning to invest approximately $1 billion into the project's development phase. Originally, the project was titled MIUS (Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi in Turkish, meaning Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System in English). The official designation, Kızılelma (translating to Red Apple), was unveiled in March 2022. This name carries a symbolic reference rooted in Turkic mythology.

Engine

During the SahaExpo event held in November 2021, Baykar formalized agreements with Ukrainian manufacturer Ivchenko-Progress for the supply of AI-322 turbofan engines and the integration of AI-25TLT turbofan engines. Initial prototypes are designed to achieve subsonic speeds powered by AI-25TLT engines, while subsequent versions are anticipated to reach supersonic velocities equipped with AI-322F engines.

Prototypes

File:Андрій Єрмак розпочав візит до Туреччини і зустрівся з керівниками компанії Baykar 02.jpg
Andriy Yermak standing before the Kızılelma

On the day the name was announced, Selçuk Bayraktar disclosed that the assembly of the first Kızılelma prototype had commenced. The initial flight-ready prototype was publicly revealed at Teknofest 2022. The third iteration, identified as the production prototype, successfully conducted its maiden flight on September 25, 2024, departing from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center located in Çorlu. This particular prototype, bearing tail number TC-ÖZB3, incorporated substantial modifications compared to earlier versions, including an afterburning engine, refined aerodynamics, and an upgraded avionics system.

Testing procedure

  • The initial engine integration evaluation was successfully completed on 19 September 2022.
  • On 20 November 2022, the drone underwent automatic taxiing and ground running assessments.
  • Take-off test flights commenced on 3 December 2022, marking the first occasion Kızılelma lifted its wheels off the runway.
  • The aircraft achieved its inaugural flight on 14 December 2022.
  • In mid-January 2023, the unmanned vehicle completed its second flight successfully.
  • By 15 April 2023, the platform had conducted its fourth flight test.
  • On 18 April 2023, the aircraft performed a flight test with the landing gear retracted within the fuselage.
  • The sixth and seventh flight tests occurred on 19 April 2023, featuring serial take-off and landing operations alongside high-speed flight trials.
  • The eighth flight test took place on 20 April 2023, encompassing high-speed maneuvers as well as serial take-off, landing, and pass-by evaluations.
  • During TEKNOFEST 2023 in Istanbul on 30 April 2023, Kızılelma flew in formation with a SoloTürk F-16C. This UCAV is engineered to operate as a loyal wingman alongside Turkish Air Force combat jets.
  • On 17 June 2023, during its twelfth test flight, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA UAV reached an altitude of 9.5 kilometers.

Production

In October 2024, Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of Baykar, declared that the Kızılelma had entered mass production, with the first unit already completed. The company plans to manufacture more than 10 aircraft by the year 2026.

Airframe

File:Bayraktar Kızılelma on the deck of TCG Anadolu (L-400) - 2.jpg
TCG Anadolu (L-400), an amphibious assault ship functioning as both a LHD and a V/STOL aircraft carrier within the Turkish Naval Forces, docked at the Golden Horn in Istanbul. The Baykar Kızılelma, developed under Project MIUS for use by the Turkish Navy and Air Force, is a jet-powered UCAV engineered to operate from TCG Anadolu. Its inaugural flight occurred on December 14, 2022. TCG Anadolu officially entered service on April 10, 2023.

The Kızılelma is an unmanned aerial vehicle featuring a supersonic airframe with a low-RCS, equipped with an AESA radar. Propulsion is provided by a turbofan engine supplied through two air intakes. Directional control around the yaw axis is managed via twin vertical stabilizers. The aircraft employs coupled-canard surfaces to enhance maneuverability and optimize airflow over the main wings. Internal bays enable it to perform missions in contested environments while maintaining reduced detectability.

Its aerodynamic design includes a canard-delta wing layout, similar to configurations found on stealth fighters like the Chengdu J-20 and the AVIC Dark Sword. While canards may slightly compromise stealth characteristics, they significantly improve agility. Certain control techniques may be applied to mitigate their radar signature impact.

The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the Kızılelma is approximately 6,000 kilograms (13,200 lb), with payload capacity reaching 1,500 kg. Operational ceiling is reported to be around 35,000 feet (10,670 m).

The production model integrates an AESA radar system, most likely the MURAD-200A, enhancing situational awareness. Defensive and survivability systems include Aselsan's KARAT-100 Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST), TOYGUN-100 Electro-Optical Tracking System, a Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and an IRIS Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS).

Designed for compatibility with amphibious assault ships such as the TCG Anadolu, the Kızılelma can perform takeoff and landing operations without requiring catapult assistance.

Capabilities

  • Satellite guidance
  • Fully autonomous takeoff and landing operations
  • Reduced radar cross-section
  • Exceptional agility
  • Controlled via Line Of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS)
  • Ability to take off and land on short-runway aircraft carriers
  • Enhanced situational awareness through AESA radar
  • Concealed internal weapons compartments
  • Designed for carrier deployment

Variants

File:Bayraktar Kızılelma on the deck of TCG Anadolu (L-400) - 1.jpg
Baykar MIUS Kızılelma UCAV aboard TCG Anadolu

At Teknofest 2022, Baykar revealed plans for a minimum of three Kızılelma variants, each featuring distinct engine setups. These engines are manufactured by the Turkish-Ukrainian collaboration known as Black Sea Shield.[1][2][3] The Kızılelma-A variant will reach near-supersonic velocities powered by the AI-25TLT engine. Meanwhile, Kızılelma-B is designed to achieve supersonic flight using a single Ukrainian AI-322F engine.[4][5] The Kızılelma-C model will be equipped with two AI-322F engines.

The prototype currently in production utilizes a Ukrainian AI-322 afterburning engine, enabling it to approach sonic speeds while maintaining enhanced maneuverability at high velocity. Baykar has announced intentions to offer multiple engine options for the Kızılelma within a 5–6 year timeframe to lessen reliance on foreign suppliers.[6]

Intended Users

Specifications (Kızılelma-A)

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

Additional Turkish UCAVs

China:

United States:

Australia:

India:

References

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