Turkey’s Bayraktar Kızılelma UAV Achieves Historic First by Downing F‑16 in Test

Turkey’s defence industry marked a milestone in unmanned aviation as the Bayraktar Kızılelma combat drone successfully carried out a simulated air‑to‑air engagement against a fighter‑class aircraft. The test, conducted under controlled conditions, is being hailed as the world’s first demonstration of a drone achieving a fighter‑jet kill in a test scenario.

Baykar, the manufacturer of the Kızılelma, confirmed that the UAV used its MURAD active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to detect and lock onto a target representing a fighter jet. The drone then launched a Gökdoğan beyond‑visual‑range air‑to‑air missile (BVRAAM) in a simulated strike, scoring a direct hit in the test environment.

Technical Capabilities

• Design: Jet‑powered, carrier‑capable UAV with low‑observable features.

• Payload: Over 1,500 kg, enabling carriage of advanced Turkish‑made munitions.

• Radar: Indigenous AESA system providing long‑range detection and tracking.

• Missile Integration: Compatible with Gökdoğan BVRAAM for air‑to‑air combat.

The demonstration marks a paradigm shift in UAV roles, moving beyond surveillance and ground strikes into air‑to‑air combat capability. Baykar, already known for the widely exported Bayraktar TB2 drones, is positioning the Kızılelma as a next‑generation platform capable of manned‑unmanned teaming with Turkish Air Force fighters. The test underscores Turkey’s ambition to become a leader in advanced unmanned combat aviation.