Turkey’s Kızılelma combat drone hits test target in all-Turkish setup

ISTANBUL — Turkey’s fifth prototype of the Kızılelma unmanned aircraft scored a direct hit on an aerial target with a beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile, according to an announcement by manufacturer Baykar and the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The Nov. 29 test, off the coast of Sinop in the Black Sea, included the strike drone, fitted with Aselsan-made sensors and electronics, and a TÜBİTAK SAGE-made Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, according to the statement.

It marked the first time that the jet-engined Kızılelma has successfully engaged an aerial target beyond visual range.

According to information shared by Baykar, five F-16 fighter jets departing from the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon flew in formation with Kızılelma, demonstrating future air combat concepts through manned–unmanned joint operations.

Ankara-based defense analyst Arda Mevlütoğlu described the test as a milestone toward the Turkish government’s ambitions to have sophisticated defense equipment made at home.

Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, commander of the Turkish Air Force, touted the event as heralding “a new era in aviation history.”

“As the Commander of the Turkish Air Force, I believe we are witnessing a historic day, and when we look back in the future, everyone will better understand what this truly means.”

Cem Devrim Yaylali is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is a keen photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France, and resides in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with one son.

伊斯坦布尔——据制造商 Baykar 和土耳其国防部宣布，土耳其第五架 Kızılelma 无人机原型机使用超视距空空导弹直接击中空中目标。

声明称，11 月 29 日在黑海锡诺普海岸进行的测试包括一架装有阿塞尔桑公司制造的传感器和电子设备的攻击无人机，以及一枚土耳其科学技术研究委员会 SAGE 制造的 Gökdoğan 空空导弹。

这是喷气式发动机的克孜勒尔马首次成功击中视距外的空中目标。

据 Baykar 分享的信息显示，五架 F-16 战斗机从梅尔济丰的第 5 主喷气机基地司令部起飞，与 Kızılelma 编队飞行，通过有人-无人联合行动展示了未来的空中作战概念。

安卡拉的国防分析师阿尔达·梅夫吕托格鲁将此次试验描述为土耳其政府实现其在国内制造先进国防装备这一雄心壮志的一个里程碑。

土耳其空军司令齐亚·杰马尔·卡迪奥卢将军称赞此次活动预示着“航空史上一个新时代的到来”。

“作为土耳其空军司令，我相信我们正在见证历史性的一天，当我们将来回顾这一天时，每个人都会更好地理解这究竟意味着什么。”

杰姆·德夫里姆·亚伊拉利是《防务新闻》驻土耳其记者。他热衷于拍摄军舰，并对海军和国防议题充满热情。他出生于法国巴黎，现居土耳其伊斯坦布尔。他已婚，育有一子。