Turkey unveils its new supersonic drone, the Bayraktar Kizilelma

Star of combat drones on the Ukrainian battlefields, the firm Bayraktar returns with a stealth model, powered by a turbojet. The drone is even powered by Ukrainians. The prototype of the aircraft has just been presented at an air show in Turkey.

The war in Ukraine demonstrated the importance of using drone. Among them is the famous Baykatar TB2 whose praises have even been sung by Ukrainian propaganda. His little brother the Mini Bayraktar, specialized in observation, is also present above the battlefields. Let’s hope this war ends before the latest installment of the trick builder arrives. Bayrak, with the Bayraktar Kizilelma. The second prototype of this drone has just been presented for the first time at the Teknofest Black Seaan air show currently being held in Turkey.

With this drone, the firm is making a radical change in category. L’aircraftwhich is expected to make its maiden flight in early 2023, will be stealthy and feature a turbojet capable of pushing it to almost 980 km/h when cruising at an altitude of more than 12,000 meters with a peak of Mach 1. In terms of architecture, the drone is reminiscent of the lines of the famous American F-35, with two empennages verticals and two duck planes at the front. Its autonomy will be less than the TB2, since instead of 24 hours of endurance, it will be limited to 5 hours.

A supersonic stealth drone

With its velocity, its use remains different and the aircraft will be able to evolve with the capabilities of a fighter aircraft, while remaining stealthy. The firm explains that the aircraft will be equipped with “aggressive” maneuverability to be able to independently carry out evasive maneuvers or close combat thanks to its AI embarked. In other words, on paper, he would be able to face a fighter plane. It can also be used as a wingman of a manned combat aircraft. Even if the choice of engine had been made before therussian invasion of Ukraine, it is a turbojet Ukrainian who will propel the drone. It will be the Ivchenko-Progress AI-25, a Soviet-designed reactor that still powers the Czechoslovak Aero L-39 Albatros trainer.

The Bayraktar Kizilelma will be able to carry up to 1.5 tons of ammunition and payload. Her mass maximum will be 3.5 tons, so this drone promises to be more massive than a MQ-9 Reaper. He can carry missile air-to-air, air-to-ground and cruise missiles, with the possibility of placing them in the hold to maintain its stealth.

Another peculiarity, the drone will be able to take off and land on an aircraft carrier, without requiring a catapult. The first flight of the prototype baptized MİUS will fly to a speed close to that of sound, but the next models will be supersonic.