Kızılelma UCAV Hits Afterburner Milestone and Integrates Aselsan Tolun Munition

Türkiye’s next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Bayraktar Kızılelma, has reached two critical development milestones: successful testing of its afterburning turbofan engine and integration of the domestically developed Aselsan Tolun precision-guided munition. These advancements signal a significant leap forward in Türkiye’s efforts to field a stealthy jet-powered UCAV capable of carrier operations and autonomous air-to-ground strike missions.

Kızılelma Program Overview

The Bayraktar Kızılelma (Red Apple), developed by Turkish defense firm Baykar Technologies, is a stealthy unmanned combat aircraft designed to operate from both land bases and short-runway naval platforms like the TCG Anadolu LHD. The program was first unveiled in 2021 as part of Türkiye’s broader push for indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Unlike most current MALE/HALE drones that rely on propeller-driven engines and are optimized for ISR or slow-strike roles, Kızılelma is envisioned as a fast jet-powered platform with low-observable shaping. It is designed to perform deep strike missions, SEAD/DEAD (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses), air-to-air engagements using onboard AI-based autonomy systems, and operate in contested environments where traditional UAVs would be vulnerable.

Length: ~14.7 meters
Wingspan: ~10 meters
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~6 tons
Payload Capacity: ~1.5 tons
Cruise Speed: Subsonic (initial variant); supersonic planned
Engine Options: AI-25TLT (non-afterburning) or AI-322F (afterburning)

Afterburner Engine Test Marks Major Performance Leap

In September 2025, Baykar announced the successful ground testing of the Ukrainian-supplied Ivchenko-Progress AI-322F turbofan engine with afterburner capability on the Kızılelma airframe. This marks a significant evolution from earlier prototypes powered by non-afterburning AI-25TLT engines.

The afterburning variant is expected to substantially enhance thrust-to-weight ratio and enable higher dash speeds—potentially approaching transonic or low supersonic flight regimes. While no official performance figures have been released post-test, analysts estimate that the AI-322F could provide up to 4,200 kgf thrust with afterburner engaged.

This capability not only improves survivability during ingress/egress in contested zones but also opens possibilities for limited beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements—especially if coupled with AESA radar integration in future variants.

Tolun Miniature Bomb Integration Expands Strike Options

The second major milestone confirmed by Baykar is the successful integration of Aselsan’s Tolun miniature precision-guided munition into Kızılelma’s internal weapons bay—a key requirement for preserving its low radar cross-section (RCS).

Tolun is a GPS/INS-guided glide bomb weighing approximately 100 kg per unit. It features folding wings for extended standoff range (~30–50 km depending on release altitude) and high hit accuracy against fixed targets such as command posts or air defense sites.

Weight per bomb: ~100 kg
Guidance: GPS/INS; potential for laser/seeker upgrades
Carriage Mode: Internal bay compatible; multiple carriage possible via smart racks
Status: Operational with Turkish F-16s; now adapted for UCAV use

The ability to carry multiple Tolun bombs internally allows Kızılelma to conduct surgical strikes while maintaining stealth characteristics—critical when operating against integrated air defense systems (IADS).

A Step Toward Carrier-Based Drone Operations

A defining feature of the Kızılelma program is its compatibility with short-deck naval aviation platforms like TCG Anadolu—a former Spanish Juan Carlos I-class amphibious assault ship converted into an aircraft carrier-like platform by Türkiye.

Kızılelma has already completed ski-jump takeoff simulations and ground roll tests simulating carrier deck operations. Its tricycle landing gear design and high-thrust engine make it suitable for STOBAR-like launches without catapults—ideal for Anadolu’s configuration.

This positions Türkiye among a very small group of nations developing shipborne jet-powered UCAVs—a capability currently pursued only by China (e.g., GJ-11 Sharp Sword), Russia (S-70 Okhotnik), and the United States (MQ-25 Stingray/XQ-58 Valkyrie).

AI Autonomy and Future Capabilities Roadmap

Kızılelma is also designed around advanced autonomy concepts including onboard artificial intelligence capable of decision-making during complex missions such as SEAD or coordinated swarm attacks alongside other UAVs like TB2 or Akinci.

Autonomous mission planning & execution
Semi-autonomous BVR engagement potential in later blocks
MUM-T compatibility with manned fighters like F-16 or KAAN TF-X via datalinks

The roadmap includes future variants equipped with indigenous Turkish engines under development by TEI (Turkish Engine Industries), AESA radar integration from Aselsan/METEKSAN partnerships, electronic warfare payloads, and possibly air-to-air missiles such as Gökdoğan/Peregrine once miniaturized for internal carriage.

Strategic Implications for Regional Airpower Balance

The maturation of Kızılelma reflects Türkiye’s ambition to join the ranks of countries fielding fifth-generation drone capabilities—combining stealth shaping, high-speed propulsion, internal weapon bays, networked autonomy, and naval deployability.

This has implications beyond domestic defense needs:

NATO Interoperability: While not NATO-standard yet in avionics/protocols like Link-16/STANAG formats, future upgrades may enable closer joint operations within alliance frameworks.

Export Potential: Countries unable to access Western MALE/HALE drones due to ITAR restrictions may view Kızılelma as an alternative—especially if priced competitively against offerings like MQ-9B or Wing Loong III.

Aerial Deterrence: With regional tensions involving Greece/Eastern Med/Syria/Iraq theaters ongoing, fielding a stealthy strike-capable UCAV enhances strategic reach without risking pilot lives.

Kinetic Maturation Continues Through Flight Testing Campaigns

Kızılelma began taxi trials in late December 2022 followed by its maiden flight on December 14th that year. Since then it has undergone multiple flight test phases validating stability control laws under different payload configurations. The recent afterburner test suggests readiness for higher-speed envelope expansion flights soon—possibly leading toward IOC declaration within one to two years depending on funding pace and subsystem maturity.

Conclusion

The dual milestones achieved by Baykar—the afterburner engine integration and internal guided munition deployment—underscore rapid progress toward operationalizing an indigenous stealth UCAV fleet. If successfully fielded at scale alongside TB3/Akinci drones aboard TCG Anadolu-class vessels or land bases near conflict zones like Syria/North Iraq/Caucasus—it could redefine regional power projection dynamics using unmanned assets tailored for contested-domain dominance.

Sources:

“Bayraktar KIZILELMA completes first flight,” Baykar Technologies Press Release – Dec.14.2022 – https://www.baykartech.com/en/news/bayraktar-kizilelma-completes-first-flight/

“Tolun Miniature Bomb,” ASELSAN Product Page – https://www.aselsan.com.tr/en/capabilities/weapons-and-munitions/tolun-miniature-bomb

“KIZILELMA Unmanned Combat Aircraft,” Janes Defence Weekly – Sept.2025 overview

“Türkiye’s Naval Drone Ambitions,” Naval News – Aug.2024 – https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/08/turkiyes-naval-drone-program-tcg-anadolu-and-kizilelma-update/