Turkey’s Bayraktar Kizirerma combat drone, dubbed the country’s first “unmanned combat aircraft” with a maximum take-off weight of 6 tons, has successfully completed ground tests prior to its maiden flight.
Turkish drone maker Baykar announced on November 20 that its Kizilelma combat drone has passed taxi and takeoff tests at the Aerotime Hub of the Akinchi Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu, northwestern Turkey. report.
Baykar Chief Technology Officer Selcuk Bayraktar said in a video on Twitter:
“Kizirerma successfully completed its first self-driving taxi and take-off roll tests,” he added.
6 kilodan 6 tonnes #KIZILELMA‘nın yolculuğu… ✈️??
trip #KIZILELMA 6 kg to 6 tons…✈️??#Tbt #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi ??? pic.twitter.com/cnGfJzD7bC
— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) November 24, 2022
The Kizirerma was built as a stealthy unmanned combat aircraft with capabilities on par with manned fighters. According to reports, it can carry a payload of 1,500 kilograms (1.7 tons) and can perform air-to-ground and air-to-air missions.
The Kizirerma combat drone has a range of 926 kilometers (575 miles) and can take off and land from ships with short runways. Biker said the combat drone is expected to make its maiden flight in 2023.
Part of Baykar’s Unmanned Fighter System (MIUS) project, the combat drone has a top speed of 900 kilometers (559 miles) per hour and can fly for five hours. report.
Baykar first announced Kizilerma in July 2021. In November 2021, the company will signed a contract Procurement of engines for Ukrainian aircraft engine manufacturer Ivchenko-Progress for unmanned combat aircraft.
Ivchenko-Progress will provide AI-322F engines to Turkey under contract. Baikal said the deal would strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
Igor Kravchenko, general manager of Ivchenko-Progress, said on November 11th: 2021 years.
follow
Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer covering Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.