Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program in 2019, for its decision to procure Russian S-400 air defense systems. However. Turkey has now created a combat unmanned aerial vehicle that, in the opinion of some officials, could outperform the F-35.
the Chief Technical Officer of Turkey’s popular drone manufacturer Baykar Makina, Selcuk Bayraktar, said. Turkey’s Kizilelma supersonic unmanned fighter jet would outperform the American F-35, and will be a challenge to fifth-generation classical aviation. Russian media widely reported the statement.
We plan to produce a supersonic version of an unmanned fighter. KIZILELMA will revolutionize aviation. it can be used in aerial combat against classic combat aircraft.
Perhaps, after the drone’s first flight, it would be wrong to compare it with aircraft used in many countries, but when it is fully ready, it will surpass the same F-35 in several respects, Bayraktar said.
the statement comes days after Turkey conducted the maiden flight of the brand-new KIZILELMA on December 14.
The statement made by Selcuk Bayraktar is symbolically significant, as Turkey was an early participant in the F-35 program, and contributed financially to the aircraft’s development.
It was supposed to buy 100 F-35A models. However. a decision by Ankara to purchase the Russian S-400 air defense system triggered fears that the Russian system might be used to acquire information about the F-35 for Moscow. Turkey, thus, was expelled.
Turkey has notified on several occasions, it remained invested in talks with the United States for reviving the F-35 deal.
However. last year, the House Armed Services Committee chairman said that Turkey was not returning to the consortium. The clarification put to rest all speculations regarding welcoming Turkey back into the F-35 program, which, some believed, would encourage the NATO country to accept Sweden and Finland’s entry into the alliance.
Currently. Turkey is developing its fifth-generation fighter jet, codenamed TF-X, which will replace the aging F-16 fighters in its fleet. On January, the Turkish Defense Agency published a photo showing the progress of the prototype, which is expected to be unveiled in March this year.
It is, thus, intriguing that Selcuk Bayraktar compared an unmanned next-generation aircraft with a fully manned fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35.
The National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System, codenamed KIZILELMA, is an incredibly important and strategic project by Baykar, whose combat drones have already garnered a lot of interest across the globe.
Turkish drones like TB2, have already proved their combat prowess in Ukraine and Azerbaijan conflicts, creating even more interest in the next-gen KIZILELMA.
According to the manufacturer. the unmanned fighter jet is expected to carry out a wide range of military operations. including close air support, missile offensives, suppression of enemy air defenses , and destruction of enemy air defenses.
In contrast. the F-35, manufactured by American defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation manned aircraft with advanced stealth characteristics. It is a multi-role fighter capable of successfully executing SEAD-DEAD operations. strategic attacks, Close Air Support, Air Superiority, ISR, and Electronic Warfare, to name just a few.
The Turkish KIZILELMA unmanned aircraft is anticipated to fly for five hours, and travel at speeds of up to 800 kilometers per hour, or a speed of Mach 0.64. With a maximum take-off weight of 6 tons, the drone is planned to have a 1500-kilogram payload capacity. According to the manufacturer, a supersonic aircraft variant will also be developed.
With a top speed of Mach 1.6, the F-35 is a long-range, supersonic fighter, even with a full complement of internal weapons and fuel. The aircraft has a very low radar signature and the capability to carry weapons in the internal carriage as well as externally.
The Turkish drone appears to be very promising. For instance. according to Baykar, KIZILELMA will be managed by a satellite using the SATCOM antenna. It is propelled by Ivchenko-Progress of Ukraine’s AI-322F turbofan engines.
The aircraft will be equipped with Aselsan-built AESA radar, and be able to fire domestic Bozdogan and Gokdogan air-to-air missiles.
The future unmanned aircraft will be fitted with Roketsan-made MAM family guided bombs for small attack missions, and SOM-J cruise missiles with a range of more than 250 kilometers for surface warfare.
The drone has been built to land and take off on short runway, because it is anticipated to be carrier-capable. The TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, which is now performing cruise tests, will eventually serve as its operational base.
