Turkish Kızılelma UAV Makes History With First BVR Air-to-Air Kill

Kızılelma UAV Executes World’s First BVR Kill, Redefining Future Air Combat

Türkiye has achieved a landmark breakthrough in military aviation, becoming the first nation to conduct a successful beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air engagement using an uncrewed combat aircraft . The Bayraktar Kızılelma UAV , developed by Baykar, intercepted and destroyed a jet-powered aerial target using an indigenous BVR missile—an achievement that signals a dramatic shift in air warfare capability and the global UAV landscape.

Historic Test Establishes First Verified UAV BVR Kill

During the demonstration, Kızılelma autonomously detected, locked onto and tracked the target using the MURAD AESA radar , before firing a GÖKDOĞAN BVR air-to-air missile , which successfully neutralised the aircraft. Baykar officials confirmed that this is the first documented instance of a UAV engaging and downing another aircraft at long range, validating the platform’s role as an uncrewed fighter rather than a reconnaissance drone.

Indigenous Combat Systems Drive Breakthrough

The jet-powered UAV is equipped with low-observable features, long-range sensors and AI-supported combat systems. Along with MURAD radar, it integrates the TOYGUN targeting system and has previously demonstrated precision-strike capability with TOLUN and TEBER-82 smart munitions. The success positions Türkiye as one of the few global powers fielding operational uncrewed fighter technology.

Manned–Unmanned Teaming Demonstrated

Five F-16 Falcons participated alongside Kızılelma during live trials, showcasing joint autonomous-and-piloted mission execution—an operational model expected to dominate future combat doctrines.

Exam-Oriented Key Points

• Kızılelma is the world’s first UAV to perform a confirmed BVR air-to-air kill

• Missile used: GÖKDOĞAN , radar guidance via MURAD AESA

• Türkiye’s first jet-powered UCAV capable of fighter-class engagement

• Demonstration included manned-unmanned teaming with F-16s

Strategic Impact & Future Outlook

Defence analysts believe this milestone will accelerate adoption of autonomous air combat fleets worldwide. With verified long-range engagement capability, UAVs like Kızılelma may soon operate as air-superiority assets—reducing pilot risk, expanding mission endurance and redefining tactical dominance.