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AKINCI and KIZILELMA UAVs’ autonomous flight in close formation marks a Turkish first

2nd May 2023 - 12:00 GMT | by Tayfun Özberk in Istanbul

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Bayraktar Kızılelma reached a speed of 630 kph (390 mph) in the tests. (Photo: Baykar)

On April 24, 2023, Turkish uncrewed fighter jet KIZILELMA and an AKINCI conducted an autonomous flight in close formation as part of KIZILELMA’s ongoing flight tests.

Selcuk Bayraktar, the Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of Baykar Tech., touted the flight as a first in world aviation history.

'Today, for the first time in world aviation history, 2 UCAVs flew in close formation autonomously.' said Bayraktar on Twitter.

Bayraktar Kızılelma reached a speed of 630 kph (390 mph) in these tests.

Speaking to Shephard, Arda Mevlutoglu, a defence and aviation expert in Turkiye, emphasized the technology and engineering infrastructure of two uncrewed assets conducted flight together.

'KIZILELMA and AKINCI flying in formation in full autonomous mode is a significant milestone in [the] Turkish aerospace sector, because

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Author

Tayfun Özberk

Tayfun Ozberk is a former naval officer who is an expert in surface warfare, particularly …

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