Bayraktar Kızılelma | |
---|---|
Bayraktar Kızılelma at Teknofest 2023 in Istanbul [1] | |
Role | Multirole unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
National origin | Turkey |
Manufacturer | Baykar |
First flight | 14 December 2022 [2] [3] |
Introduction | 2024 (expected) |
Status | Flight tests in progress |
Primary user | Turkish Armed Forces |
Number built | 2 prototypes |
The Bayraktar Kızılelma ( English: Red Apple) is a single-engine, low-observable, [4] carrier-capable, [5] [6] [7] jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle, currently in development by Turkish defense company Baykar. [8] [5] The aircraft is being developed as part of Project MIUS ( Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi; English: Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System). The initial Bayraktar Kızılelma (Kızılelma-A) is subsonic. Planned variants (Kızılelma-B and Kızılelma-C) are intended to be supersonic, the latter having a twin-engined configuration. [9] It is one of the two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAV along with TAI Anka-3.
Baykar CTO Selçuk Bayraktar had initially announced that the Kızılelma was expected to make its maiden flight in 2023, [4] adding that a jet-powered UCAV was a "12-year-long dream". [10] The Kızılelma was able to complete its first flight ahead of the expected date, in December 2022. [2] [3]
The first conceptual studies for Bayraktar MIUS started in 2013. In July 2021, the first design images and information about the characteristics of the aircraft were shared with the public.
The AI-322 Turbofan Engine Supply Agreement and AI-25TLT Turbofan Engine Integration Agreement were signed between Baykar and Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress at the SahaExpo event in November 2021. The first prototypes will go at subsonic speeds using AI-25TLT engines. The next prototypes are expected to be supersonic with AI-322F engines.
The project was initially known as MIUS ( Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi English: Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System). Its official name, Kızılelma (Red Apple in Turkish, was made public in March 2022.
On the same day of the name disclosure, Selçuk Bayraktar revealed that the first Kızılelma prototype has entered the assembly line. [11] [12] The first ready-to-fly prototype was displayed to the public in Teknofest 2022. [13]
The Kızılelma is an unmanned aircraft featuring a low- RCS supersonic airframe equipped with an AESA radar. [28] The aircraft is powered by a turbofan engine fed by two air inlets. Yaw control is achieved with two vertical stabilizers. The aircraft has coupled-canard controls for increased maneuverability or better controlling the main wing airflow. Internal compartments will allow the aircraft to operate in contested environments while sustaining low observability. [29] [4]
The aerodynamic controls feature canards- delta configuration, previously seen on certain stealth aircraft such as the Chengdu J-20 and the AVIC Dark Sword, and non-stealth aircraft such as the Saab Viggen and Saab Gripen. The canards offer a trade-off between relatively less stealth but great maneuverability. Some control measures could be implemented to reduce its impact on radar signature. [30]
The Kızılelma has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 6,000 kilograms (13,200 lb), with 1,500 kg of weight available for the payload. According to data shared by the company, the Kızılelma will have an operational altitude of 35,000 feet (10,670 m).
The aircraft is designed in a way that makes it capable to takeoff and land on an amphibious assault ship, such as the TCG Anadolu, without any need for a catapult system. [23] [31] [7] [6]
During Teknofest 2022, Baykar announced that there will be at least 3 variants of Kızılelma with different engine configurations. The engines are produced by the Turkish-Ukrainian joint venture Black Sea Shield. [32] [33] [34] Kızılelma-A will be capable of near-supersonic speeds, being powered by the AI-25TLT engine. Kızılelma-B will fly at supersonic speeds, powered by a single Ukrainian AI-322F engine. [35] [36] The Kızılelma-C will incorporate two AI-322F engines.
While there are expectations to make use of Turkish-made Tusaş Engine Industries TF6000 turbofan engines in the future, nothing has been confirmed so far.
Data from Baykar Technology
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Other UCAVs of Turkey
China :
USA :
Australia :
India :
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cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
Bayraktar Kızılelma | |
---|---|
Bayraktar Kızılelma at Teknofest 2023 in Istanbul [1] | |
Role | Multirole unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
National origin | Turkey |
Manufacturer | Baykar |
First flight | 14 December 2022 [2] [3] |
Introduction | 2024 (expected) |
Status | Flight tests in progress |
Primary user | Turkish Armed Forces |
Number built | 2 prototypes |
The Bayraktar Kızılelma ( English: Red Apple) is a single-engine, low-observable, [4] carrier-capable, [5] [6] [7] jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle, currently in development by Turkish defense company Baykar. [8] [5] The aircraft is being developed as part of Project MIUS ( Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi; English: Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System). The initial Bayraktar Kızılelma (Kızılelma-A) is subsonic. Planned variants (Kızılelma-B and Kızılelma-C) are intended to be supersonic, the latter having a twin-engined configuration. [9] It is one of the two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAV along with TAI Anka-3.
Baykar CTO Selçuk Bayraktar had initially announced that the Kızılelma was expected to make its maiden flight in 2023, [4] adding that a jet-powered UCAV was a "12-year-long dream". [10] The Kızılelma was able to complete its first flight ahead of the expected date, in December 2022. [2] [3]
The first conceptual studies for Bayraktar MIUS started in 2013. In July 2021, the first design images and information about the characteristics of the aircraft were shared with the public.
The AI-322 Turbofan Engine Supply Agreement and AI-25TLT Turbofan Engine Integration Agreement were signed between Baykar and Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress at the SahaExpo event in November 2021. The first prototypes will go at subsonic speeds using AI-25TLT engines. The next prototypes are expected to be supersonic with AI-322F engines.
The project was initially known as MIUS ( Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi English: Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System). Its official name, Kızılelma (Red Apple in Turkish, was made public in March 2022.
On the same day of the name disclosure, Selçuk Bayraktar revealed that the first Kızılelma prototype has entered the assembly line. [11] [12] The first ready-to-fly prototype was displayed to the public in Teknofest 2022. [13]
The Kızılelma is an unmanned aircraft featuring a low- RCS supersonic airframe equipped with an AESA radar. [28] The aircraft is powered by a turbofan engine fed by two air inlets. Yaw control is achieved with two vertical stabilizers. The aircraft has coupled-canard controls for increased maneuverability or better controlling the main wing airflow. Internal compartments will allow the aircraft to operate in contested environments while sustaining low observability. [29] [4]
The aerodynamic controls feature canards- delta configuration, previously seen on certain stealth aircraft such as the Chengdu J-20 and the AVIC Dark Sword, and non-stealth aircraft such as the Saab Viggen and Saab Gripen. The canards offer a trade-off between relatively less stealth but great maneuverability. Some control measures could be implemented to reduce its impact on radar signature. [30]
The Kızılelma has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 6,000 kilograms (13,200 lb), with 1,500 kg of weight available for the payload. According to data shared by the company, the Kızılelma will have an operational altitude of 35,000 feet (10,670 m).
The aircraft is designed in a way that makes it capable to takeoff and land on an amphibious assault ship, such as the TCG Anadolu, without any need for a catapult system. [23] [31] [7] [6]
During Teknofest 2022, Baykar announced that there will be at least 3 variants of Kızılelma with different engine configurations. The engines are produced by the Turkish-Ukrainian joint venture Black Sea Shield. [32] [33] [34] Kızılelma-A will be capable of near-supersonic speeds, being powered by the AI-25TLT engine. Kızılelma-B will fly at supersonic speeds, powered by a single Ukrainian AI-322F engine. [35] [36] The Kızılelma-C will incorporate two AI-322F engines.
While there are expectations to make use of Turkish-made Tusaş Engine Industries TF6000 turbofan engines in the future, nothing has been confirmed so far.
Data from Baykar Technology
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Other UCAVs of Turkey
China :
USA :
Australia :
India :
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)