At the Teknofest event held at the end of last month, we learned that engines were supplied from Ukraine for Bayraktar Kızılelma, the new unmanned fighter aircraft produced by Baykar. Today, the integration run test of the first prototype of the aircraft and the Ivchenko AI-21 engine has been completed. So for the first time the engine was fired.
All about Bayraktar Kızılelma: Features, engines and ammunition!
We know that Ukraine has already delivered more than 20 engines for Bayraktar Kızılelma and this process continues without any interruption. Therefore, prototypes and serial production models can be developed according to plan without any engine supply shortages.
This domestic unmanned fighter aircraft will appear with at least 3 prototypes with different capabilities, A, B and C, just like Akıncı. AI-25TLT (16.5 kN) and AI-322F (41 kN), which are AI-25 variants produced by Ivchenko, will be used in these vehicles.
European giant Bayraktar lined up for TB2!
Italy, which is among the greatest powers of NATO, also included Bayraktar TB2 SİHAs among its future plans shared today.
It is stated that 4 prototypes will be produced in total. These will be 1 AI-25TLT Red Apple-A, 1 AI-322F Red Apple-B and 2 AI-322F Red Apple-C. There is a claim that more than 20 engines have been delivered so far.
In addition, there are some studies to return to the domestic engine in the future, just like the Bayraktar TB2 models. In fact, versions of the TEI-TF6000 turbofan engine produced by TEI with thrust power of 6,000 lbf (26.5 kN) and then 10,000 lbf (44.5 kN) will be tested with Kızılelma.
When we look at the first data shared for Bayraktar Kızılelma, we see that a very promising prototype will appear. Because this aircraft will bring with it the artificial intelligence features of TB2 and Akıncı, as well as some innovations that we have seen in the F-16 and F-35. It will also have high maneuverability compared to SİHAs. However, it should be noted that this does not mean that he can do dog fights with F-16s.
It is planned that the first models to be included in the inventory will accelerate to Subsonic, that is, 800+km. In the future, it is quite possible that we will see transonic (1000+ km/h) and supersonic (1200+ km/h) models. In addition, it will be able to land and take off on the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, where the TB3s will also be used, that it will have the AESA radar used in the F-16s, and that it will have a low radar appearance by carrying ammunition in the fuselage like the F-35 (also thanks to the materials and paint used in its construction). Let’s say too.
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Ivchenko AI-25TLT
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TEI-TF6000
Bayraktar KIZILELMA will be able to communicate with new generation warplanes (F-35 and MMU/TFX), unmanned aerial vehicles (such as TB2- Akıncı, Anka and AKSUNGUR) and intelligence units (AWACS aircraft). Therefore, he will be able to move and hit the targets they see as if he sees them himself. Their primary mission will be air-to-land. Of course, it will also carry air-to-air ammunition. However, this feature is expected to be used not against warplanes, but against UAV-SİHA-TİHA and helicopter-like aircraft.
To put it briefly, Bayraktar KIZILELMA (MIUS) will be able to take off with F-16s until the MMU (National Combat Aircraft) is produced, and then with MMUs after it is produced. Sometimes he will take on their costly operations, and sometimes he will go on secret intelligence missions. When deemed necessary, it will be able to destroy all kinds of targets with a wide range of ammunition (14+) it can carry.
For this reason, it is estimated that it will be a better alternative to F-16s and F-35s than Akıncı and Hürjet in many air-to-ground scenarios. However, it seems that they will not be able to replace them in air-to-air missions, at least for now. Of course, if transonic and supersonic models are developed, it can push the limits known with the experience gained until then.
What do you think about this subject? Don’t forget to share your views with us in the comments!