Turkey’s Kizilelma drone has just completed taxi and takeoff run tests in preparation for its first flight, a significant move in actualizing its drone carrier concept and possibly augmenting its indigenous 5th generation fighter program.
Turkish drone maker Baykar unveiled a video of its Kizilelma drone performing taxi and takeoff run tests at the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center at Corlu, in northwestern Turkey, as reported by Aerotime Hub this week. Defense publication Janes notes that these tests are crucial for the Kizilelma’s first flight, which is anticipated in 2023.
“Our goal was to run at slightly slower speeds in the first takeoff roll test, but we exceeded the limit. Thanks to God, Kizilelma completed the first autonomous taxi and takeoff test,” said Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar chairman of the board and chief technology officer in Baykar’s video.
