Turkey’s next-generation stealth combat drone, KIZILELMA, has successfully completed its first live bombing test, marking a significant milestone in the country’s rapidly expanding unmanned aerospace program. During the March 15, 2026 test, the Baykar-developed unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) conducted precision strikes by releasing two ASELSAN LGK-82 laser-guided bombs, demonstrating its ability to deliver accurate payloads totaling approximately 270 kilograms.

Video footage from the test shows the drone taking off, acquiring targets, and executing the bombing sequence before the guided munitions impacted designated ground objectives. The successful strike confirms the aircraft’s integration with advanced targeting systems and highlights the growing sophistication of Turkey’s domestically produced drone technology.

Development of KIZILELMA began in 2021 as part of Ankara’s broader effort to expand its indigenous defense industry and reduce reliance on foreign military technology. The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2022 and has since undergone a series of developmental trials focused on avionics, propulsion, and weapons integration. With projected speeds approaching Mach 0.9 and a design emphasizing reduced radar visibility, the platform is intended to operate in higher-threat environments than earlier Turkish drones.