Jet-powered Turkish combat drone drops guided bombs in live-fire tests

Turkish defense company Baykar has successfully completed live-fire trials of its Bayraktar Kızılelma, a jet-powered unmanned fighter jet designed to operate alongside manned aircraft. During these tests, the drone deployed precision-guided bombs, specifically the ASELSAN LGK-82 laser guidance kit and the ROKETSAN TEBER-82 guidance kit, both of which convert conventional bombs into smart munitions with high accuracy and extended standoff capabilities. The trials confirmed the Kızılelma’s air-to-ground strike capability, demonstrating accurate weapon release during flight. The Bayraktar Kızılelma is notable for its advanced specifications, including a length of 47.5 feet, a wingspan of 32 feet, a top speed of Mach 0.9, and an operational ceiling of 45,000 feet. It offers a combat radius of 500 nautical miles and endurance exceeding three hours. Unlike earlier propeller-driven drones, the Kızılelma provides