Turkish Drone Becomes First in the World to Destroy a Supersonic Target Beyond Visual Range
Türkiye’s unmanned combat aircraft KIZILELMA has made aviation history by becoming the first drone to shoot down a supersonic jet target from beyond visual range, Anadolu Agency reported.
The test took place near the city of Sinop, where the drone detected the high-speed target using its onboard AESA radar and launched a long-range domestically produced air-to-air missile. The missile successfully struck and destroyed the target.
Until now, no unmanned platform globally had demonstrated the ability to engage airborne targets, as most military drones are designed primarily for ground-strike missions.
The trial marked the first time a fully national “radar–missile–unmanned carrier” system executed an air-combat mission.
Thanks to its low radar signature and advanced sensor suite, KIZILELMA can identify and neutralize threats from extended distances before being detected itself.
Five Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base supported the test mission.
