Turkey is building the fifth-generation TF-X fighter jet as a replacement for the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 which the United States recalled because Ankara bought the S-400 air defense system from Russia.

In addition to realizing the TF-X jet, at the same time Turkey is also developing an armed drone (UCAV) which will become a companion to the TF-X in the future.

The UCAV was named Kizilelma (Red Apple). In Turkish, Kizilelma is often used as a term with another meaning, namely the goal to reach.

The air weapon system that combines stealth fighter jets with an unmanned "loyal wingman" fleet is a breakthrough that has been initiated by Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) by realizing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat .

This concept was then widely developed for fifth and sixth generation fighter jets.

Regarding Kizilelma , recently the Chief Technology Officer [CTO] of Turkish company Bayrak, the maker of the world-famous Bayraktar TB2 drone, posted a photo on his Twitter account.

According to some Turkish media, this is a future prototype production model.

“First photo of Bayraktar Kizilelma painted… first photo of its painted coating,” wrote Selcuk Bayraktar.

According to information circulating, Bayraktar Kizilelma is targeted to premiere in 2023.

The Kızılelma will be powered by a single jet engine capable of supersonic flight.

Later, this UCAV is capable of flying from an aircraft carrier, which means it can take off and land from a short runway.

Kizilelma is projected to be used by the domestic military as well as for the export market.

The company admits that the low radar cross section is one of the most critical issues in the design process for both manned and unmanned fighter jets including the Kızılelma .

The UCAV is designed to use all domestically developed ammunition with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg.

The Kizilelma is designed to stay in the air for 5 hours and fly with a mission radius of up to 500 nm.

The drone will also be equipped with an AESA ( active electronically scanned array ) radar.

It is scheduled, Kizilelma's production can be carried out after the UCAV has passed its 3.5 years of development or around 2027.