Turkey and Italy Test 'Loyal Wingman' Concept with Kizilelma Drone and M-346 Jet

Turkey and Italy have achieved a significant milestone in military aviation by successfully completing the first live-flight test of their "K-SWARM" project, demonstrating a coordinated operation between the Turkish "Kizilelma" unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) and the Italian M-346 light combat aircraft. This achievement signifies Turkey's advancement into the realm of advanced unmanned wingman (CCA) technology.

The test involved the "Kizilelma" UCAV autonomously performing taxiing and takeoff procedures before joining the M-346 formation in flight. Once in formation, the two pilots in the M-346's cockpit took command of the drone's mission through a new avionics system, issuing instructions for formation changes, separation, and re-formation. The UCAV executed all flight maneuvers autonomously under their supervision.

Baykar, the Turkish drone manufacturer, highlighted that the test utilized its proprietary "intelligent swarm self-acting algorithm" and advanced data links for real-time information exchange. The project's core objective is to develop "collaborative unmanned combat teaming" (CUC-T) capabilities, allowing pilots to simultaneously command multiple drones for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy, and strike missions. This significantly enhances battlefield survivability and combat effectiveness, a concept known as CCA in the United States and a key focus in global air force modernization.

The "Kizilelma" UCAV, a flagship project for Turkey, first flew in late 2022. Future iterations are expected to feature the Ukrainian AI-322F turbofan engine, enabling supersonic flight and stealth capabilities. It is envisioned as a crucial unmanned wingman for Turkey's future TF-X Kaan fighter jet. Notably, the "Kizilelma" previously became the world's first UCAV to successfully launch and hit a target with a radar-guided air-to-air missile, the Turkish "Gökdoğan."

Analysts note that currently, only the United States and China have publicly demonstrated mature CUC-T capabilities. This joint Turkish-Italian validation positions Turkey among a select group of nations mastering this technology. With European countries like Germany planning to deploy operational CCA platforms by 2030, and the uncertain future of Europe's Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the demand for combat drones that can operate alongside manned aircraft is rapidly growing. If the "Kizilelma" can form a complete combat system with the Kaan or Hürjet light attack aircraft, Turkey could become one of Europe's few nations offering comprehensive manned-unmanned aerial combat solutions, thereby expanding its military export market competitiveness.