Baykar and Leonardo Conduct Historic Joint Flight Test

Baykar, a Turkish defense and aviation company, and Italian firm Leonardo have tested the capability of manned and unmanned combat aircraft to operate together. In a briefing at the Farnborough Airshow, the two companies shared details of joint flight tests conducted last month with the international public. These tests are considered a significant milestone in the development of manned-unmanned teaming and swarm tactics under the K-SWARM program. The tests took place in May at Baykar's flight and test center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ. Participants included Leonardo's M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, the Italian Air Force's T-346A chase aircraft, and Baykar's Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft. The flights utilized next-generation algorithms developed in Leonardo's laboratories in Turin and Baykar's Smart Fleet Autonomy capabilities. After fully autonomous taxi and takeoff, KIZILELMA autonomously joined the M-346 and precisely executed the pilot's commands. Under the program, all data between the two aircraft was synchronized via an advanced radio frequency-based data sharing system. Communication was protected in real time by Leonardo's GCC Tactical Platform cyber defense system. The tests successfully executed operations such as different formation maneuvers, separation, and rejoining. These efforts represent a transition from simulation environments to real flight operations, forming a fundamental building block for future air combat systems. The data and analyses obtained played a critical role in determining the next phases of the K-SWARM program. In the program's next phase, plans call for moving to more complex operations requiring higher situational awareness, where multiple platforms will act together toward a single mission. New tests involving more complex scenarios and additional functions are expected in the coming months. The initial test phase demonstrated the strong partnership between Baykar and Leonardo, as well as the technological and industrial capabilities of both companies. This collaboration is seen as a concrete step toward developing critical capabilities for modern air combat operations in multi-domain operational environments. This is not investment advice.