The K-SWARM program, jointly developed by Turkish defense company Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo, has successfully completed a critical phase in which manned and unmanned aerial platforms can operate together. The joint autonomous formation flight carried out by the Bayraktar KIZILELMA and the Leonardo M-346 marked a significant milestone for the future of air combat concepts.
Historic Achievement by Baykar and Leonardo: KIZILELMA and M-346 Complete Their First Joint Autonomous Flight
A major milestone was achieved in the K-SWARM program jointly conducted by Türkiye’s leading defense company Baykar and Italy-based Leonardo. During tests carried out at the Baykar Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft and the Leonardo M-346 trainer and light attack aircraft successfully completed a joint autonomous formation flight. The trials conducted under real operational scenarios demonstrated the coordinated mission capability of manned and unmanned platforms.
Critical Milestone Reached in the K-SWARM Program
During live tests conducted at the Baykar Test Center, next-generation artificial intelligence-supported algorithms developed under the K-SWARM program were used to validate the coordinated operational capabilities of manned and unmanned aerial platforms.
In real flight conditions, the platforms successfully demonstrated joint mission planning, formation management, and coordinated operational capabilities. As a result, technologies developed in the simulation environment were successfully validated under real operational conditions.
Digital Engineering Brought into Real Operations
Thanks to the digital engineering approach implemented within the program, the software and control systems developed were successfully transferred from the simulation environment to real flight testing.
The advanced algorithms used during the live tests enabled the platforms to operate together with high precision while also providing an important reference for the future of network-centric air combat concepts.
MUM-T and Swarm Technologies Are Shaping the Future of Air Combat
The Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) concept validated during the tests enables manned and unmanned aerial platforms to operate simultaneously within the same mission.
In addition, Swarm technologies allow multiple platforms to perform coordinated missions from a single control center, significantly increasing operational effectiveness in modern air combat.
Experts point out that these capabilities will play a decisive role in the future doctrines of air forces.
KIZILELMA and M-346 on the Same Mission
Baykar’s jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, and Leonardo’s M-346 platform demonstrated a significant achievement in implementing the “Loyal Wingman” concept.
The ability of the two platforms to perform joint missions is regarded as one of the concrete examples of the next-generation air combat concept in which manned fighter aircraft operate together with unmanned systems.
LBA Systems Partnership Targets the Global Market
The K-SWARM program is being carried out under LBA Systems, the joint venture established by Baykar and Leonardo.
The technologies developed under the program are intended to provide NATO-compliant solutions and possess strong export potential in the international market. The partnership also aims to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in unmanned aerial systems while reinforcing Türkiye’s position in defense industry exports.
A New Era in Manned-Unmanned Integration
The successful joint autonomous flight stands out as one of the most significant real-world demonstrations of next-generation operational concepts in which manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operate together.
The successful tests completed by KIZILELMA and the M-346 are regarded as a critical step in the maturation of technologies that will form the foundation of far more advanced air operations in the future.
