ISTANBUL — Turkey’s fifth prototype of the Kızılelma unmanned aircraft scored a direct hit on an aerial target with a beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile, according to an announcement by manufacturer Baykar and the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The Nov. 29 test, off the coast of Sinop in the Black Sea, included the strike drone, fitted with Aselsan-made sensors and electronics, and a TÜBİTAK SAGE-made Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, according to the statement.

It marked the first time that the jet-engined Kızılelma has successfully engaged an aerial target beyond visual range.

According to information shared by Baykar, five F-16 fighter jets departing from the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon flew in formation with Kızılelma, demonstrating future air combat concepts through manned–

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