Bayraktar KIZILELMA has reached a significant milestone in its avionics integration program. ASELSAN’s MURAD-100 AESA radar successfully completed its performance tests during flight, demonstrating active operation for the first time.
Footage from the test flight captured the aircraft’s takeoff, flight sequences, and radar screen reflections at the Ground Control Station (GCS). During the test, closely monitored by operators, multiple air targets appeared on the radar interface, identified by square and diamond symbols. A lower display showed KIZILELMA’s 3D model and telemetry data, confirming successful data integration between radar and avionics systems.
First Flight with National AESA Radar
This test marks KIZILELMA’s first flight equipped with an indigenous AESA radar, a critical step toward full operational capability. Experts note that following integration, the system will undergo intensive multi-scenario testing to optimize performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The test is also believed to include the first in-flight trials of ASELSAN’s TOYGUN Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). Designed for low-observability platforms such as KAAN and KIZILELMA, TOYGUN is integrated within the fuselage rather than in an external pod, reducing the aircraft’s radar cross-section (RCS) and maintaining its stealth characteristics.
MURAD-100 AESA Radar: Technical Overview
The ASELSAN MURAD-100-A is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar featuring Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. It supports simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, with an air target detection range of approximately 200 km. The radar provides enhanced situational awareness through multi-target tracking, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping, and ground moving target indication (GMTI) capabilities.
With electronic beam steering and high jamming resistance, the MURAD-100 enables Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile guidance — allowing KIZILELMA to engage targets without direct visual contact.
Integration into Next-Generation Platforms
The MURAD-100 radar is being integrated not only into KIZILELMA but also across multiple Turkish defense platforms, including:
- F-16 Özgür modernization program
- Bayraktar AKINCI UAV
- TUSAŞ ANKA-3 stealth UAV
- HÜRJET advanced trainer/light attack aircraft
- National Combat Aircraft (MMU) KAAN
This common radar architecture ensures interoperability, cost efficiency in production, maintenance, and training, and streamlined tactical data sharing across Türkiye’s aerial platforms.
