Italian M-346 and Turkish KIZILELMA Drone Complete First K-SWARM Teaming Trials
Leonardo and Baykar successfully completed the first live K-SWARM crewed-uncrewed teaming trials at Baykar’s Çorlu flight centre in Turkey. An Italian M-346 jet flew alongside and controlled a Turkish Bayraktar KIZILELMA drone in autonomous formations, validating Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms and advanced RF data exchange. The milestone advances NATO combat air systems development, linking to programmes like GCAP and the US Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative. Further complex tests are planned.
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Leonardo and Baykar Complete Initial K-SWARM Live Flight Tests in Turkey
Leonardo and Baykar have completed the initial phase of live flight testing for the K-SWARM programme at Baykar's flight and test center in Çorlu, Turkey, in May 2025. The tests aimed to enhance coordination between crewed and uncrewed aircraft for future combat air systems. A Leonardo-owned M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, accompanied by an Italian Air Force T-346A chase aircraft, operated with Baykar's Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter. Key objectives included validating new algorithms, operational tactics, and procedures. The KIZILELMA autonomously responded to commands from the M-346 cockpit via a specialized crewed/uncrewed computing system and a protected data exchange platform. Various formations and maneuvers were tested, including position changes, separations, and rejoins. Data from these flights will inform more complex collaborative operations, aiming to expand uncrewed system autonomy while retaining pilot control over mission-critical decisions. Further testing with additional capabilities is planned.
Airforce TechnologyLeonardo and Baykar Complete Initial K-SWARM Live Flight Tests in Türkiye
Leonardo and Baykar have successfully completed the initial phase of live flight testing for the K-SWARM programme at Baykar's flight and test centre in Çorlu, Türkiye, in May. The tests involved a Leonardo-owned M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, an Italian Air Force T-346A chase aircraft, and Baykar's Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter. The primary objective was to validate new algorithms, operational tactics, and procedures for coordinating crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Key achievements included autonomous taxi, take-off, and formation flying by the KIZILELMA in response to commands from the M-346 cockpit. A data exchange system protected by Leonardo's GCC Tactical Platform ensured secure, real-time cyber defence monitoring and coordination. Mission scenarios tested included position changes, separations, and rejoins. Data from these flights will inform more complex collaborative operations in future stages, aiming to expand uncrewed autonomy while maintaining pilot control over critical decisions.
Airforce TechnologyLeonardo and Baykar Complete Initial K-SWARM Live Flight Tests in Turkey
Leonardo and Baykar have successfully completed the initial phase of live flight testing for the K-SWARM programme, aimed at enhancing coordination between crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The tests occurred in May at Baykar's flight and test centre in Çorlu, Turkey, featuring a Leonardo-owned M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, an Italian Air Force T-346A chase aircraft, and Baykar's Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter. The main objective was to validate new algorithms, operational tactics, and procedures. A specialist data exchange system, protected by Leonardo's GCC Tactical Platform, ensured secure synchronised data sharing. The KIZILELMA autonomously responded to commands from the M-346, performing formation changes, separations, and rejoins. Data from these flights will inform next stages focusing on more complex collaborative operations and expanded autonomy. The programme is part of a 50-50 joint venture established in June 2024 between Leonardo and Baykar Technologies.
Airforce TechnologyLeonardo and Baykar Achieve In-Flight Control of Kizilelma Drone by M-346 Jet Trainer
An Italian M-346 jet trainer, operated by Leonardo, successfully controlled a Baykar Kizilelma drone in flight during a loyal wingman trial in Turkey. The test took place at Baykar's flight test center in Çorlu, following a cooperation deal signed in 2025. The Kizilelma performed an autonomous taxi and take-off, then autonomously linked to the M-346 via an advanced radio frequency data exchange system. During the trial, the two aircraft executed missions to test algorithms, tactics, and procedures developed by Leonardo. The companies hailed the event as a major milestone in Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) and swarm tactics. Leonardo plans to use these capabilities for the GCAP fighter program, which envisions Loyal Wingman drones. The article also notes the termination of the rival FCAS Next Generation Fighter component in June 2026 due to Franco-German disagreements.
Defense NewsTurkey’s Kizilelma Drone Teams with M-346 Fighter-Trainer in Autonomy Trials
Turkey's Baykar and Italy's Leonardo announced the successful completion of the first live K-SWARM crewed-uncrewed teaming trials. The tests, held at Baykar's facility in Çorlu, Turkey, involved Baykar's Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and Leonardo's M-346 Fighter Attack variant. The Kizilelma autonomously taxied, took off, and joined formation with the M-346, after which a two-person crew in the jet took control using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms and a new avionics suite. The drone executed various maneuvers (position changes, separations, rejoins) autonomously based on pilot commands, using an advanced radio-frequency data exchange system. The trials build on earlier simulations and position Turkey among a small group of nations flight-testing collaborative combat aircraft. The Kizilelma, a fighter-like supersonic UCAV with reduced-observable features, is intended as a drone companion to Turkey's TF Kaan crewed fighter. Further K-SWARM tests with added complexity are planned in the coming months.
The War ZoneItalian Jets and Turkish Drones Complete First Live K-SWARM Autonomous Formation Trials
Leonardo and Baykar have successfully completed the first phase of live testing for their K-SWARM programme, flying Italian M-346 jets alongside the Turkish-built Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter in autonomous formations over Turkey. The trials, conducted in May at Baykar's flight and test centre in Çorlu, mark a transition from simulation to real-world operations. The KIZILELMA performed autonomous taxi, take-off, and rejoined the M-346 using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms. The crewed aircraft then assumed full control, commanding formation changes, separations, and rejoins via a newly developed onboard avionic suite and advanced radio frequency data exchange system protected by Leonardo's GCC Tactical Platform. The programme aims to develop interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft, a central concept for future combat air systems pursued by NATO and allied air forces, including the US Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, UK's Global Combat Air Programme, and the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System.
UK Defence JournalItalian M-346 jets and Turkish KIZILELMA drone complete first live K-SWARM trials
Leonardo and Baykar have completed the first live testing phase of their K-SWARM programme, flying Italian M-346 jets alongside the Turkish-built Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter in autonomous formations over Turkey. The trials, held in May at Baykar’s Çorlu flight centre, validated next-generation algorithms for crewed-uncrewed teaming (MUM-T). The KIZILELMA autonomously taxied, took off, and rejoined the M-346, which then assumed full control of the drone. The M-346 pilot commanded formations including position changes, separations, and rejoins, synchronized by an advanced RF data exchange system protected by Leonardo’s GCC cyber defence system. The milestone positions the programme as a key enabler for future NATO combat air systems, joining similar efforts like the US Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme and the Global Combat Air Programme. The M-346 and KIZILELMA pairing allows affordable maturation of MUM-T concepts before scaling to high-end fighters.
UK Defence JournalItalian M-346 Jets and Turkish KIZILELMA Drone Complete First Phase of K-SWARM Live Trial
Leonardo and Baykar successfully completed the first phase of live testing for their K-SWARM programme in May 2025 at Baykar's flight test center in Çorlu, Turkey. The trials involved two Italian M-346 jets and the Turkish-built Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed combat aircraft flying joint autonomous formations. The KIZILELMA performed autonomous taxi, take-off, and rejoined the M-346 using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms. M-346 pilots then controlled the drone through formation changes, separations, and rejoins via an advanced avionic suite and encrypted data link. The programme aims to develop crewed-uncrewed teaming (MUM-T) capabilities, a key enabler for future combat air systems across NATO and allied air forces. The companies view this as a major milestone before scaling to higher-end fighters, leveraging relatively affordable platforms like the M-346 and KIZILELMA.
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