The Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma, also known as the “Red Apple,” is an unmanned fighter aircraft currently under development by Turkish defense company Baykar. The jet took off for the first time on Dec. 14.
The airframe of the Kızılelma features a canards-delta configuration, which is similar to that of the Chinese Chengdu J-20 fighter. This type of configuration, which is also known as a “delta-canard,” combines the benefits of both delta wings and canard foreplanes. Delta wings are characterized by their triangular shape and are known for their high lift and low drag properties, making them well-suited for supersonic flight. Canard foreplanes, on the other hand, are small winglets located near the nose of the aircraft that help to improve stability and control. The combination of these two wing types allows the Kızılelma to achieve high maneuverability and agility while also maintaining good stability and low drag.