MURAD 100‑A radar KIZILELMA first flight

Aselsan’s MURAD 100‑A radar KIZILELMA first flight took place on 21 October 2025, as the company flew its active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire‑control radar on Baykar’s carrier‑capable unmanned fighter for the first time. The milestone pushes the UCAV toward sensor‑led air‑combat roles with indigenous BVR capability, multi‑target tracking, and concurrent air‑to‑air/air‑to‑ground tasking. Independent trade coverage has tracked the AESA integration (FlightGlobal), while related industrial cooperation continues (Baykar–Leonardo JV: LBA Systems) and Türkiye’s broader showcase approaches (SAHA 2026). The MURAD 100‑A radar KIZILELMA integration signals a step toward operational deployment across crewed and uncrewed fleets.

Key Facts

• Date: 21 October 2025 (first radar flight on KIZILELMA)
• Platform: Bayraktar KIZILELMA (single‑engine, low‑observable, carrier‑capable UCAV)
• Sensor: Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA fire‑control radar
• Tasks demonstrated: Multi‑target detection/tracking, BVR guidance, concurrent A2A/A2G tasking
• Prior integrations: AKINCI (first flight February 2025), F‑16 ÖZGÜR upgrade path, HÜRJET (planned)
• Location context: Officials briefed in Ankara on 21 October 2025
• Significance: Confirms cross‑platform adaptability and readiness for operational deployment

MURAD 100‑A radar KIZILELMA — context and new development

Aselsan confirmed that MURAD 100‑A completed its first flight on Bayraktar KIZILELMA on 21 October 2025, following earlier integration on the Bayraktar AKINCI (first flight with MURAD in February 2025). Trade press and official reporting underline the step as “game‑changing,” enabling simultaneous multi‑target detection, tracking, and missile guidance. Some coverage referenced “110‑A,” but primary reporting and agency copy specify 100‑A for this flight. [1][2][3]

For Baykar’s KIZILELMA test programme—already progressing weapons releases with ASELSAN TOLUN and Roketsan TEBER‑82—the radar flight marks the transition from weapons‑carriage trials to sensor‑led air combat. Serial production is underway with deliveries planned from 2026. [2]

Technical and operational effects

AESA baseline. MURAD 100‑A uses gallium nitride (GaN) power amplification, agile electronic beam steering, and sub‑array digital beam forming. This architecture allows the radar to search while tracking and supporting weapon guidance—the cornerstone of modern BVR tactics. [1]

Multi‑role concurrency. The radar’s time‑interleaved operation enables concurrent air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground tasks, helping a single UCAV prosecute surface targets while maintaining an air picture—vital in dense, contested airspace. [1][2]

Cross‑platform commonality. By flying on AKINCI, now on KIZILELMA, and slated for F‑16 ÖZGÜR and HÜRJET, MURAD builds a common sensor layer across uncrewed and crewed fleets, simplifying tactics, training, and sustainment. [1][4][5]

Benchmarking against peers. The UK’s ECRS Mk2 for Eurofighter Typhoon—a leading European AESA with embedded electronic‑attack functions—illustrates the broader trend: AESA is becoming the sensor and EW spine of frontline combat air. Türkiye’s MURAD sits within that global shift, adapted to both UCAVs and legacy fighters. [6][7]

Programme and schedule for MURAD 100‑A radar KIZILELMA

• 2024–Feb 2025: MURAD 100‑A software/hardware integration and first flight on AKINCI; multi‑target tracking validated in March 2025. [4]
• 8 October 2025: KIZILELMA releases TOLUN and TEBER‑82 munitions during trials. [2]
• 21 October 2025: First KIZILELMA sortie carrying MURAD 100‑A. [1][2][3]
• From 2026: Baykar targets initial KIZILELMA deliveries; MURAD maturation continues across platforms. [2]

Assessment (risks, alternatives, debate)

Variant clarity. At least one outlet labelled the radar “MURAD 110‑A,” but primary reports (Anadolu Agency, FlightGlobal, EDR) identify the unit flown as 100‑A. Expect Aselsan to clarify variant naming as the family scales (e.g., future blocks tuned for low‑probability‑of‑intercept profiles or platform‑specific antennas). [1][2][3][8]

Integration debt. UCAV nose volume, cooling, power, and antenna radome transparency all shape AESA performance. Sustained reliability under carrier ops (launch/landing loads, sea salt environment) remains a test objective for a “runway‑optional” concept.

EW contest. KIZILELMA’s survivability will depend on radar LPI modes, ECCM, and how well MURAD teams with ESM/EA payloads. Here, European progress on ECRS Mk2 (airborne electronic attack, SEAD/DEAD support) is the comparator to watch. [6][7]

Industrial impact. Indigenous AESA across crewed/uncrewed fleets advances the Steel Dome layered‑air‑defence concept and underpins export competitiveness. Common avionics baselines typically drive lower lifecycle cost and faster capability spiral.

Implications / Next

Expect near‑term test points to cover BVR missile datalink guidance, SAR/GMTI modes for precision surface attack, and carrier‑ops envelopes from amphibious assault ships. On the industrial side, unifying mission‑computer, avionics, and radar stacks across F‑16 ÖZGÜR, HÜRJET, AKINCI, and KIZILELMA should accelerate doctrine for mixed manned–unmanned packages—central to Türkiye’s future airpower model.

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