Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials
Turkey and Italy are advancing autonomous drone technology with joint trials and regulatory approvals.
Velocity
How fast coverage is spreading — measured hourly from article rate × source diversity. How this works →
📍 How it ended
Leonardo and Baykar completed test flights for manned-unmanned teaming, demonstrating in-flight control of a Kizilelma drone from an M-346 jet trainer. These successful first K-Swarm live trials established a milestone for advanced crewed/uncrewed capability development.
Italy provided conditional approval to the Leonardo-Baykar drones joint venture.
Epilogue added 6d ago, after coverage quieted.
The brief
Turkey and Italy are collaborating on autonomous drone technology. Baykar and Leonardo have demonstrated the Controlled Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle-Tactical (CUC-T) under the K-Swarm programme.
The trials involved the Kizilelma drone being controlled from an M-346 jet trainer. Coverage from Janes, Defense News, Breaking Defense and TWZ focuses on the successful test flights and the potential for manned-unmanned teaming.
Reuters also reports that Italy has given conditional approval to a joint venture between Leonardo and Baykar. Watch for further developments in the regulatory approval process and additional test results from the K-Swarm programme.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 20d ago.
Quick answers
What companies are involved in the K-Swarm programme?
Baykar and Leonardo are the companies involved in the K-Swarm programme.
Which drone and aircraft were used in the trials?
The Kizilelma drone was controlled from an M-346 jet trainer during the trials.
What is the status of the joint venture between Leonardo and Baykar?
Italy has given conditional approval to the joint venture between Leonardo and Baykar.
Coverage (6)
- LEONARDO AND BAYKAR SET MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ADVANCED CREWED/UNCREWED CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST K-SWARM LIVE TRIALS Leonardo S.p.A. · 21d ago
- Baykar, Leonardo demonstrate CUC-T under K-Swarm programme Janes · 21d ago
- Italy gives conditional approval to Leonardo-Baykar drones joint venture Reuters · 21d ago
- Leonardo, Baykar tout in-flight control of Kizilelma drone from a M-346 jet trainer Defense News · 21d ago
- Leonardo and Baykar complete test flights for manned-unmanned teaming Breaking Defense · 21d ago
- Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials TWZ · 21d ago
Topics
Related trends
Russia readies to reroute exports from Sea of Azov after Ukrainian attacks
Russia is rerouting grain exports from the Sea of Azov following Ukrainian attacks that halted shipping on a key wheat route.
Iran-Backed Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia in Major Escalation
China Purges Top Official Over Corruption and Sex Charges
Russia’s Fuel Crisis Hits Hospitals and Fire Services as State Contracts Collapse
China urges Europe to stop backing 'illegal' South China Sea ruling to avoid harming ties
Border Between 'the Rock,' Spain Will Open
Gibraltar and Spain are ending 118 years of border controls, establishing open borders between 'the Rock' and the EU.