Leonardo and Turkish unmanned systems manufacturer Baykar have completed the first phase of live flight trials under the K-SWARM programme, successfully demonstrating crewed/uncrewed teaming between Leonardo’s M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft and the Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter – a milestone that marks the transition from simulation-based development to live operational validation.
The trials, conducted in May at Baykar’s flight and test centre in Çorlu, Türkiye, involved a Leonardo-owned M-346 Fighter Attack variant supported by an Italian Air Force T-346A chase aircraft, operating alongside the KIZILELMA in a series of autonomous formation flights. Test missions assessed next-generation collaborative algorithms developed at Leonardo’s Avionic and Flight Control Innovation Labs and its PC2LAB concept laboratory in Turin, validated against a full mission simulator before being taken live. Baykar contributed advanced smart fleet autonomy capabilities integrated directly into the crewed/uncrewed teaming algorithms, with KIZILELMA’s onboard autonomy enabling seamless implementation and rapid deployment.
During the campaign, KIZILELMA completed autonomous taxi and take-off before autonomously rejoining the M-346 using Baykar’s Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms. The M-346 crew then assumed full command of the unmanned aircraft through a dedicated crewed/uncrewed computing system, directing a series of formations, position changes, separations and rejoins, all executed autonomously by KIZILELMA. Data exchange between the two platforms was managed through an advanced radio frequency system protected by Leonardo’s GCC Tactical Platform, a proprietary cyber defence solution providing real-time command and control protection.
The programme’s significance extends well beyond this bilateral partnership. Crewed/uncrewed teaming is increasingly central to the future combat air architecture being developed across NATO and partner nations, including through the UK’s own Global Combat Air Programme. The K-SWARM trials validate a model in which autonomy algorithms, secure data links, onboard avionic integration and cyber-protected command systems must all function as a coherent system in live, high-performance flight conditions. For UK supply chain businesses, the technology layers demonstrated in Çorlu map directly to capability areas in active development across GCAP and adjacent programmes.
With further trials planned in coming months at increasing complexity, and the programme moving towards greater situational awareness and multi-asset mission coordination, the sub-tier demand picture is beginning to take shape. Businesses with relevant capabilities should monitor the following areas:
- Autonomous flight control systems, algorithms and AI-enabled decision-making
- Crewed/uncrewed teaming architecture and integration
- Secure tactical data links and radio frequency communications
- Cyber defence platforms and real-time command and control protection
- Avionic suite integration for manned and unmanned combat platforms
- Mission simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing and trials support
