Baykar, Leonardo demonstrate CUC-T under K-Swarm programme

For K-Swarm, an M-346FA manned jet (left) took control of an unmanned Kizilelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle (right). (Baykar, Leonardo )

Baykar and Leonardo have demonstrated the crewed-uncrewed teaming (CUC-T) of the M-346FA manned jet and Kizilelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) under the auspices of the K-Swarm programme.

Announced on 22 June 2026 but having happened in May 2026, the demonstration saw an M-346FA jet control a Kizilelma (the ‘K' in K-Swarm) UCAV at Baykar's flight and test centre in Çorlu, Türkiye.

“Baykar and Leonardo set a major milestone in the development of CUC-T and swarm tactics capabilities, after successfully completing the first phase of live testing activities for the K-Swarm programme. The programme is aimed at designing and developing interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft,” the statement said, adding that its importance is not only technological, but also operational, doctrinal and industrial.

As noted in the announcement, testing activities consisted of a series of missions aimed at assessing “latest generation” algorithms, as well as the relevant tactics and procedures developed by Leonardo at its Avionic, Flight Control Innovation Labs and Product Capability and Concept Laboratory (PC2LAB) in Turin, Italy, linked with an M-346 Full Mission Simulator in Venegono, Italy. In parallel, Baykar integrated autonomy capabilities into the CUC-T (also known as manned-unmanned teaming [MUM-T]) algorithms. “Kizilelma's advanced autonomy capabilities greatly simplified the integration process, allowing for seamless implementation and rapid deployment,” the statement said, adding that an advanced radio frequency data exchange system allowed for the synchronisation and sharing of data between the two aircraft.