# Leonardo, Baykar tout in-flight control of Kizilelma drone from a M-346 jet trainer

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-06-24 10:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Leonardo and Baykar have successfully demonstrated in-flight control of the Kizilelma uncrewed drone from an M-346 jet trainer.

## Intelligence Brief
Leonardo S.p.A. and Baykar have completed live flight trials under the K-Swarm programme. The tests involved operating the Kizilelma drone using a manned M-346 jet trainer to demonstrate crewed and uncrewed teaming capabilities.


Coverage from Janes, TWZ, Breaking Defense, Defense News, and Leonardo S.p.A. emphasizes this as a milestone for advanced uncrewed technology integration. Reports highlight the tactical application of controlling an autonomous drone directly from an aircraft cockpit.


Future developments remain subject to further testing. Coverage does not yet specify a timeline for operational deployment or additional platforms to be included in the K-Swarm programme.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Leonardo S.p.A. | LEONARDO AND BAYKAR SET MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ADVANCED CREWED/UNCREWED CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCCESSFUL FIRST K-SWARM LIVE TRIALS | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgJBVV95cUxOY3lDeXM5bGZEWWxyekVkZnJMaGwxNzRBVFRIWG1vaTBWLWdYLTNOTnB2SHY5SEJOUGRxS2liWkVjc3NxaDBtNkFBMHotcm9kYWYwTzdhY0NzS3FlR19kekhlbFhteExWMGVyWXBVdnoyNWZmYXgtODY4SmxTRXRtNWhydldiQW5qbWJneGp2cWhsX1MxZ0R0RHJUY1dxcHZZcC1KdkhHY09GbXk4NlhkSnhqdEVTV28yQWZUME9IOWxTUk9XUmU1S3N5ZWRBZkY1Ui1wMUEzX2xTZXVZdHI3WjJlV1g1ZjUxR0VzajN2b1pva00yVW1iZFp6MkpGVlFFSUVzdXFMM25SbXhZWTBpX0NpbnRmTmNHWVZ2OXhPZHBpRGlkUUZ5d0dR?oc=5) |
| Janes | Baykar, Leonardo demonstrate CUC-T under K-Swarm programme | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixAFBVV95cUxOOE8zeDdLQTBXTi1ueVdZLUNXNFhtVWhfSkkwdDNnemlna3daY0Q4cUg1dVJjTGdFWWVTb19GZHZuZmY0dGd5TDlpdlR4Y0RlTEViZHlqSDh4cTdlcVpCcXlNVlB3T0NEU1E5Q2Q3N04xR0ZxaDJibW5wbFVFZTl5dWs4N010WTNQTnkwdF9meC1ZMFNCLUNrWDNyaExHdWd0LWdZRGx1bFRyWkdjSmhXMWRyUUtJb3p4emdDSzNEcXcyNEVW?oc=5) |
| TWZ | Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxOZ1VVTWNOMHQzSXgtRGIzeUJyQXZXcnVNdmNSMTVuOW1IbVZYZEpPc3R0MS15MEtnZDhQeTFKTFZURmhtWmNsX2hpZExyc0FaQ2pXZmxudmZ4b0JOc2VxY3ZTelF5czZLam00WFl1a2dhd0E4UEkyckhQX09FOTUwQm1lSndSMjVpb3pXNC1YWnJaWEJWOUVNWTg5Q0l5OGs?oc=5) |
| Breaking Defense | Leonardo and Baykar complete test flights for manned-unmanned teaming | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxOemYzSF9Jc1Q2RGpsSGdWbUlXaWNxZWxnR0FGdFdUYVlHQnk3WVVmcWxnY3p3WWxHYTNvOG5TV0JGN3ZPeWZUeWlua3BDMHlBZVYydURLOHFWVHdLbUk5dnA0SlhIVVYzaDRVUXhac2dFelQ0eFhMbzFFR3Y1WEpGTjFZVjVTVXY4NjV3M1FkWHF6b3lOd2J0b0wyNEJlcE5aMHRZYTdTZXhVZw?oc=5) |
| Defense News | Leonardo, Baykar tout in-flight control of Kizilelma drone from a M-346 jet trainer | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxOS2U4STJjWFBiZ1FndjMtSVRseVlzamFEZkg3RTlkYzdzRThsTVlNeHpfd211Z3FlU0t0Qlo1M0t2M2VhMWVjV2YtdklESmFSeXFJbUtwNFBPTEE5R0JjV3BXQmdqektHRHV2bUNxRTFQZHhIei1xNkhqWXoyN0hqdGNNQ3QzMmdtQk9NNndlTUlmNXZWamp5TTZpQk1lNXlPaHBRTDZoYTFzbWhNNElCaFluVHFiN3JKb1ZNaVZwb0didU9LRmdDU3JzWTR2WjR3X3c?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-06-24/leonardo-baykar-tout-in-flight-control-of-kizilelma-drone-from-a-m-346-jet*