Leonardo and Baykar have completed the first phase of live testing for the K-SWARM programme, moving a crewed-uncrewed teaming concept from simulation into real world flight operations.

The programme is focused on developing interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft, an area increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of future combat air systems and the evolution of current-generation fighter platforms.

Flight trials took place in May at Baykar's flight and test centre in Corlu, Turkey, involving a Leonardo owned M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, an Italian Air Force T-346A chase aircraft and the Bayraktar Kizilelma uncrewed fighter aircraft.

The campaign evaluated algorithms, tactics and procedures developed by Leonardo's Avionic and Flight Control Innovation Labs and its PC2LAB concept laboratory in Turin. These capabilities were linked to an M-346 Full Mission Simulator in Venegono, Italy, while Baykar integrated advanced smart fleet autonomy functions into the programme.

Kizilelma's autonomous capabilities enabled the rapid implementation of the crewed-uncrewed teaming architecture, which was subsequently validated during formation flights involving the M-346 and the uncrewed fighter.

A radio-frequency data exchange system synchronised information between the aircraft, while Leonardo's GCC Tactical Platform provided cyber protection, real time monitoring and command-and-control support throughout the trials.

During the flights, Kizilelma autonomously taxied, took off and rejoined the M-346 before the crewed aircraft assumed control. Pilots aboard the M-346 then directed a series of manoeuvres and formation changes that were autonomously executed by the uncrewed platform through a dedicated crewed-uncrewed computing system.

The work followed several months of joint preparation by Leonardo and Baykar teams, including the development of test scenarios, systems integration activities and algorithm validation.

Data gathered during the campaign will inform the next phase of the programme, which is expected to introduce more complex missions involving higher levels of situational awareness and multiple platforms operating together towards shared objectives.

Additional trials are planned in the coming months as the partners continue refining autonomy technologies, collaborative procedures and artificial intelligence capabilities designed to reduce pilot workload while maintaining human oversight and decision-making authority.