A CMV-22B Osprey tiltroter aircraft of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50 flies over the Pacific Ocean enroute to conduct a flyover of NASCAR San Diego Weekend, on Naval Base Coronado, June 19, 2026. Marking the nation and the Navy’s 250th birthday celebrations, NASCAR San Diego Weekend, hosted aboard Naval Base Coronado June 19-21, delivers a unique, high-profiling sports experience that blends motorsports with Navy heritage. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matt Hall)

U.S. Airmen unpack a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft after it lands at a base in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility in support of regional security in the U.S. Central Command AOR June 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Bolt)

A French Rafale fighter jet, French Air and Space Force, flies in an echelon formation alongside NATO Allied aircraft over Finland during exercise Ramstein Flag, June 16, 2026. Ramstein Flag 2026 is a complex, large-scale, tactical level exercise which demonstrates NATO’s determination to counter modern and emerging threats through distributed operations. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan)

A French Mirage 2000 fighter jet, French Air and Space Force, flies in a square formation alongside NATO Allied aircraft over Finland during exercise Ramstein Flag, June 16, 2026. Ramstein Flag 2026 is a complex, large-scale, tactical level exercise which demonstrates NATO’s determination to counter modern and emerging threats through distributed operations. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan)

22 June 2026
Leonardo and Baykar set a major milestone in the development of Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (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.

Collaborative combat teaming has increasingly become a key enabler of future combat air systems, and part of the evolution of current generation fighters. Today’s design of Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) is one of the fundamental strands for the transformation of military and security tools in all domains. Its’ importance is not only technological, but also operational, doctrinal and industrial. The testing was carried out in May at one of Baykar’s flight and test center in Çorlu, Türkiye. The flight test campaign involved two Leonardo M-346 airplanes - a Leonardo owned M-346 Fighter Attack Variant, with an Italian Air Force’s T-346A acting as chase aircraft - and the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Uncrewed Fighter Aircraft.

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, linked with an M-346 Full Mission Simulator in Venegono, Italy. In parallel, leveraging state-of-the-art software and hardware at Baykar facilities, Baykar integrated advanced smart fleet autonomy capabilities into the CUC-T algorithms. KIZILELMA’s advanced autonomy capabilities greatly simplified the integration process, allowing for seamless implementation and rapid deployment.

These were brought into action during the M-346/KIZILELMA formation flights, supporting the validation of advanced collaboration and coordination of different high performance combat platforms and air systems, as the programme marked the transition from simulation to live operations.

An advanced radio frequency data exchange system allowed for the synchronization of all data shared between the M-346 and KIZILELMA platforms, protected by Leonardo GCC Tactical Platform. This proprietary cyber defence platform protects and monitors systems in real time, allowing for effective command and control of the planned flight formations.

During the flight campaign, following an autonomous taxi and take-off, the KIZILELMA autonomously rejoined the M346 Fighter Attack using Smart Fleet Autonomy algorithms developed by the Baykar’s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Laboratory, enabling the M346 to subsequently assume full control of the unmanned aircraft. Using a newly developed fully integrated onboard avionic suite, the M-346 pilots commanded different formations which were autonomously executed by KIZILELMA through a dedicated crewed/uncrewed computing system. Different maneuvers and formations, including position changes, separations and rejoins were successfully tested with the KIZILELMA accurately responding to the M-346 commands.

The activities performed in Çorlu were the result of extensive and intense preparation work, including pilots and technicians, which were jointly carried out over several months by the Leonardo and Baykar teams. This extensive work resulted in the trials achieving the required level of technical integration of the systems, the development of testing scenarios, the algorithms validation and ensured the tests could be managed and completed safely and effectively.

The data and analysis gathered has been crucial in defining the next steps in the K-SWARM programme, as it moves into more complex operations requiring greater situational awareness and assets working together ‘as one’ towards mission objectives.

The refinement and maturity of “AI” technology, algorithms and collaborative procedures will enable the uncrewed systems to incrementally shift from remote piloting to autonomy, with the aim of reducing pilot workload and increasing mission efficiency while maintaining full control and decision-making. New tests are planned in the coming months, with increasing complexity and additional functions.

The first phase of trials demonstrates the solid partnership between Leonardo and Baykar, and their respective technology and industrial competences. It confirms the companies’ competitive advantage in the field and represents a concrete step towards the development of critical capabilities for modern combat air operations in multidomain operational scenarios.