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ANKA-3: Turkey’s Trailblazing Stealth Drone Set to Transform Air Warfare

By Girish Linganna

The ANKA-3 is engineered with stealth features, including a flying wing design, internal weapon storage, and potentially a stealthy exhaust nozzle in future iterations.

Turkey has made an impressive achievement in drone technology by flying its first stealth drone with a unique wing design. Named ANKA-3 MIUS, short for National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System, this drone is developed by Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI). It’s designed to be flexible and durable for different combat tasks.

The ANKA-3 completed its first flight, footage of which was posted on X (previously known as Twitter). The drone was airborne for 70 minutes, achieving a height of 8,000 feet and a speed of 150 knots (278 Kmph). It was accompanied by a TAI Hürkuş turboprop trainer aircraft. Equipped with a turbofan engine, the drone boasts a wingspan of 20 meters.

President Tayyip Erdogan expressed joy on Twitter, stating (in translation):

“Today, TAI’s developed unmanned combat plane ANKA-3 successfully carried out its initial flight. I hope that with its cutting-edge technology, design, and capabilities, our plane will significantly bolster our nation’s defense.”

Credit: Turkish Aerospace

It is said that each of the drone’s two fuselage weapon stations can carry up to 1,400 pounds of armaments. Similarly, each of the inner-wing stations can handle 1,400 pounds, and the outer-wing stations are capable of carrying 220 pounds each. Additionally, the drone is equipped with internal weapon storage, essential for maintaining its stealth characteristics.

Also Read, Examining the Shahed-136 Drone’s Stealth

The ANKA-3 is built with stealth features like a flying wing design, hidden weapon storage, and potentially a stealth-friendly exhaust nozzle in the future. It’s capable of carrying various armaments, such as the Mk 82 500-pound bomb and Small Diameter Bomb from the U.S., and Turkey’s own SOM-J standoff missile. The drone is equipped with six external mounting points and two internal compartments, allowing it to carry a total load of 4,400 pounds.

The drone is a key component of Turkey’s strategic initiative to create a stealth fighter, the TF-X, which is anticipated to take its maiden flight in the near future. The ANKA-3 and the TF-X are envisioned to operate collaboratively, with the drone serving as a loyal wingman or a decoy for the piloted fighter. The ANKA-3 is designed for various roles including attack, reconnaissance, electronic combat, and targeting and neutralizing enemy air defenses.

Turkey isn’t alone in developing flying-wing drones. China has multiple versions, including the GJ-11 Sharp Sword, and Russia’s Okhotnik-B UCAV is another example. Both of these drones have completed flight tests and are expected to be operational soon. On the other hand, the United States hasn’t publicly announced a comparable project.

Also Read, Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 Drone Sets Off on Its Inaugural Flight

The ANKA-3 marks a notable accomplishment for Turkey and could revolutionize future air combat. This drone might also appeal to international buyers looking for stealthy and proficient unmanned aerial vehicles.

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)

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