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

Article By Girish Linganna

Turkey has announced that its Bayraktar TB3 armed drone has successfully conducted its inaugural flight. The TB3 is set to serve as the key unmanned system aboard the Turkish Navy’s ‘drone carrier’, the TCG Anadolu, offering capabilities for light strikes and continuous surveillance at sea.

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Selçuk Bayraktar, of private Turkish defence company Baykar, which specializes in UAVs, C4I and artificial intelligence, announced that the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle achieved its first flight at the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Centre in northwestern Turkey on October 27, marking the Republic of Turkey’s centenary.

The TB3’s official maiden flight happened shortly after Baykar’s announcement on October 23, confirming that the TB3 had successfully undergone takeoff and landing tests. While the precise details of these tests remain unclear, the images released by the company seem to depict the drone in flight, although it may not have completed a full mission.

In the Works for Years

A Bayraktar TB3 is seen at Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Feb. 3, 2023. (AA Photo)

The TB3, a naval adaptation of Baykar’s battle-tested TB2, has been in the works for several years. It was unveiled for the first time in March this year. The TB2 has seen extensive usage in recent conflicts, including the Ukraine war, and has a history of deployment in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The TB3 boasts a wingspan measuring 14 metres (about 46 feet) and a length of 8.35 metres (about 27 feet). This drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kilograms (around 3,196 pounds) and can carry payloads weighing up to 280 kilograms (617 pounds). According to Baykar, these numbers mark a substantial rise in comparison to TB2, which had figures of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) for maximum takeoff weight and 130 kilograms (286 pounds) for payload capacity. Fitted with a 172-horsepower PD170 engine, the TB3 is anticipated to achieve a range of 1,000 nautical miles and maintain an on-station endurance exceeding 24 hours.

Armament Capabilities

The drone is equipped with six hard points located beneath its foldable wings. These hard points enable it to transport a range of munitions—such as laser-guided rockets, anti-infantry bomblets and anti-tank missiles.

The TB3’s primary role will be in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It possesses beyond-line-of-sight communication abilities, which will significantly expand Anadolu’s coverage across extensive maritime areas. Furthermore, its capacity to accommodate diverse modular systems positions it as an excellent communications relay platform.

Baykar anticipates that the TB3 will commence full-scale production in 2024 and be prepared for deployment on Anadolu within the same year. This inaugural flight of the drone underscores the ongoing strength of Turkey’s indigenous drone manufacturing, particularly in pursuit of its ambition to have a drone-equipped mothership.

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From F-35B to Drones

Initially commissioned in 2015, construction began in 2018 and the ship was launched in 2019. The Anadolu was handed over to the Turkish Navy in May 2023. The vessel follows a standard landing helicopter dock (LHD) layout, featuring a spacious flight deck equipped with a ski-jump at the front and a well deck at the stern. It has the capacity to transport a variety of equipment—including tanks, amphibious assault vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and landing craft—facilitating amphibious assault missions.

It is important to mention that the Anadolu was initially designed to support F-35B stealth jets or AV-8B Harrier IIs, not to serve as a ‘drone carrier’. Nevertheless, in 2019, due to Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems, the US removed Turkey from the F-35 program.

The flight deck on Anadolu was initially designed for F-35B aircraft, which can perform short takeoffs and vertical landings. However, since there are no F-35B aircraft available for operations on the ship’s deck, it remains unused for that purpose. Furthermore, due to the growing importance of unmanned systems, reports earlier this year suggested that the Anadolu would undergo slight infrastructure adjustments to better facilitate drone operations.

These enhancements encompassed the incorporation of drone control stations equipped with satellite terminals to establish extended-range connections. Additionally, a ‘roller system’ was implemented at the ship’s front to launch unmanned platforms and arresting gear was installed on the deck to accommodate landings of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Safety nets were also added to facilitate the recovery of smaller drones.

According to Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence, the Anadolu has the capacity to deploy up to 12 either manned or unmanned combat aircraft, including UCAVs, depending on the specific operational requirements related to aircraft transport capability. Additionally, the vessel can also accommodate various other aerial assets, including nearly 24 helicopters.

(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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