Baykar Hails Success Of New Uncrewed Aerial Attack Drone Tests

Turkish defence firm Baykar has announced its combat-capable Bayraktar TB3 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) has successfully completed more autonomous test flights from amphibious assault vessel and Turkish Navy flagship TCG Anadolu.

In a recent press statement the firm said four separate sorties had been flown by the TB3 around a week ago from the drone-carrying short-runway assault vessel, with the UAV operating completely autonomously. At least one of these flights took place at sunset.

Baykar claims the TB3 is the first uncrewed aerial system capable of autonomously taking off and landing on a short-runway vessel.

It said the TB3 has now accumulated more than 1,00 hours of flight time, including one uninterrupted 32-hour endurance test, in which the drone covered a distance of more than 3,500 miles.

About a month ago the drone also completed successful live-fire strike missions, with the TB3 firing a supersonic UAV-122 missile developed by UAV-122 Roketsan to destroy a six-metre square target in a low-altitude, below line-of-sight attack.

Targeting for the attack was carried out via laser-painting from a separate Bayraktar TB2 drone that co-operated in real time with the TB3 UAV.

In separate previous tests TB3 drones have also achieved a maximum altitude of just above 36,000 feet, and tested ISR capabilities developed by Aselsan.

The Baykar statement noted: “With its foldable wing structure and advanced capabilities, Bayraktar TB3 is set to become the leading unmanned aerial vehicle in its class once it enters service.

“Equipped with beyond-line-of-sight communication capability, the indigenous UCAV will be operable from very long distances. This will enable it to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and strike missions using its smart munitions against overseas targets — serving as a force multiplier that will significantly enhance Türkiye’s deterrent power.”

Baykar claims to be the world’s largest exporter of uncrewed aerial vehicles: it reported export sales of $1.8 billion in both 2023 and 2024. It says it has export agreements in place with a total of 36 countries, including 34 contracts for its Bayraktar TB2 platform, and 11 for its Akinci UAV.

• You can read more details on the Baykar website