The Bayraktar TB3, an indigenous and original armed unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Baykar, has successfully passed the short-runway warship take-off and landing test, marking a first in the history of aviation. The aircraft has thus become the first armed unmanned aerial vehicle capable of taking off and landing on short-runway warships including TCG Anadolu.
After completing successful ski-jump tests, the Bayraktar TB3 PT1 and PT2 were deployed from Baykar's Flight Training and Test Centre in Kesan, Edirne, to Dalaman Air Base Command. During their operations, Bayraktar TB3 PT1 carried out both day and night close-range flights to TCG Anadolu, successfully completing "Approach Tests" without any issues.
On 19 November 2024, the Bayraktar TB3 PT2, after completing its open-sea shipboard tests, took off from the short runway of TCG Anadolu, which has a 12-degree inclined ramp. The flight, conducted at the convergence of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, lasted for 46 minutes before the aircraft successfully landed back on the same short runway, without the need for any landing support equipment. This historic test flight opened the door to a new era in both aviation and maritime history.
On 25 June 2024, during a test flight at Baykar's Flight Training and Test Centre, Bayraktar TB3 successfully completed its high-altitude system performance test, climbing to an altitude of 36,310 ft. Powered by TEI's indigenous PD-170 engine, the Turkish drone passed yet another critical milestone. The Bayraktar AKINCI, another indigenous aircraft developed by Baykar, holds Türkiye's altitude record at 45,118 ft.
Following successful tests in Çorlu, Tekirdag, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV moved to Baykar's Flight Training and Test Centre in Kesan, where it completed its first ski-jump test on 1 June 2024. The facility in Kesan features a 12-degree ramp, identical to the one on TCG Anadolu's main deck. After passing the ski-jump tests, the Bayraktar TB3 was cleared for operational deployment aboard the warship.
Since the start of test flights, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV has flown for 823 hours. In December 2023, it completed an endurance test, staying airborne for 32 hours and covering a distance of 5700 kilometres.
On 26 March 2024, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV was equipped with the ASELFLIR-500 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Targeting System, an indigenous product developed by Aselsan. The ASELFLIR-500, which outperforms its global competitors, was successfully integrated into the aircraft during the relevant test.
With its foldable wings and advanced capabilities, the Bayraktar TB3 is set to become the leading UCAV in its class. Equipped with Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication, it can be operated from vast distances, making it a key asset for Türkiye's deterrence strategy. The Bayraktar TB3 will support reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and overseas combat missions with its smart munitions.
Baykar, which has financed all its projects to date with its own resources, generated 83% of its total revenue from exports since starting its UAV R&D efforts in 2003. In 2023 alone, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports, placing it among Türkiye's top 10 exporters across all sectors. Recognized as the leader in defence and aerospace exports, Baykar has been honoured by the Defence Industry Agency and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) for three consecutive years (2021, 2022 and 2023). In recent years, over 90% of Baykar's revenue came from exports. In 2023, the company accounted for one-third of Türkiye's defence and aerospace exports. Exports account for 97.5% of all the existing contracts of Baykar, the world's largest UCAV exporter. With contracts for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV signed with 34 countries and the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV with 10 countries, Baykar's global footprint spans 35 countries.
Top Guns RCs at Mobile Deployment Wing AFB Swartkop
