Turkey's carrier-capable drone, the Bayraktar TB3, has successfully conducted its first ski-jump test from a land-based runway, marking a significant milestone in its development. The TB3, developed by Baykar, had its initial flight tests from the TCG Anadolu last year. The TCG Anadolu, commissioned recently, is among the world’s first drone carriers.
The Bayraktar TB3 is an advanced version of the widely used TB2 drone, designed specifically for carrier operations. Featuring foldable wings and the capability to launch from short runways, the TB3 is set to be the first combat drone to take off and land on short-runway vessels like the TCG Anadolu.
In a video released by Baykar, the drone is shown taking off from a 12-degree inclined ramp in Edirne, northwest Turkey, under conditions that simulate the TCG Anadolu's deck. The TB3 successfully completed four takeoffs, demonstrating its readiness for carrier operations. Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar’s chair and technology leader, commented on social media platform X: “Step by step to TCG Anadolu. And from there to the boundless blue seas.”
The drone will continue testing at the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne, which features a dedicated ramp runway. Initially unveiled in March 2023, the TB3 completed its maiden flight in October 2023, celebrating Turkey’s centenary. In December 2023, it set a new endurance record for the Bayraktar UAV family with a 32-hour flight.
The TB3, designed to operate alongside the Bayraktar Kizilelma, an unmanned fighter jet, signifies a leap in combat drone technology. The TCG Anadolu is notable as the first vessel globally to feature an air wing composed entirely of unmanned aircraft. Commissioned in April 2023, the ship is intended for long-endurance, long-distance military and humanitarian missions, serving as a command center for the Turkish Navy.
The TB3, an advanced version of the TB2, is armed with a variety of munitions and equipped for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions. Its foldable wings, six hardpoints for carrying weapons, and enhanced flight endurance mark substantial improvements over the TB2. The drone can take off and land autonomously and communicate beyond the line of sight, making it highly versatile.
The TB3 is larger than the TB2, measuring 8.3 meters long, 2.6 meters tall, and with a 14-meter wingspan. It has a payload capacity of 280 kilograms, significantly more than the TB2’s 150 kilograms. The maximum takeoff weight of the TB3 is 1,450 kilograms, about twice that of the TB2. Additionally, it boasts a cruising speed of 125 to 160 mph, surpassing the TB2’s 70 to 120 knots.
The December 2023 tests highlighted the TB3’s endurance, indicating it can exceed the typical 24 to 27-hour range for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class UCAVs. This extended endurance, coupled with its advanced capabilities, positions the TB3 as a formidable asset in modern aerial combat.
