Bayraktar TB3 Drone Completes Landmark Ski-Jump Test for Carrier Operations

 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.

Bayraktar TB3 Drone Breaks Flight Endurance Record; Achieves ‘Remarkable’ 32 Hour, 5700 Km Flight

 Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has achieved a significant milestone with its Bayraktar TB3 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), setting a new endurance record during a recent test flight. The 13th flight test, dubbed the "Endurance Flight Test," lasted an impressive 32 hours, surpassing the expected endurance of 24 hours. The TB3 drone, designed as the primary uncrewed platform for the Turkish Navy's innovative 'drone carrier,' TCG Anadolu, covered a distance of 5700 km during the test conducted at the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Center.

Equipped with a locally developed PD-170 engine, the TB3's performance exceeded initial expectations, with its predecessor, the TB2 drone, having an endurance of 27 hours and 3 minutes. The TB3, boasting enhanced flight endurance, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, supports various munitions, including laser-guided rockets and anti-tank missiles. Its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities make it suitable for deployment on aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships, providing flexibility during land-based operations. Full mass production of the TB3 is anticipated to commence in 2024, coinciding with its deployment aboard the TCG Anadolu. Baykar is also actively developing the Kizilelma, a fighter-like drone set for production in the coming year.