Baykar Performs Load Test of Akinci 3rd Prototype

Turkish drone-maker Baykar announced Sunday it conducted load test of third prototype of Akinci combat unmanned aerial vehicle.

“In the intervening night of August 29-30, we successfully performed the load testing of Bayraktar AKINCI's third prototype,” the company tweeted August 30.

Load testing aids in evaluating a system's behavior under both normal and anticipated peak load conditions. It helps to identify the maximum operating capacity of the system, drone in this case, as well as any bottlenecks and determine which element is causing degradation.

First prototype of the drone made its maiden flight in December 2019- it flew for 16 minutes after take-off. Prior to this, the Akinci had undergone final ground tests which consisted of short sprints down the runway.

Second prototype of Turkey’s Akinci combat drone took to the skies for the first time around mid-August 2020.

AKINCI Combat UAV

Baykar started to work to develop the Akinci in May 2017.

The Akinci belongs to a new class of “heavy” drones. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has a wingspan of 20m, and is powered by two Ukrainian AI-450 turboprop engines.

The drone is capable of conducting operations that are being done with fighter jets. It carries electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar. The Akinci can also be used in air-to-ground and air-to air attack missions.

The UAV will be equipped with multifunction AESA Radar system for air-to-air, syntetic, meteorology estimation.