Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 Drone Conducts First Flight from TCG Anadolu UCAV Carrier

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Turkey's domestically manufactured Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has completed the first flight from the TCG Anadolu, the country's largest warship and the world’s first carrier designed for UCAV operations.

On November 19, the Baykar-developed drone launched from the 12-degree inclined runway of the TCG Anadolu at the convergence of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The test flight, lasting 46 minutes, is the first time in global aviation history that a drone has taken off and landed on a short-decked ship without requiring additional landing support systems.

The Bayraktar TB3 made its maiden flight on October 27, 2023, and has since undergone system identification and performance tests at various altitudes, accumulating 445 hours and three minutes of flight time. On December 20, 2023, the drone remained airborne for 32 consecutive hours, covering a distance of 5,700 km during an endurance test.

In March, the drone was equipped with the ASELFLIR-500 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Targeting System, an indigenous product of Aselsan, which was integrated during relevant tests.

The Bayraktar TB3 completed a ski-jump test at the Keşan facility in June, using a 12-degree ramp identical to the TCG Anadolu’s main deck. This test is part of preparations for the drone's operational deployment on the aircraft carrier. The Bayraktar TB3’s foldable wings enable it to take off and land on short-runway vessels like the TCG Anadolu.

In the same month, the drone, powered by the indigenous TEI PD-170 engine, reached an altitude of 36,310 feet during a high-altitude system test.

The TCG Anadolu can carry helicopters, drones, land vehicles, light warcraft, and personnel. The 231-meter-long vessel, with a width of 32 meters and a full-load displacement of 27,000 tonnes, also supports four mechanized vehicles, two landing craft air-cushion (LCAC) units, and two personnel landing vehicles (LCVP).