Bayraktar TB3 UCAV Completes Second Flight Test from TCG Anadolu

Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has completed its second flight from the TCG Anadolu, Turkey's largest warship.

On November 25, the Bayraktar TB3 completed its second flight test, performing two takeoffs and landings without the need for any landing support equipment. The UCAV flew at an average altitude of 20,000 feet during the test.

This follows the drone's flight on November 19, when it became the first unmanned aerial vehicle to take off and land on a short-deck vessel, using the 12-degree inclined ramp of the TCG Anadolu. The 46-minute flight, conducted in the Aegean-Mediterranean region, showcased the UCAV's ability to operate without additional landing support.

Powered by the indigenously developed TEI PD-170 engine, Bayraktar TB3 has also performed well in high-altitude and long-duration tests. On June 25, it reached an altitude of 36,310 feet during a system performance test.

The UCAV has accumulated over 828 flight hours, including a 32-hour, 5,700-kilometer endurance flight in December 2023.

Equipped with the ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting system from Aselsan, Bayraktar TB3 is capable of conducting a wide range of missions, including reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and strikes against distant targets. Its foldable wing design enables it to operate from short-deck vessels like the TCG Anadolu, further enhancing its operational versatility.