Bayraktar TB3 UCAV sets new altitude record with domestically produced engine

By Defence Industry Europe

Turkish defence company Baykar Technologies announced that the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has successfully completed its 34th and 35th flight tests, setting a new altitude record by reaching 33,000 feet. This milestone was achieved using the domestically developed PD-170 engine, marking a significant achievement in Turkish aviation history.

 

The Bayraktar TB3, which first took to the skies on October 27, 2023, has been undergoing rigorous testing at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ province. The recent High Altitude System Performance Test witnessed the UCAV breaking the previous altitude records, signifying the advanced capabilities of the PD-170 engine produced by TUSAŞ Engine Industries Inc. (TEI).

 

 

 

 

To date, the Bayraktar TB3 has accumulated 327 hours and 35 minutes in test flights, demonstrating its robust performance capabilities, including a notable 32-hour continuous flight covering 5,700 kilometers. Further enhancing its operational readiness, on March 26, the UCAV successfully integrated and flew with the domestically developed ASELFLIR-500 system, recognized globally for its superior performance.

 

 

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Designed with foldable wings, the Bayraktar TB3 is set to become the first armed UCAV capable of operating from short-runway ships, such as the TCG Anadolu, the flagship of the Turkish Navy. This capability, combined with its beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication, enables the UCAV to play a pivotal role in reconnaissance, intelligence, and attack missions, significantly boosting Türkiye’s deterrent capabilities.

 

 

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Baykar’s Chairperson and CTO, Selçuk Bayraktar, highlighted the importance of these achievements and confirmed plans to test the Bayraktar TB3 aboard the TCG Anadolu in 2024. The ongoing success of the Bayraktar TB3 is a testament to Baykar’s commitment to advancing Turkish defense technology on a global scale.

 

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