The UCAV, equipped with the state-of-the-art ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical system, covered a distance of 4600km during its 26th flight test, showcasing the advanced technology and engineering prowess behind its design.
The flight test comes after the first prototype set a benchmark with a record flight time of 32 hours and a distance of 5700km, highlighting the significant strides being made in enhancing the endurance and range of these cutting-edge drones. The Bayraktar TB3 is gearing up for a series of tests from a mock runway designed to resemble the deck of TCG ANADOLU, a testament to its capabilities to operate from short-runway ships like the TCG Anadolu (L400).
Designed with a reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and a more powerful engine, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV represents a new era of maritime and aerial warfare technology. Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board and Technology Leader of Baykar, announced that testing on the TCG Anadolu (L400) is slated for 2024, signaling a pivotal moment for the integration of unmanned systems in naval operations.
With a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 1450 kg and a payload capacity of 280 kg, the Bayraktar TB3 is nearly twice as heavy as its predecessor, the TB2, indicating substantial improvements in its operational capabilities. Expected to have a range of 1,000 nautical miles, the TB3 will be equipped with a variety of munitions for engaging surface targets on both sea and ground, enhancing the tactical flexibility and strike capabilities of naval forces.
The Bayraktar TB3’s development and forthcoming tests underscore the rapid advancement in unmanned aerial vehicle technology and its increasing significance in modern warfare. As the TB3 prepares for its groundbreaking tests aboard the TCG ANADOLU, it sets the stage for a new chapter in naval and aerial combat operations, cementing the Bayraktar name at the forefront of UCAV innovation.
