TAI: Anka-3 combat drone gets on runway for the first time (VIDEO)

By Goksel Yildirim (Anadolu Agency), Defence Industry Europe

Turkish combat drone Anka-3, with its "flying-wing" structure enabling low radar visibility, high-speed transfer capability, and high payload, got on the runway and is counting the days for its maiden flight.

Milli savunma, milli teknoloji, milli güç, ANKA 3! 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/DhFKJZyc3q
— Türk Havacılık Uzay Sanayii (@TUSAS_TR) April 26, 2023

Anka-3, which has no tail surface, has great advantages, Bulent Korkem, the uncrewed aerial vehicles engineering director at TAI.

“One of the advantages of its design and the most important one is low radar visibility. Because the aircraft has neither horizontal nor vertical tails, the visibility decreases considerably. With some extra measures, it is possible to further reduce the visibility,” Korkem told Turkish agency Anadolu.

The combat aircraft is currently running taxi tests and will likely make its maiden flight at the beginning of May.

The Anka-3 can fly up to 44,000 feet and can provide service at an altitude of 40,000 ft.

“Low radar visibility gives us high payload capacity at long distances and the ability to operate at high speeds. So, we have a heavy load capacity,” Korkem stressed.

The drone will have a maximum takeoff weight of 6,500 kilograms (14,330 pounds) and a practical payload capacity of 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs).

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