Turkish naval UCAV passes ski-jump tests

Bayraktar TB3 naval Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle conducts ski-jump tests at the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne in the Turkish Republic on June 02, 2024 | Photo: Baykar

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar conducted a successful ski-jump test of it Bayraktar TB3 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), last week. According to Baykar, the aircraft, which performed its maiden flight on October 27, 2023 ‘passed the ski-jump test with flying colours in its first attempt.’

The naval armed drone is intended for service in the Turkish UAV carrier TCG Anadolu and according to the manufacturer, the test was conducted from a ramp at a test centre. “The runway at the centre has the same specifications as TCG Anadolu, where Bayraktar TB3 will be stationed, and features a 12-degree ramp. As part of the first ski-jump test, the aircraft successfully completed its takeoff in all four attempts. This development marks the beginning of a last stage in the testing process before Bayraktar TB3 boards TCG Anadolu,” said Baykar in a statement.

Ground crew with the Bayraktar TB3 naval Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle at the ski-jump tests at the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne in the Turkish Republic on June 02, 2024 | Photo: Baykar

The Bayraktar TB3 has logged almost 396 hours of flight over the course of testing, with a peak endurance demonstration of 32 hours, covering a distance of 5,700 kilometres during a test in December.

Manufacturer Baykar said they plan to begin tests of the TB3 onboard the TCG Anadolu later this year. The Turkish company has seen steady growth its Bayraktar TB2 gaining prominence in the war in Ukraine. According to Baykar, “Exports accounts for 97.5 percent of the current contracts of the company.” Baykar had exports worth USD 1.8 billion in 2023, and has ‘export agreements with 33 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and nine countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV.’

The Baykraktar TB2 created a minor sensation in aviation circles recently with a video of the aircraft conducting autonomous barrel rolls — seemingly a first for any Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle of this size. Baykar says the model has logged over 800,000 flight hours, so far and has an endurance record of a little over 27 hours.