An important step has been taken in the history of world aviation. Bayraktar TB3 SİHA, developed by Baykar, one of the giants of Türkiye's national defense industry, has achieved great success by becoming the first SİHA to take off and land from a short-runway ship. In the first firing test conducted on March 23, 2024, Bayraktar TB3 SİHA hit the target with a direct hit with the İHA-122 Supersonic Missile produced by Roketsan. This test was an important milestone in terms of both ammunition integration and coordinated missions.
Bayraktar TB3's Short Runway Ship Takeoff and First Tests
Bayraktar TB3 successfully took off from Türkiye’s most modern amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu, on November 19, 2024. This flight was recorded as a first in world aviation history. Bayraktar TB3, which landed and took off from a short-runway ship, also successfully landed without using landing support equipment, proving its capabilities in this field once again. The test flights on TCG Anadolu demonstrated its potential on short-runway ships, setting an important example for the future of UCAVs that can operate on ship platforms.
Following these successes of Bayraktar TB3, ammunition and payload integration tests were also accelerated. These tests focused on ammunition carrying and firing capabilities, especially for tasks on ships.
First Firing Test Successfully Conducted with UAV-122 Supersonic Missile
On March 25, 2024, Bayraktar TB3, which took off from Dalaman, Muğla, conducted its first firing test with the UAV-122 Supersonic Missile developed by Roketsan. During the test, a 50x6 meter target on the sea was hit with a direct hit from a distance of over 6 kilometers. The fact that Bayraktar TB2 UCAV undertook the laser targeting task played a major role in the success of the firing. The target marked by Bayraktar TB2 was destroyed with a direct hit by Bayraktar TB3. This test successfully demonstrated the coordinated targeting capability of the two UCAVs.
High Altitude and Long Duration Flight Performance
Bayraktar TB3 consolidated its success by breaking high-altitude records in test flights. In the flight carried out at the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in the Keşan district of Edirne on June 25, 2024, it successfully completed its high-altitude performance by reaching an altitude of 36.310 feet. This flight also revealed how powerful Bayraktar TB3's domestic PD-170 engine performs. In addition, on December 3, 20, Bayraktar TB2023 stayed in the air for 32 hours without landing and traveled 5.700 km. This also demonstrated the SİHA's long-endurance flight capability.
National Cameras and Experimental Integrations
Bayraktar TB3 SİHA flew for the first time on March 26, 2024, with the ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system developed by Aselsan. This test successfully integrated Bayraktar TB3 with the highest-performance optical system in the world. Thus, Bayraktar TB3 SİHA took an important step towards becoming the leading unmanned aerial vehicle in its class, not only with its weapons and ammunition, but also with its superior technological equipment.
Ship-to-Ship Offshore Power Multiplier
Bayraktar TB3 has the capacity to display superior performance not only on land but also in sea operations with its foldable wing structure and capabilities in overseas missions. In particular, its beyond-line-of-sight communication capability will enable it to be controlled from long distances, which will enable the UAV to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering and attack missions on overseas targets. Bayraktar TB3 will thus make a major contribution to Türkiye’s deterrent power.
Export Successes and Global Rise
Baykar has always maintained its leadership in the sector with high domestic production and export targets. Baykar, which achieved 2023 billion dollars of exports in 1.8, stands out as a major exporter company worldwide. By signing export agreements to 3 different countries with Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar TB36 and Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA, it showed how strong a player the Turkish defense industry is in the global market. It continued its success in this field by increasing its export figures in 2024.
Baykar has crowned this success in the national and international arena not only with technological innovations but also with strategic export moves. Baykar's unmanned aerial vehicles make a significant contribution to the defense strategies of many countries, while reinforcing Türkiye's leadership in the global UAV market.
The Future of Bayraktar TB3
Bayraktar TB3 has demonstrated Türkiye's strong position in the defense industry by achieving a series of critical successes, from landing and takeoff from short-runway ships to ammunition integration tests. Bayraktar TB3's potential on ship platforms and overseas missions will greatly contribute to Türkiye's global strategic power. Baykar continues to take important steps towards making Türkiye a global leader, not only in the defense field but also with its export success.
