Bayraktar TB3 Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Exciting Updates
Bayraktar TB3 Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SİHA), developed by BAYKAR, has successfully completed its first flight. This new aircraft will be utilized on TCG ANADOLU warship.
The development process of Bayraktar TB3 has been ongoing at BAYKAR for some time now. The aircraft, which recently completed its fast taxi test and touch-and-go successfully, has now successfully completed its maiden flight.
During its first flight, Bayraktar TB3 remained in the air for approximately 2 hours. After this initial test, the aircraft will continue its testing activities in Keşan and then transition to a test platform on land.
The land-based test platform will simulate the flight deck of the TCG ANADOLU Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). Following all these test activities, Bayraktar TB3 is expected to perform its first landing and takeoff on TCG ANADOLU in 2024.
In recent weeks, there has been a competition between Turkey, the United States, and Israel regarding the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Selçuk Bayraktar, the Chairman of Baykar, mentioned that when they announced the project, an American unmanned aerial vehicle company followed suit, and later, an Israeli state company also joined the race. He expressed curiosity about who will be the first to achieve their goals.
Bayraktar TB3, developed in a relatively short period of time, comes with various features. It has foldable wings, a SATCOM payload, a takeoff weight of 1450 kilograms, a 24-hour flight time, 6 weapon stations, and the ability to operate at high altitudes.
The aircraft’s wingspan measures 14 meters, with a length of 8.35 meters and a height of 2.6 meters. It can cruise at a speed of 125 to 160 knots and has a maximum speed. Additionally, it has a payload capacity of 280 kilograms and can remain airborne for more than 24 hours.
Other advanced features of Bayraktar TB3 include its ability to take off and land on short runway aircraft carriers, line of sight and beyond line of sight communication capabilities, as well as automatic landing and takeoff functions.
This article was sourced from DefenseSanayiST.com.
