Baykar Bayraktar TB3

Bayraktar TB3
Baykar Bayraktar TB3 on the deck of TCG Anadolu
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Baykar
First flight 27 October 2023[1]
Introduction 2025 (planned)
Status Flight Testing
Primary user Turkish Armed Forces (intended)
Developed from Baykar Bayraktar TB2

The Baykar Bayraktar TB3 is a Turkish medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of short-range landing and take-off, produced by Baykar. According to the initial plans, the ship TCG Anadolu was expected to be equipped with Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter jets but the vessel entered a modification process to allow it to be able to accommodate UAVs such as Bayraktar TB3 following the removal of Turkey from the F-35 procurement program. [2][dead link]

Development

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The Bayraktar TB3 was first unveiled by Selçuk Bayraktar on October 29, 2020. In his announcement, Bayraktar mentioned the testing of a domestic engine, presumed to be the PD-170 or its derivative, which would be integrated into the Bayraktar Akıncı HALE UAV and the Bayraktar TB3. Describing the engine as having "by far the highest performance values in its class, worldwide", Selçuk Bayraktar highlighted its capabilities.

Selçuk Bayraktar later elaborated on the Bayraktar TB3, stating, "We are developing an aircraft that lands and takes off from an aircraft carrier, unique in its class. It has folding wings, can land on an aircraft carrier, and can carry heavier munitions. It is around 1200 kilograms."[3]

The developer of TB3, Baykar Defense, shared the first computer-generated images of the deployed TB3 on TCG Anadolu, which is the first amphibious assault ship of Turkey, on July 21, 2021, via Twitter. It was revealed that the TB3 would operate alongside Bayraktar Kızılelma, which is equipped with a jet engine.[4]

Development Timeline

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  • 27 March 2023: First prototype of the TB3 has been made public.[5]
  • 13 October 2023: Successful completion of TB3's first test run.[6]
  • 20 October 2023: Conducted the initial take-off and landing test, achieving high speeds and briefly took the wheels off from the ground, without fully flying into the sky.[7]
  • 27 October 2023: Maiden flight took place, just two days before the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.[8]
  • 11 November 2023: The aircraft flew with its landing gear retracted for the first time.[9]
  • 1 June 2024: The first ski-jump ramp test of TB3 was successfully completed.[10]

Specifications (Bayraktar TB3)

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UMTAS missile to be used in TB3[11]

General characteristics Performance

Data from official Baykar infographic.[12]

General characteristics

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  • Crew: 0 onboard
  • Length: 8.35 m (27.4 ft)
  • Height: 2.6 m (8.5 ft)
  • Wing span: 14 m (46 ft)
  • Max take-off weight: 1,450 kg (3,200 lb)
  • Payload capacity: 280 kg (620 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × TEI PD170

Performance

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  • Maximum speed: 160 knots (300 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 125 knots (232 km/h)
  • Communication range: line-of-sight propagation
  • Operational range: 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km)

Armaments

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Avionics

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  • Interchangeable EO/IR/LD imaging and targeting sensor systems or Multi Mode AESA Radar:
    • Aselsan CATS EO/IR/LD imaging and targeting sensor (expected)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ "Bayraktar TB3 SİHA, Cumhuriyet'in 100. Yılında gökyüzüyle buluştu".
  2. ^ Isik, Talha. "S/İHA Gemisi: TCG Anadolu". BAUDEGS (in Turkish). Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Bayraktar TB-3 SİHA'nın özellikleri paylaşıldı". Savunma Sanayi ST (in Turkish). 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  4. ^ Axe, David. "Behold The Turkish Navy's Drone Aircraft Carrier". Forbes. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Bayraktar TB3 to perform maiden flight in 2022". Global Defense Corp. 2021-09-05. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  6. ^ "Bayraktar TB3 ilk koşu testini başarıyla tamamladı". aa.com.tr. Anadolu Ajansı. 13 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Bayraktar TB3'ten yeni başarı! Teker kesme testinden geçti". hurriyet.com.tr. Hürriyet. 20 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Bayraktar TB3'ten 100'üncü yıl müjdesi". savunmasanayist.com (in Turkish). Savunma Sanayi ST. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Bayraktar TB3'te bir ilk: İniş takımları kapandı". savunmasanayist.com (in Turkish). Savunma Sanayi ST. 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  10. ^ Ozberk, Tayfun (2024-06-03). "Bayraktar TB3 UAV performs first flight test using ski-jump". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  11. ^ Eshel, Tamir (19 December 2015). "Turkish UMTAS Missile Dropped From a Bayraktar Tactical Drone". Defense Update. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Amfibi Hücum Gemisi için tasarlanan Bayraktar TB3'ün özellikleri açıklandı". defenceturk.net. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021.
  13. ^ Eshel, Tamir (19 December 2015). "Turkish UMTAS Missile Dropped From a Bayraktar Tactical Drone | Defense Update". defense-update.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  14. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (2 March 2020). "Turkish Drones and Artillery Are Devastating Assad's Forces In Idlib Province-Here's Why". Forbes. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  15. ^ Frantzman, Seth J. (2 March 2020). "Turkish drones revolutionize Idlib conflict – analysis". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Roketsan's Smart Micro Guided Munitions Boost Effectiveness of UAVs". Asian Military Review. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Cırıt 2.75" Laser Guided Missile" (PDF). Roketsan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  18. ^ Bekdil, Burak Ege (8 August 2017). "Turkey To Outfit Drones with Local Mini Rocket". Defense News.
  19. ^ "TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY PRODUCT CATALOGUE". Ssb.gov.tr. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  20. ^ Mehmet, Fatih (23 January 2020). "Asisguard ve Tübitak Sage TOGAN'ı SONGAR'a entegre etti". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Kuzgun Modular Joint Ammunition Developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE Displayed". RayHaber | RaillyNews. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  22. ^ savunmatr. "KUZGUN'un turbojetli versiyonu 250 kilometreyi vuracak". Savunmatr.com/ (in Turkish). Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  23. ^ "TÜBİTAK SAGE Kuzgun Mühimmatı". Millisavunma.com (in Turkish). 21 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  24. ^ "KUZGUN Mühimmatlarının menzilleri açıklandı" (in Turkish). 7 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
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