(VIDEO) Bayraktar TB2 Becomes First Drone to Take Off and Land on a Short-Deck Flight Platform

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a groundbreaking achievement for global aviation, Türkiye’s Bayraktar TB3 STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) drone, developed by Baykar, has successfully executed take-off and landing operations from the world’s first “drone carrier,” the TCG Anadolu.

This marks the first operation of its kind for drones globally.

Commissioned in April last year, the TCG Anadolu Amphibious Assault Ship is the largest vessel in the Turkish Navy, with a total displacement exceeding 27,000 tonnes.

On November 19, the Bayraktar TB3 drone launched from the TCG Anadolu’s inclined runway, completing a 46-minute test flight over the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

This mission represents a significant milestone in global aviation and maritime technology.

The Bayraktar TB3’s ability to operate from TCG Anadolu’s 12-degree inclined short-deck platform showcases a major advancement in naval aviation.

Following successful deck-based flight tests, the Bayraktar TB3 has been officially cleared for operational deployment aboard the warship.

Unveiled to the public for the first time at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport during Türkiye’s premier technology event, Teknofest, held from April 27 to May 1 last year to commemorate the Republic of Türkiye’s centenary, the Bayraktar TB3 features advanced engineering tailored for maritime operations.

The UCAV is equipped with a more powerful engine developed by Türkiye’s defense industry, reinforced landing systems, and foldable wings, enabling seamless operations on drone carriers.

The Bayraktar TB3 has a wingspan of 14 meters and a body length of 8 meters. With a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,450 kg, it is powered by a PD170 engine generating 172 horsepower.

The drone boasts a range of 2,000 km and can operate continuously for up to 24 hours.

It features six hardpoints beneath its wings, allowing it to carry a variety of armaments, including anti-tank guided missiles, laser-guided rockets, and smart bombs.

The Bayraktar TB3 made its maiden flight at the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Center. Besides strike missions, it serves as an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) asset, equipped with Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) communication systems.

In addition to operating from drone carriers, the STOL-capable UCAV can also function from short ground runways, making it versatile for deployment in urban or remote settings.

Originally intended to operate fifth-generation F-35B VSTOL (Vertical Short Take-Off and Landing) fighters, the TCG Anadolu’s mission changed after Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 “Triumf” air defense system led to its exclusion from the F-35 program by the United States.

The deployment of Bayraktar TB3 on the TCG Anadolu provides Türkiye with a significant maritime edge, bolstering its ambitions as a regional power with enhanced power projection capabilities.

Looking ahead, the TCG Anadolu, Türkiye’s largest warship, is also expected to host the “Kızılelma” unmanned fighter jet, another cutting-edge development by Baykar, further solidifying Türkiye’s position in advanced defense technologies. — DSA